Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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.
Related Issues
Taxes & Economy
Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job Loss
In his 2019 budget address, Governor Wolf lamented “too many hardworking people are struggling to get by.” The solution is attracting high-wage jobs and encouraging more Pennsylvanians to gain valuable…
Media
Read More: Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job LossState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act: An Updated Legislator’s Guide
Pennsylvanians pay $4,589 per person in state and local taxes, which equals 10.2 percent of residents’ total income. This trend must be reversed by restraining spending growth through long-term reforms…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act: An Updated Legislator’s GuideTaxes & Economy
Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater Prosperity
Keystone Clippers has exceeded expectations. Owner Al Rodriguez is now “ahead of the game” due to last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He has added…
Media
Read More: Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater ProsperityState Budget
Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match Reality
Charles Mitchell, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Wolf’s fifth budget address: What a change four years and nine defeated…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match RealityState Budget
5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 Budget
1. Dramatic cost overruns lead to a $86 billion budget. Gov. Wolf proposed a $34.146 billion General Fund budget and a total operating budget of $85.804 billion.
Media
Read More: 5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 BudgetPublic Union Democracy
Why There’s “Money in Politics”
The recent public corruption indictment of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, leader of the IBEW 98 labor union, Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, and a slew of other IBEW leaders shows…
Media
Read More: Why There’s “Money in Politics”Regulation
New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate Welfare
Pennsylvania moviegoers who bought tickets for M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass last weekend paid more than the price of the ticket. They paid with their taxes. According to the Department of…
Media
Read More: New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate WelfarePublic Union Democracy
PLCB Keeps Employees in the Dark
Less than one year ago, the Supreme Court declared that public sector workers’ constitutional rights to free speech and association came before government unions’ desire to collect fees from those…
Media
Read More: PLCB Keeps Employees in the DarkState Budget
Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the Economy
Revenue collections are $400 million above projections. Next year’s budget should be easy to balance. Instead, lawmakers are looking at a projected $1.7 billion deficit. Why? Pennsylvania continues…
Memo
Read More: Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the EconomyCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania State Budget Trends
On February 5, Governor Wolf will lay out his proposal for the 2019-20 state budget. Here are some key facts on spending trends, last year’s enacted budget, and challenges going…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget TrendsRegulation
College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About Beer
Anyone hoping to enjoy a cold drink from their favorite brewery this summer should prepare to spend a little more. Beginning July 1, a 6 percent tax will be…
Media
Read More: College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About BeerRegulation
How Big is the Pa. State Budget? 17 Million Yoga Rooms
Much has been made about a yoga and meditation room in the state Capitol—costing taxpayers about $5,000 to furnish. With an annual state budget that could pay for…
Media
Read More: How Big is the Pa. State Budget? 17 Million Yoga RoomsCriminal Justice Reform
Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of King
It’s been a shame that we’ve collectively spent so much time this month talking about the wrong King (Rep. Steve King) and views that harken back to our worst…
Media
Read More: Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of KingHealth Care
Arkansas Latest to Demonstrate Power of Work Over Poverty
Once again, incomes are rising, tax revenue is up, and welfare enrollment is shrinking thanks to work requirements. A recent analysis from the Foundation for Government Accountability finds Arkansas’s…
Media
Read More: Arkansas Latest to Demonstrate Power of Work Over PovertyCriminal Justice Reform
Punitive Occupational Licensing Laws Bar Pennsylvanians from Work
Pennsylvania’s occupational licensing laws are keeping two Philadelphia women out of work. Courtney Haveman and Amanda Spillane have sued the commonwealth after the Pennsylvania Cosmetology Board denied their cosmetology licenses…
Media
Read More: Punitive Occupational Licensing Laws Bar Pennsylvanians from WorkCriminal Justice Reform
Pa. Prison Population Plummets by Most in History
Pennsylvania’s prison population dropped by 1,068 individuals in 2018, according to new Department of Corrections numbers—the sharpest decline ever recorded. The number of incarcerated Pennsylvanians declined in six of…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Prison Population Plummets by Most in HistoryHealth Care
Federal Food Stamp Fix Good Fit for Pa.
Jobs and money form the foundation of many a New Year’s resolution. Now, due to proposed federal SNAP (food stamp) changes, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians could experience a brighter…
Media
Read More: Federal Food Stamp Fix Good Fit for Pa.Criminal Justice Reform
The Next Step for Criminal Justice Reform
In an op-ed last week, CF’s president Charles Mitchell and former CF board chair Jane Janeczek offered an appraisal of the First Step Act signed by President Trump on…
Media
Read More: The Next Step for Criminal Justice ReformTaxes & Economy
Residents are Still Leaving the Keystone State
Residents are fleeing Pennsylvania for other states, continuing a long and harmful trend. Pennsylvania’s population grew by a scant 0.13 percent last year, according to new Census Bureau estimates—but…
Media
Read More: Residents are Still Leaving the Keystone StateCriminal Justice Reform
The Justice Reinvestment Initiative II
The Justice Reinvestment Initiative recommends fair and effective punishments that equip offenders for life, while controlling costs and improving safety.
Poll
Read More: The Justice Reinvestment Initiative IITaxes & Economy
Santa and the Grinch visit Pennsylvania?s Energy Sector
The last two years brought renewed investment in Pennsylvania’s energy industry, but these shiny gifts remain threatened by grinchy taxes, fees, and regulations. Among the gifts are the…
Media
Read More: Santa and the Grinch visit Pennsylvania?s Energy Sector