Public Union Democracy

Pension Debt Grows by Another Billion

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 3, 2016

Last week the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) announced its total unfunded liability increased from $18.44 billion in 2015 to $18.79 billion. In truth, SERS'…

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Education

Making the Most of New Funding Formula

  • James Paul
  • April 27, 2016

A recent report from ABC 27 asks: “Will lawmakers stick with new education funding formula next year?” At issue is whether Pennsylvania’s student-based formula will be retained in…

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State Budget

Middle Class Loses Under Gov. Wolf’s Budget

  • April 26, 2016

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released a sober analysis of Gov. Wolf’s 2016-17 budget proposal. It examines the consequences of eight separate tax increases as well as a minimum…

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Education

Budget Complete as Fiscal Code Becomes Law

  • James Paul
  • April 25, 2016

Late on Friday afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf quietly announced the fiscal code will become law without his signature. This significant development closes the door on a tumultuous year of…

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Government Accountability

Tomorrow’s Two Ballot Questions for Every Party

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 25, 2016

Tomorrow's primary election is largely a partisan affair in which only registered Republicans or Democrats can vote for the presidential nominee and nominees for state office. But there is one…

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Taxes & Economy

(Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day!

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 22, 2016

(Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day! If you thought Tax Day was April 15, think again. Today, April 22, is actually the day by which Pennsylvanians…

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Regulation

How Ridesharing Helps the Poor and Disabled

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 22, 2016

Earlier this week, I used Uber to get a ride in downtown Philadelphia. Curious, I asked my driver how long he’d been driving for Uber. “Two years,” he told me,…

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Education

Changing Lives with Education Savings Accounts

  • James Paul
  • April 20, 2016

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) empower parents to personalize the academic experience for their children, as CF explains in a recent policy brief. But ESAs are about more than school…

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State Budget

Take the Budget off Autopilot

  • April 18, 2016

As Pennsylvania inches closer to another budget battle, you’re likely to hear the term “structural deficit” used more often. The term is defined as a multi-year shortfall between projected spending and revenue…

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