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Education
Fully funded public education must include cyber charters
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review When a parent says that a public school isn’t what it used to be, the implication is usually bad. But for Brenda Jesky,…
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Education
Shapiro Failed on School Choice—Again. There’s Hope Despite Him
Read More: Shapiro Failed on School Choice—Again. There’s Hope Despite Him![pa education funding](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iStock-1000887536-900x836.jpg)
Education
Education Needs More Choices—Not More Money
Read More: Education Needs More Choices—Not More MoneyEducation
Lawmakers & Businesses Can Rescue Students Now
If lawmakers were in any doubt about how dire Pennsylvania's education crisis has become, they need only look to Harrisburg mother Taisha Bartow and her 5-year-old daughter, Alayaisha.
Commentary
Read More: Lawmakers & Businesses Can Rescue Students NowCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania’s Blueprint for Better Public Safety
As Pennsylvania confronts another tight budget, Governor Corbett and legislative leaders must address the skyrocketing costs of prisons. Obviously, there are dangerous people who should be locked up to protect…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Blueprint for Better Public SafetyState Budget
Limit Growth of Government to Protect Taxpayers
We must face a simple fact: The General Assembly will act only when it has no alternative. Therefore, the only way to restrain spending and avoid hitting the fiscal iceberg…
Commentary
Read More: Limit Growth of Government to Protect TaxpayersCriminal Justice Reform
Commonsense Can Correct Corrections
Kyle, a convicted burglar sentenced to 1-3 years in Pennsylvania state prison, was granted parole in June 2011, but spent an extra 100 days in jail, not because he failed…
Commentary
Read More: Commonsense Can Correct CorrectionsGovernment Accountability
Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!
You've surely heard it said that you and I have a right to vote. Well, I believe we also have a responsibility—not just to vote, but to cast an informed…
Commentary
Read More: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!Regulation
Government-run Golf a Taxpayer Double Bogey
Believe it or not, local governments, i.e., taxpayers, own 49 golf courses in Pennsylvania. One of the poorest performers is Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, owned by Dauphin County taxpayers, which…
Commentary
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Pennsylvania Legislative Candidate Survey 2012
This year, Pennsylvania voters will go to the polls to elect 203 men and women to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and 25 members to the Pennsylvania Senate. To help…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Legislative Candidate Survey 2012Education
Education Spending: The Rest of the Story
Since Gov. Corbett's budget proposal, those who profit from Pennsylvania's $26 billion a year public school system have been gnashing teeth over what they claim is an "underfunding" of the…
Commentary
Read More: Education Spending: The Rest of the StoryHealth Care
Change We Can’t Afford
This week, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act celebrated its two-year anniversary before the U.S. Supreme Court. The controversial health care law finds itself in front of the highest…
Commentary
Read More: Change We Can’t AffordPublic Union Democracy
Public Schools Can Do More with Less – If We Let Them
As families across Pennsylvania try to figure out how to do more with less in this difficult economy, our local public schools must also do the same. But unlike fiscally…
Commentary
Read More: Public Schools Can Do More with Less – If We Let ThemTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Fork in the Road on Transportation Spending
Motorists frustrated with high gas prices should be on the alert—your pain at the pump could get worse, and it has nothing to do with Middle East tensions or gas…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Fork in the Road on Transportation SpendingRegulation
Sounding the Alarm to Save Pennsylvania
A four-alarm fire is engulfing Pennsylvania's economy. If we don't regain control of the state debt, corrections costs, public welfare growth and government employee pensions, our state taxpayers will be…
Commentary
Read More: Sounding the Alarm to Save PennsylvaniaState Budget
Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy
It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our…
Commentary
Read More: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s EconomyEnergy
Memo on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee “Deal”
Memo from Matthew Brouillette to Pennsylvania General Assembly on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee "Deal."…
Commentary
Read More: Memo on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee “Deal”Regulation
Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?
As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners…
Commentary
Read More: Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?Taxes & Economy
Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, Taxpayers
Regardless of where you stand on taxpayer-funded entitlements, few Americans argue against the maintenance of temporary safety nets or modifications aimed at ending welfare fraud, waste and abuse.
Commentary
Read More: Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, TaxpayersEducation
A Decade Left Behind
My first career started a few decades ago in the classroom as a high school history teacher. While much has changed since then – including the use of technology and…
Commentary
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Why Gov. Corbett Didn’t Get His Christmas Wish List
For Christmas this year, Gov. Tom Corbett hoped the legislature would gift wrap three things he could tie a bow on: An education reform package that included school vouchers, state…
Commentary
Read More: Why Gov. Corbett Didn’t Get His Christmas Wish List
PLCB Must End Costly Mission Conflict
Sadly, a recent Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board campaign sent just the opposite message to women across the state. The PLCB launched an ad campaign and Web site called Control Tonight to warn of the…
Commentary
Read More: PLCB Must End Costly Mission ConflictEducation
What Will You See in 17 Minutes?
Seventeen minutes is a small sliver of time for most people. In those few moments, most people could take a shower, prepare a meal, or watch half a sitcom. But…
Commentary
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