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If the ACA works, why does Pennsylvania need to prop it up?

During his budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro claimed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “is working for Pennsylvanians.” So, is he right? Judging by his 2025–26 budget plan, even the governor may doubt the ACA truly works for Pennsylvanians. If it’s working, why do rural hospitals need cash infusions? Shapiro proposes $10 million for rural hospitals and another $20 million for “hospital partners” for patient safety and services. Meanwhile, no evidence exists the ACA has slowed rural hospital closures. If it’s working, why is there a statewide care provider shortage? A fact ...

Avoid the unrealized-gains temptation

Prospects for a federal wealth tax could be nil in the Trump era, but states – specifically blue states – may be tempted to take up that cause, demonstrating the devastating effect that policy would have on citizens, businesses and the economy. Massachusetts went first, adopting a “millionaire tax” in 2022 that imposes a 4 percent surtax on taxable income over $1 million. State officials say the tax hauled in an impressive $1.8 billion in revenue as of May 2024. But the backlash may be coming. Stephen Gerard Pagliuca, a wealthy private equity adviser and co-owner of the ...

The mystery of farmers and Trump

What makes the devotion of farmers to Trump so remarkable is that even though Trump’s first term tariffs on imported goods devastated farmers financially nationwide, the margin of victory among American farmers in 2024 was higher than it was in 2016. China retaliated to Trump’s tariffs with tariffs of its own on American products including soybeans, pork, corn, wheat, and dairy. Foreign buyers bought agricultural products elsewhere. Soybean sales alone dropped by $3B in 2017. Many farmers experienced inadequate profit margins. Many others fell heavily into debt. And now that he is ...

Don’t punish cyber charters

Pennsylvania cyber charter schools are under attack for – of all things – not wastefully spending taxpayer money. The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General recently audited a sample of cyber charter schools. After examining five of the state’s 14 cyber charter schools, the auditor general released its findings. Opponents of cyber charters repeatedly point to their operating surplus of $365 million, claiming these schools hoard public dollars. As lawmakers prepare to negotiate the 2025–26 state budget, calls to defund cyber charters have reached a fevered pitch. But ...

Pennsylvania Supreme Court and GOP cannot be complacent

HARRISBURG -- Central Pennsylvania state Sen. Greg Rothman, the newly elected state Republican Party chairman, will face his first big challenge this year with the control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on the ballot. Rothman, who won the party chairmanship with overwhelming support in a 248-120 vote last month, will look to fill three state Supreme Court seats with three Democratic justices up for retention elections. The judicial elections are for 10-year terms. On the ballot is a yes-or-no for a position that has an oversized impact on the average person. Despite their power, ...

The mood among Israelis is defiant

The mood in Israel can only be described as defiant. As I write this, a mother and her two children, babies really, were supposed to be returned in their black coffins together with a fourth, an 84 year old grandpa. As it turned out, the terrorist group did not return the mother originally with her children but rather included a Palestinian woman. Finally, the terrorist did return Ms. Bibas. Hamas coffins on a stage in front of propaganda posters and stood around the boxes dressed in black with their faces masked. Such monstrous displays are barely condemned by most of the world. They ...