Every family, business owner, and taxpayer in Pennsylvania should be able to increase their financial security without undue interference from our state government. Free-market policies that limit taxes, allow entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs, and offer stability to families will put our state on track to become a national leader. Policies that enact spending limits, cut taxes, and reduce regulations will help Pennsylvania avoid debt and restore sound fiscal planning that will benefit citizens in the years to come.

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare Accessibility

  • July 11, 2018

Recent debates over health care reform in Washington have centered around reorganizing insurance markets, but improving America’s health care system requires a more comprehensive approach. And states can lead the…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare Accessibility

Education

School Choice Momentum in Pennsylvania

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • July 5, 2018

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program established Pennsylvania as a school choice leader when it was introduced in 2001. The program helps thousands of students, but it hasn’t kept…

Media

Read More: School Choice Momentum in Pennsylvania

Criminal Justice Reform

Bipartisan Support for a Second Chance

  • June 28, 2018

We all deserve a second chance. This is the core principle underlying “clean slate” legislation, which the legislature overwhelmingly approved last week. The measure, House Bill 1419, sponsored by…

Media

Read More: Bipartisan Support for a Second Chance

Health Care

Hidden Human Services Spending

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 27, 2018

What’s the main driver of spending in Harrisburg? It’s not education. The main driver of costs is the Department of Human Services, which includes Medicaid, child services, nursing home care…

Media

Read More: Hidden Human Services Spending

State Budget

State Budget 2018: Policy Victories & Missed Opportunities

  • June 26, 2018

With a signed state budget, it’s time to review the policy victories and missed opportunities that define the 2018-19 spending package. Victories Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) expansion: Lawmakers approved…

Media

Read More: State Budget 2018: Policy Victories & Missed Opportunities

Regulation

Gov. Moves to Eliminate Handful of Occupational Licenses

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 22, 2018

Sally Ladd earned a living managing vacation rental properties in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Her clients gladly pay Sally to manage their listings, but that livelihood was threatened when the…

Media

Read More: Gov. Moves to Eliminate Handful of Occupational Licenses

Education

House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes

  • June 20, 2018

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote (188-10). The legislation, House Bill 2121, avoids tax increases and pulls back from…

Press Release

Read More: House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes

State Budget

Six Things to Know About Pa. House Budget

  • June 19, 2018

The state budget is on the move. Earlier today the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan to the full House for its consideration. The…

Media

Read More: Six Things to Know About Pa. House Budget

Taxes & Economy

Dueling Energy Subsidies are Equally Bad

  • Gordon Tomb
  • June 19, 2018

  Shortly after Pennsylvania lawmakers suggested subsidies for nuclear power plants, the federal government launched a new effort to subsidize not only nuclear power but other forms of energy…

Media

Read More: Dueling Energy Subsidies are Equally Bad

State Budget

How Lawmakers Can Revive Pa.’s Economy

  • June 18, 2018

A look at job growth and labor force trends over the past few years reveals the Keystone State’s economy to be stagnant or, at best, overshadowed by robust growth in…

Media

Read More: How Lawmakers Can Revive Pa.’s Economy

State Budget

PA Legislature Moves to Protect Taxpayers from Habitual Overspending

  • June 13, 2018

Today, the Senate State Government Committee took a positive step toward putting Pennsylvania’s finances back on solid ground by passing the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) or House Bill 110—sponsored…

Press Release

Read More: PA Legislature Moves to Protect Taxpayers from Habitual Overspending

State Budget

Time for Welfare Work Requirements

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2018

Yesterday, welfare work requirement bills HB 2138 and HB 1659 moved out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. This move ensures welfare reform will be a focus…

Media

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Regulation

Government Job Creation is a Myth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 12, 2018

Can government create jobs? If you ask Gov. Tom Wolf, you won’t get a straight answer. On the one hand, Wolf promised Amazon millions—likely billions—in taxpayer subsidies to build a…

Media

Read More: Government Job Creation is a Myth

State Budget

5 Reasons We Need the Taxpayer Protection Act Now

  • June 12, 2018

Gov. Wolf has been pretty optimistic about Pennsylvania’s finances going into budget negotiations for fiscal year 2018-19. Although it’s true the state is not staring down a $2 billion…

Media

Read More: 5 Reasons We Need the Taxpayer Protection Act Now

Taxes & Economy

A Career for Life: Toni’s Work Story

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 6, 2018

DuBois resident Toni Prescott Flanders knows the value of hard work. As a teenager she worked alongside her mom, who owned a restaurant. But Toni wanted more than a job.

Media

Read More: A Career for Life: Toni’s Work Story

Taxes & Economy

More Evidence Raising the Minimum Wage is Bad for Pa.

  • June 4, 2018

In his 2018-19 budget proposal, Governor Wolf mandates a 65 percent increase to the state’s minimum wage, from $7.25 to $12 per hour. The governor reiterated his support for this…

Media

Read More: More Evidence Raising the Minimum Wage is Bad for Pa.

Regulation

Save Nuclear Jobs with Less Government, Not Corporate Welfare

  • Gordon Tomb
  • June 1, 2018

Increased production of low-cost natural gas has reduced the price of electricity to levels below which many Pennsylvania nuclear plants can compete. With about 3,000 jobs at stake, Senator…

Media

Read More: Save Nuclear Jobs with Less Government, Not Corporate Welfare

Health Care

More than a Paycheck: Amanda’s Work Story

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 30, 2018

A mother of four, Amanda Zernell worked odd jobs – as a certified nurse assistant at minimum wage and later at Sears – to help support her family. But after…

Media

Read More: More than a Paycheck: Amanda’s Work Story

State Budget

Securing Pa.’s Fiscal Future

  • May 29, 2018

Balancing a budget may come naturally to many Pennsylvania families, but in Harrisburg, it’s an idea that has been recently overlooked. And given the latest federal court decision prohibiting…

Media

Read More: Securing Pa.’s Fiscal Future

State Budget

Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased

  • May 21, 2018

Tax reform will save Pennsylvania's consumers an estimated $324 million. This according to the Public Utility Commission, which approved rate cuts for 17 utility companies last week. The lower utitlity bills will kick in July 1…

Media

Read More: Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased