Education
House Speaker Seeks Boost for Vital Scholarship Programs
Pennsylvania’s private school scholarship programs account for less than 2 percent of the $11 billion in state funds allocated for public schools. Yet it is impossible to overstate the…
Media
Read More: House Speaker Seeks Boost for Vital Scholarship ProgramsRegulation
Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the Hook
In the past six years, Pennsylvania taxpayers’ unfunded pension liability has more than doubled from less than $30 billion to $63 billion. While the legislative debate over reform continues, Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the HookEducation
Is Your District Hiking Taxes While Piling Up Large Reserves?
In June, CF published a searchable database showing fund balance data for each of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts as of 2015. Given the recent…
Media
Read More: Is Your District Hiking Taxes While Piling Up Large Reserves?Education
How Does Pennsylvania Stack up in School Revenue?
The National Center for Education Statistics recently released 2013-14 figures on revenues and expenditures for U.S. public schools. How does Pennsylvania stack up when it comes to funding? On a…
Media
Read More: How Does Pennsylvania Stack up in School Revenue?Regulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016
Pennsylvania’s state budget is three months old and showing signs of a major budget deficit. Actual revenue collections are already behind $218.5 million through the first quarter, according to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016Criminal Justice Reform
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Effort Gutted
North Philadelphian Carol Johnson* saved $2,000 from her pension checks by storing the money in an upstairs bedroom. One day, the 87 year old's savings vanished in a matter…
Media
Read More: Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Effort GuttedGovernment Accountability
Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions
In a recent interview with Stephanie Renee, host of WURD AM’s The Mojo, Nathan Benefield discussed the roots of Pennsylvania’s pension crisis and how to fix it. Pension debt has stacked up…
Media
Read More: Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions
Podcast: Matthew Spalding
All men are created equal. This simple idea—just five words—changes world history, according to Matthew Spalding, author of We Still Hold These Truths and Associate Vice President and Dean of…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Matthew SpaldingPublic Union Democracy
Top Ten Recipients of Government Union Contributions
Election season is in full swing, but so is the fall legislative session. This time of year elected officials walk a narrow line to avoid the illegal practice of using…
Media
Read More: Top Ten Recipients of Government Union Contributions