Many Pennsylvanians face chronic unemployment, welfare dependency, and the cycle of poverty. This happens because labor incentives have been overridden by bad policies that keep millions out of the workforce and enact excessive red tape. We can reverse this trend by ending the practice of waiving work requirements on able-bodied Pennsylvanians with no dependents, removing barriers to employment for those seeking a fresh start, and creating a healthcare system without burdensome regulations.

Criminal Justice Reform

Legislation Moves to Reform Licensing Laws for Citizens with Criminal Records

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 16, 2020

With a unanimous committee vote, the state House has opened the door to prosperity for 3 million Pennsylvanians. This week, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee passed legislation helping incarcerated citizens…

Media

Read More: Legislation Moves to Reform Licensing Laws for Citizens with Criminal Records

Education

Understanding Back on Track ESAs

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 12, 2020

Key Points Pennsylvania children lost months of schooling—many without access to educational resources. Families are bearing increased expenses from at-home learning. Back on Track Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) will help…

Media

Read More: Understanding Back on Track ESAs

Criminal Justice Reform

Pa. Tackles Two New Law Enforcement Reforms

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 12, 2020

Pennsylvanians are voicing their concern on policing reform. Encouragingly, lawmakers are listening to constituents and pursuing meaningful, balanced policing reform.

Commentary

Read More: Pa. Tackles Two New Law Enforcement Reforms

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an Apology

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 4, 2020

Gov. Wolf called local officials, job creators, and workers “cowards” and “deserters” for assessing local risks and daring to think for themselves.

Commentary

Read More: Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an Apology

Health Care

How Bad are April’s Unemployment Numbers for Pa?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 22, 2020

More than 15% of Pennsylvania workers were unemployed—the highest level on record—according to U.S. Department of Labor data released today. More than 1.1 million payroll jobs were lost since February,…

Media

Read More: How Bad are April’s Unemployment Numbers for Pa?

Health Care

Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 12, 2020

For restaurant owners in Pennsylvania, the new release Too Hot To Handle is more than pure entertainment, the winnings are almost enough for them to purchase an elusive liquor license. …

Commentary

Read More: Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

Government Accountability

Pa. Shutdown Revolt Met with Threats from Governor

  • Charles Mitchell
  • May 11, 2020

May 11, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — After this weekend's news that at least eight counties in Pennsylvania would no longer participate in the governor's reopening directives, Gov. Wolf has…

Press Release

Read More: Pa. Shutdown Revolt Met with Threats from Governor

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2020

Wolf should take state lawmakers’ advice and bring transparency and fairness to Pennsylvania’s reopening — along with a sense of urgency. In doing so, he can continue flattening the curve…

Commentary

Read More: Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods

Health Care

Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Should Always be Crisis Ready

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 6, 2020

COVID-19 has done its part to highlight the weaknesses of Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector. Primarily, what has been revealed is a lack of flexibility, and regulations that make it difficult to…

Report

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Should Always be Crisis Ready

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at risk

  • Kevin Mooney
  • May 5, 2020

Industry leaders who are directly affected by the governor’s orders do not dispute that Wolf has authority to take action aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19. But it’s that…

Commentary

Read More: Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at risk

Health Care

Breaking Down Barriers Following COVID-19

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 1, 2020

COVID-19 has kept many Pennsylvanians from frequenting the neighborhood coffee shops, nail salons, or retailers they once took for granted. But that’s not the real tragedy—even after stay at home…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Breaking Down Barriers Following COVID-19

Health Care

Top 10 Corona Virus FAQ’s for Pennsylvanians

  • April 30, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread to Pennsylvania, we’ve been deluged with questions about what state government is doing. Below are the top 10 questions we’ve been asked with our quick…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Top 10 Corona Virus FAQ’s for Pennsylvanians

Government Accountability

Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Tirzah Duren
  • April 24, 2020

Governor Wolf continues to take positive steps toward a safe and gradual opening of the Pennsylvania economy because lawmakers continue to advance good policy that protects lives and livelihoods.

Memo

Read More: Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.

Health Care

Is it Easier to Be Tiger King Than Buy Booze in Pennsylvania?

  • Tirzah Duren
  • April 21, 2020

For Pennsylvanians, mixing up their favorite cocktail and following the adventures of an off-the-wall zoo owner named Joe Exotic might be easier said than done. State-run liquor stores shut down…

Commentary

Read More: Is it Easier to Be Tiger King Than Buy Booze in Pennsylvania?

Government Accountability

Wolf Makes Reopening Concessions, but Stops Short of Transparency

  • April 20, 2020

April 20, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Governor Wolf vetoed a bill, SB 613, that would have brought clarity to Pennsylvania’s controversial business shutdown and provided hope for the future. But…

Press Release

Read More: Wolf Makes Reopening Concessions, but Stops Short of Transparency

Health Care

Pa. Legislature Leads National Move Toward Safe Reopening

  • April 15, 2020

April 15, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed a bill that would partially repeal Gov. Tom Wolf’s sweeping shutdown of so-called “non-life-sustaining” businesses, which has caused more than 1.3…

Press Release

Read More: Pa. Legislature Leads National Move Toward Safe Reopening

Criminal Justice Reform

Ensure Prisoner Release is Reasonable and Safe During COVID-19

  • April 10, 2020

April 10, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Governor Wolf announced that his administration will be releasing qualified state prisoners under the Temporary Program to Reprieve Sentences of Incarceration Program. The Commonwealth Foundation…

Press Release

Read More: Ensure Prisoner Release is Reasonable and Safe During COVID-19