Archive
PSEA sending $21K to Wisconsin as part of recall effort
Part of last minute $1.1 million push by public sector unions in Badger State
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
MADISON — Union dues from Pennsylvania public school teachers will be going to work for the ouster of … Read the rest
PA politicos eye even higher income taxes if property taxes killed
Funding potential in question
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Exchanging school property taxes for hikes in other taxes could come with a bigger increase in personal income tax for Pennsylvania wage earners than previously suggested.… Read the rest
PA gambling tax revenue highest in the country
Property tax relief hovers
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Every dollar in the slot machine adds 55 cents to Pennsylvania’s tax revenue, contributing to the largest pot of gambling tax revenue in the nation.… Read the rest
Week in Review: PA May revenue below estimates
Pension reform talk resurfaces
By PA Independent Staff
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania state government ends May with revenue collections are still below year-to-date estimates, but other business proceeds as usual.… Read the rest
PA gov allies call out background of attack ad maker
Jackson: I'm not the issue
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Partisan politics are in full swing after the release of TV ads attacking Republican Gov. Tom Corbett for failing to stand up for middle-income earners.… Read the rest
New database tracking PA welfare spending
Data includes prescription spending, doctors fees
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare on Thursday announced a new “transparency portal,” which gives users information on department spending.… Read the rest
PA pension reform for future employees not enough
Funding, liabilities still at issue
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Senate Republicans are thinking long term: Halt the pension crisis by changing the pension system.… Read the rest
PAC takes aim at Corbett’s PA record
Ad to air statewide
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The gubernatorial election is still two years away, but Gov. Tom Corbett’s record is hitting the airwaves.… Read the rest
Out-of-state food stamp recipients stamped out by PA
About 650 cases of fraud found as asset test takes effect
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – The state Department of Public Welfare removed more than 600 people from the food stamp rolls this week after … Read the rest
GOP senators to introduce PA pension reform bill
Would move all future employees to 401(k) plans
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Future state and public school employees will not be eligible for the state's existing public pension system that is more than $35 … Read the rest
Bill to clarify Act 47 arbitration moving through Pennsylvania Senate
Lawmakers, local officials call for more change
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Future reform to Pennsylvania’s plan for cities in dire straits begins with a single word choice — "award" or "settlement."… Read the rest
PA lawmakers hold budget spending to TABOR cap
What would a Taxpayer Bill of Rights mean for Pennsylvania?
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — In announcing the state Senate’s decision to increase next year’s budget by about $500 million, state Sen. Jake … Read the rest
Week in Review: House positions budget for final passage
Proposed school tax plan receives opposition
By PA Independent Staff
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Legislature took a host of actions this week, ranging from making headway toward finalizing next year's spending plan to introducing ways to improve government efficiency.… Read the rest
COMMENTARY: PA pensions infect budget talks this year and years to come
Corbett, Corman say changes needed, but it’s too late for near future
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The most obvious lesson of this year’s budget process is one lawmakers should have learned years ago.
PA may take over school districts in fiscal chaos
Leaves Philadelphia out, blocks districts from declaring bankruptcy
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s four most financially distressed school districts could be facing a state takeover, and more districts may be on the way.… Read the rest
PA wants localities to monitor parking meters
Bill seeks to shrink state government
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Municipalities, not the state, may be inspecting parking meters, a move to shrink Pennsylvania government and exercise local authority, but raises concern how well those nickels and … Read the rest
Auditor: Hundreds of thousands spent to boot superintendents
Buy-outs exceed $889K
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania called out two more school districts for paying hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars to discharge contracts.… Read the rest
House Dems file brief supporting voter ID challenge
Argue law oversteps authority of the General Assembly
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Fifty House Democrats signed a brief Wednesday supporting a challenge to Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law.… Read the rest
House unanimously passes bill to end ‘triple dipping’
Senate to consider bill in June
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation Wednesday to keep pension collectors from “triple dipping” into Pennsylvania's unemployment funds, a practice that cost the … Read the rest
Casinos depressing lottery sales as Corbett administration considers privatization
Report shows greater impact in counties with casinos
By: Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Rapid growth in Pennsylvania’s casino revenue has suppressed lottery sales in the state as more options become available for residents eager to … Read the rest