Commentary

Budget 2016-17: Spend-first, Tax-later

• August 15, 2016

“We want to agree on a general appropriations bill, and then we'll get to work on how to pay for it.” That’s not how budgeting should work—just ask any family…

Commentary

Budget 2016-17: Spend-first, Tax-later

• August 15, 2016

“We want to agree on a general appropriations bill, and then we'll get to work on how to pay for it.” That’s not how budgeting should work—just ask any family…

Commentary

Chart of the Month Aug-Sept

• August 15, 2016

On of these Pa. growth rates is not like the others…

Commentary

Chart of the Month Aug-Sept

• August 15, 2016

On of these Pa. growth rates is not like the others…

Commentary

Did you Hear Aug-Sept

• August 15, 2016

Since 2001, the EITC has been a pillar of school choice in the commonwealth, allowing K-12 students to receive financial aid to attend schools that best fit their needs.

Commentary

Did you Hear Aug-Sept

• August 15, 2016

Since 2001, the EITC has been a pillar of school choice in the commonwealth, allowing K-12 students to receive financial aid to attend schools that best fit their needs.

Commentary

Note from the Team Aug-Sept

• August 15, 2016

On July 1, we were thrilled to officially welcome Jane Leader Janeczek, a Democrat and the daughter of former Governor George Leader, as Commonwealth Foundation’s Board Chair.

Commentary

Note from the Team Aug-Sept

• August 15, 2016

On July 1, we were thrilled to officially welcome Jane Leader Janeczek, a Democrat and the daughter of former Governor George Leader, as Commonwealth Foundation’s Board Chair.

Commentary

Commonwealth Insight

• August 10, 2016

Commonwealth Insight is the podcast of the Commonwealth Foundation. Every other week, we'll post new episodes featuring leaders and influencers in our state and country. Subscribe on iTunes, SoundCloud, Google…

Commentary

How Entrepreneurs Impact Public Policy

• August 1, 2016

In the inaugural episode of Commonwealth Insight, we talk with Evan Baehr, president and co-founder of Able lending and co-author of the book Get Backed. Then, Matt Brouillette joins the…

Commentary

Criminal Justice Reform

Keystone Criminal Justice

• Charles Mitchell
• July 19, 2016

As lifelong conservatives, we’re proud to call ourselves tough on crime and to support lengthy prison terms for dangerous felons. But after a long, taxpayer-funded era of mass incarceration, it’s…

Commentary

Regulation

‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed Budgeting

• Nathan Benefield
• July 8, 2016

As it stands, this budget leaves families trapped in a game of tax roulette—praying their taxes don’t go up this year. Next year, let’s hope taxpayers don’t have to choose…

Commentary

Criminal Justice Reform

My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s Board

• June 30, 2016

How did a registered Democrat and the daughter of former Democratic Governor George Leader find a place on Commonwealth Foundation’s Board? …

Commentary

State Budget

Harrisburg Should Curb Waste, Not Fund It

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 21, 2016

What do waking up, driving to work, and stopping at Starbucks have in common? Each of these seemingly mundane activities is impacted by state taxes. It’s time to break this…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension Iceberg

• Richard Dreyfuss
• June 17, 2016

As Pennsylvania continues approaching the public pension iceberg at full speed, how can we avoid a collision? Simply put, through reforms that mirror steps taken by the private sector years…

Commentary

Government Accountability

A Superhero President? Dream On

• Nathan Benefield
• June 13, 2016

Note: This commentary appeared in the Lancaster LNP, among other news outlets. If the thought of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in the Oval Office frightens you, you’re not…

Commentary

Note from the Team June-July

• June 12, 2016

A lot of changes are coming to the Commonwealth Foundation—and our newly expanded Commonwealth Sense is one of them! In this issue we’ll share more about the upcoming transitions in…

Commentary

Note from the Team June-July

• June 12, 2016

A lot of changes are coming to the Commonwealth Foundation—and our newly expanded Commonwealth Sense is one of them! In this issue we’ll share more about the upcoming transitions in…

Commentary

Ghost Teachers

• May 31, 2016

Union work on school time—it's a provision called "release time" in most school district contracts with the teachers union. Teachers are allowed to leave the classroom to do work for a…

Commentary

Energy

Philly Should Reject Mayor’s Tax-a-Cola Plan

• Matthew Brouillette
• May 10, 2016

Mayor Kenney’s soda tax would nearly double the average cost of a 12-pack of soda – hitting hardest those who least can afford it, not to mention small retailers, bottlers,…

Commentary

Regulation

Time to End Corporate Welfare Handouts

• Nathan Benefield
• April 27, 2016

Conservatives loathe government handouts. Liberals denounce special favors to corporations. One thing can unify these two sides: ending Pennsylvania’s budget-busting corporate welfare handouts.

Commentary