Allegheny Institute for Public Policy
Encyclopedia
The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy is a think tank
based in Western Pennsylvania
. Using its expertise in economic development
, tax increment financing
, and eminent domain
, it works with property owners and taxpayers to bring free market
solutions to local government
. The Institute performs detailed research on local policy issues, then publishes its findings in reports and policy briefs. Unlike many think tanks, it actively promotes its findings by providing this information to local policy makers.
The Institute has frequently asked governments to show that the benefits of proposed public projects outweigh their costs, and to evaluate social services projects on their outcomes basis rather than their inputs. This advocacy of improved business and regulatory environments goes counter to what they call the region's traditional political machine
approaches.
The institute was founded in 1995. In 1997, its activities contributed substantially to the defeat of a proposed regional tax referendum to fund the construction of sports stadiums.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
based in Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
. Using its expertise in economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, tax increment financing
Tax increment financing
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a public financing method which has been used as a subsidy for redevelopment and community improvement projects in many countries including the United States for more than 50 years...
, and eminent domain
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
, it works with property owners and taxpayers to bring free market
Free market
A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts...
solutions to local government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
. The Institute performs detailed research on local policy issues, then publishes its findings in reports and policy briefs. Unlike many think tanks, it actively promotes its findings by providing this information to local policy makers.
The Institute has frequently asked governments to show that the benefits of proposed public projects outweigh their costs, and to evaluate social services projects on their outcomes basis rather than their inputs. This advocacy of improved business and regulatory environments goes counter to what they call the region's traditional political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
approaches.
The institute was founded in 1995. In 1997, its activities contributed substantially to the defeat of a proposed regional tax referendum to fund the construction of sports stadiums.