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State Archive
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Free Speech Rights Under Constant Threat
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Considering our audience, perhaps it seems unnecessary to quote what is [...] -
The Marcellus Shale Issue Today
As introduced in a previous article, the issue of Marcellus Shale continues to occupy not only media outlets, but the topic has also reached the Governor’s desk and is the talk of many rural towns. New information and rumors seem to appear daily, but on the political and environmental fronts, battle lines have been drawn. Even [...] -
Corbett’s Budget Retains Wasteful Film Tax Credit
In the era of soaring deficits and talk of imposing “austerity” on the public, one has to wonder if there are other expenditures in state budgets that could be eliminated to at least lessen the impact of cuts in wages and services. It turns out there are and one example is the film subsidies that [...] -
A Pitt Student’s Take on Corbett’s Budget Proposal
As most of our readers likely know, Governor Tom Corbett released a budget proposal last week that would cut state funding to four state-related universities by about half. Under this proposal, the University of Pittsburgh would receive $80.2 million next year in sharp contrast to the $160.5 million it received this year. Within hours of this [...] -
Food Safety Bill Will Hurt Pennsylvanians
Over the past few years, there have been multiple food safety issues involving everything from peanut butter to lettuce to eggs. In response to these issues, Congress recently passed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in a supposed attempt to get safety concerns under control. This legislation requires more frequent inspections of, seeks to establish new [...] -
It’s Time to Privatize the Sale of Wine, Liquor and Beer in PA
Where and when alcohol can be purchased in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the subject of constant legal battles, generally between existing monopolies, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and enterprising businesses trying to work around the state monopoly in order to sell beer to their patrons in grocery and convenience stores. The current system dates back [...] -
Expansion of Castle Doctrine Necessary to Protect Liberty in PA
As free citizens, our greatest personal property is our own lives and, therefore, our most important liberty as free citizens is the liberty to protect our lives both in our own homes and in the public sphere. This right is enshrined in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which, when listing “inherent and indefeasible [...] -
Marcellus Shale 101
Marcellus Shale is a prominent issue in Pennsylvania. Known as the “Marcellus Shale play,” this natural resource, like any other energy source, spurs concern and debate in the arenas of economics, environmentalism, and politics. Before these issues are addressed, we must first look at the basics of the situation. Marcellus Shale formations lay five to nine [...] -
Environmental Organization Peddles Unconstitutional Laws Across PA
The advocacy organization that wrote proposed legislation banning natural gas drilling in the City of Pittsburgh has a history of writing illegal laws and losing court cases in Pennsylvania, the Post-Gazette reported. Most recently, this organization, the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), lost a court battle over ordinances passed by the Blaine Township Board of [...] -
Marcellus Shale Development Will Create New Opportunities, Expand Liberties
The expansion of personal and economic liberty in Western Pennsylvania cannot occur without the strengthening and expansion of the private sector. Currently, the public sector enjoys such a significant economic advantage nationally and locally that it is impossible for voluntary economic relationships to flourish without the government overseeing and intruding upon them. Perhaps the greatest natural [...]