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Energy

Pennsylvania Energy Returns to the National Spotlight—No Thanks to Governor Shapiro

• July 16, 2025

Yesterday, lawmakers and business executives convened in Pittsburgh to celebrate Pennsylvania’s bright future—all thanks to the commonwealth’s robust energy sector. The event, titled the “Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit,”…

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Education

Teacher Unions Limiting Opportunities for Students

• Common Sense Weekly
• July 11, 2025

Welcome to the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Follow us on X for the latest updates – and help…

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What is Going on in Philadelphia Schools?

• July 10, 2025

Something stinks in Philadelphia, and it’s more than just the mountains of garbage piling up from the recently resolved trash collectors’ strike. The Philadelphia School District has been all over…

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Nobody to Blame but Himself

• Common Sense Weekly
• July 3, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

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Health Care

Medicaid Myth Busting: How Pennsylvania Can Reform and Protect the Program

• July 2, 2025

Gov. Josh Shapiro wants Pennsylvanians to fear Medicaid reform, claiming “hundreds of thousands” will lose coverage. “There are no dollars available at the state level to make up for these…

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State Budget

Pennsylvania Missed the Budget Deadline—and Shapiro Has Nobody to Blame but Himself

• July 1, 2025

Once again, Pennsylvania lawmakers missed the state budget deadline. This marks the third consecutive budget deadline that Gov. Josh Shapiro has missed. So, who is to blame? Shapiro, of course,…

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Voters Are Concerned About Shapiro’s Spending

• Common Sense Weekly
• June 27, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

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Education

Six Reasons Why Hold Harmless is Anything But for Kids

• Rachel Langan
• June 26, 2025

Hold harmless is a policy that guarantees school districts the same amount of funding as they had in the prior year, regardless of fluctuations in enrollment. This means that public school…

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Education

Philly Teacher Union Threatening to Strike is Mostly Performative

• David Osborne
• June 24, 2025

Philadelphia’s massive teacher union—the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)—has already threatened to disrupt students’ education when the doors open this fall. Just a few months into negotiations over a new…

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Where is Shapiro’s Leadership?

• Common Sense Weekly
• June 20, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

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Pennsylvania Labor Policies Rank Low Nationally

• June 16, 2025

Pennsylvania labor policies rank among the lowest nationally, according to a new report. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) published States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America,…

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Is Shapiro Serving Students or His Union Backers?

• Common Sense Weekly
• June 13, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

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Public Union Democracy

Shapiro, Fetterman Talk Out of Both Sides of Their Mouths About U.S. Steel

• June 12, 2025

The recent news of a new multibillion-dollar deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel has many celebrating. Even Sen. John Fetterman and Gov. Josh Shapiro cheered. Yet, these high-profile Pennsylvania…

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A New Chapter: Announcing the Thomas E. Beach Center

• June 11, 2025

This week marks an important milestone for the Commonwealth Foundation, with the opening and dedication of its new headquarters. The Thomas E. Beach Center, a three-story building located just steps…

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Shapiro Still Not Getting Stuff Done

• Common Sense Weekly
• June 6, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

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Energy

Pennsylvania Voters Reject Governor Shapiro’s Green Energy Boondoggle

• June 5, 2025

On Monday, a Pennsylvania House committee passed part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s broader energy plans. However, the proposed legislation is both politically unpopular and economically devastating to the commonwealth. The…

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Education

Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t Done

• June 4, 2025

Heading into his third budget negotiation, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official slogan starkly contrasts with his legislative accomplishments. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis found Shapiro’s first two-and-a-half years…

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Education

Universal School Choice Attracts More Educational Alternatives

• May 28, 2025

If you build it, they will come. “It” is an educational framework that empowers students and families to choose the best school for their needs. “They” are the private schools…

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Energy

Shapiro’s Energy Proposals Would Harm Pennsylvania, New Study Asserts

• May 27, 2025

Energy is Pennsylvania’s competitive advantage. However, two proposed climate-related programs will harm the Keystone State economically and fail to provide any meaningful environmental benefits, according to…

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Shapiro’s Spending Spree vs. Fiscal Reality

• Common Sense Weekly
• May 23, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

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Education

Federal Lawmakers Flirt with Universal School Choice

• May 19, 2025

During a rally in Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump promised to support universal school choice. And with the possible passage of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), he might…

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