State Budget

A Broken Promise Could Break the Bank

  • March 20, 2015

During the gubernatorial campaign, Tom Wolf promised not to raise taxes on middle class Pennsylvanians. Despite this promise, the governor proposed a budget including the largest tax increase in…

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Education

Pennsylvania’s Charter Law: Room to Improve

  • James Paul
  • March 18, 2015

Pennsylvania’s charter school law received its 2015 report card, and unfortunately it will not earn a place on the refrigerator. The commonwealth earned a “C” grade from the…

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Education

Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 18, 2015

Shortly after graduation, Dominique took a job at one of Philadelphia’s most challenging turnaround high schools, University City. After one very successful year the district experienced significant layoffs…

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Education

Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again

  • James Paul
  • March 16, 2015

Much has been made of recent comments from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding school funding in Pennsylvania. According to Duncan, Pennsylvania's families are “being shortchanged when…

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Education

The Case for More Educational Choice in Philadelphia

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • March 13, 2015

Will’s family thought he was one of the chosen few: A Philadelphia student who managed to secure a seat at the high-performing Christopher Columbus Charter School. But…

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State Budget

Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans Out

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 13, 2015

One third of the $675 million in new corporate welfare under Governor's Wolf budget proposal is reserved for alternative energy programs. In this week's House budget hearings Community & Economic…

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State Budget

Wolf’s Tax Plan: Three Things Every Family Needs to Know

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2015

Here are three things to know about Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax plan: Wolf’s budget calls for a net tax increase of about $1,400 more per family of four this year (with…

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State Budget

Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad Budget

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • March 11, 2015

Gov. Wolf’s budget plan spends taxpayers’ money at $1,000 per second and would burden a family of four with an additional $1,419 in taxes at a time when Pennsylvanians…

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Taxes & Economy

Families Benefit from Natural Gas Without Tax

  • Gordon Tomb
  • March 10, 2015

Of the many tax hikes in Gov. Wolf’s  budget proposal, the natural gas severance tax on the surface seems less damaging to Pennsylvania families. But a severance tax could hit…

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