Education
Pennsylvania’s Education Tax Credit Scholarships: How EITC Serves Children and Families in the Commonwealth
Key Findings Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) are state tax credit programs that give thousands of low- to middle- income students access to…
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Education Tax Credit Scholarships: How EITC Serves Children and Families in the CommonwealthPennsylvania’s future is in the hands of the next generation. Parents and students—not activist agendas—should drive the Commonwealth’s education policy. While policymakers have been entrusted with ensuring the next generation receives a quality education, parents should be empowered to choose the quality education that meets their unique child’s needs. Charter schools and tax credit scholarships are integral pieces of school choice, but more reforms are needed to make school choice a reality for all Pennsylvania students.
Education
Don’t ignore the destructive ideas coming out of Harrisburg
Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s a presidential election year, with voters riveted on national politics and issues. Inflation — caused by federal deficit spending — and immigration consistently…
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Charles Mitchell | On Offense in Pennsylvania
Charles Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Commonwealth Foundation. Charles grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs in a family of railroaders, teachers, and small…
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Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal A lot of bad plans on how to make higher education affordable exist. There is Gov. Josh Shapiro’s vague “blueprint,” which lacks…
Media Hit
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Nate Benefield on The Dawn Stensland Show: Common Ground Poll Breakdown
The juxtaposition between the lack of support for Shapiro’s budget proposal (29%) and the massive support for his unfulfilled campaign promises—like Lifeline Scholarships (77%), lowering the business tax rate (81%),…
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Letter to the Editor – Educational Options
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer The fight over educational choice is frustratingly politicized. Both sides duke it out in the public square, while students remain trapped in crumbling…
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Cutting cyber funding hurts Pennsylvania students
Originally published in The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to cut funding to cyber charter schools. Other lawmakers, such as state Sen. Lindsey Williams, are seeking a moratorium on…
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Lawmakers’ ‘Grow PA’ Proposal Offers Serious Solutions for Higher Education
Harrisburg, Pa., April 11, 2024 — Yesterday, Pennsylvania Sens. Scott Martin, Ryan Aument, David Argall, and Tracy Pennycuick and Reps. Jesse Topper and Rob Mercuri introduced “Grow PA,” a higher…
Press Release
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Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Inflation-Weary Voters Oppose Higher State Spending and Taxes
Harrisburg, Pa., April 9, 2024 — Inflation tops the list of Pennsylvania voter concerns in a new survey released today by the Commonwealth Foundation. The poll found taxpayers are weary of state…
Press Release
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Governor’s campaign slogans won’t fix Pa.
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Though elected in 2022, Gov. Josh Shapiro remains stuck in campaign mode, offering one empty platitude after another while avoiding the hard work…
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Season 2, Episode 2 Featuring Keisha Jordan, President and CEO at Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
An advocate turned school choice advocate, Keisha Jordan is a woman on a mission. In this episode of School Choice Report, host David Hardy and Ms. Jordan discuss charter school…
Podcast
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Commonwealth Foundation Launches Billboards Spotlighting Need for Lifeline Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., April 1, 2024 — The Commonwealth Foundation today launched several digital billboards across Philadelphia promoting the Lifeline Scholarship Program that would allow students to escape Pennsylvania’s lowest-performing schools. Kicking…
Press Release
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It’s the year of school choice, as is every year to follow
Originally published at LNP Those involved in the educational freedom movement often proclaim, “This is our year.” Yet, we can’t agree on which year that is. Forbes and the…
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How I became an advocate for school choice
Originally published at Broad + Liberty School choice opponents typically have never needed or wanted an alternative to public schools. I should know: I was one of them. As…
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Higher Education in Pennsylvania
Summary Pennsylvania owns and operates 10 universities under the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE); subsidizes four state-related universities (which function as public-private partnerships); 15 community…
Fact Sheet
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Lies, damn lies, and two weeks to flatten the curve
Originally published at Broad + Liberty March 13: the fourth anniversary of Pennsylvania’s “two weeks to flatten the curve.” Governor Tom Wolf issued his first executive order, closing all…
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Season 2 Premier featuring Professor Robert Strauss
Get ready to dive into the electrifying SEASON 2 premiere of School Choice Report! Join your host, the dynamic David Hardy, as he engages in a riveting conversation with none…
Podcast
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Gov. Shapiro’s budget shoves Pennsylvania in the wrong direction
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania’s population is shrinking as working-age families move away to other states. State policymakers’ most important challenge is how to make our commonwealth…
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If Josh Shapiro wants to compete with Ohio, he needs to imitate Ohio
Originally published at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gov. Josh Shapiro is right: Pennsylvania is losing to Ohio. In the last two years, Pennsylvania witnessed a net loss of 2,425 residents and…
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, Pa., February 8, 2024 — The spending increases proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his recently released 2024 budget proposal “would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on…
Press Release
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Key Takeaways from Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Key Points Gov. Josh Shapiro’s startling spending increases and myriad of new initiatives would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on working families in the coming years.
Backgrounder
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Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Demonstrates Startling Fiscal Irresponsibility
Harrisburg, Pa., February 6, 2024 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2024 Pennsylvania budget address in the Capitol rotunda. His speech, lasting approximately an hour and a half, included proposals…
Press Release
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