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.

Health Care

What the Senate ACA Repeal Plan Means for PA

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 23, 2017

A draft of the U.S. Senate GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare is out in the open. Overall, the bill is a step in right direction. The plan fundamentally…

Media

Read More: What the Senate ACA Repeal Plan Means for PA

Regulation

Growing PA’s Economy through Relief, not Mandates

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 22, 2017

Pennsylvania ranks among the worst states in terms of job growth (46th) and personal income growth (45th). Our unemployment rate remains well above the national average and our economy grew…

Media

Read More: Growing PA’s Economy through Relief, not Mandates

Education

Audio: “Rainy Day” Funds Raining on Taxpayers

  • June 22, 2017

School districts across Pennsylvania have stashed away millions of surplus funds for a “rainy day,” yet some continue to request higher taxes at the same time. Of course, for…

Media

Read More: Audio: “Rainy Day” Funds Raining on Taxpayers

Education

Will Philly Union Contract Require State Bailout?

  • James Paul
  • June 20, 2017

Philadelphia’s new teacher contract could be so expensive as to require teacher layoffs to pay for it. But there’s another way the $395 million pact could be financed: with…

Media

Read More: Will Philly Union Contract Require State Bailout?

State Budget

Stop Calling for Higher Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2017

In comments at the Pennsylvania Press Club yesterday, Sen. Jay Costa addressed the state deficit and called for tax increases. Costa said, “A year from now, someone will be standing…

Media

Read More: Stop Calling for Higher Taxes

State Budget

The Solution to Pa.’s Perpetual Deficit Problems

  • June 19, 2017

Pennsylvania is rapidly approaching the June 30 budget deadline. Over the next two weeks, lawmakers will decide how to balance the 2017-18 budget. But they’ll also need to settle old…

Media

Read More: The Solution to Pa.’s Perpetual Deficit Problems

Health Care

One Step Towards Redesigning Human Services

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 15, 2017

Governor Wolf’s proposal to merge four state agencies into the Department of Health and Human Services has the potential to benefit taxpayers and beneficiaries by eliminating bureaucratic redundancies and providing…

Media

Read More: One Step Towards Redesigning Human Services

Regulation

Policy Points: Pennsylvania’s Debt Burden

  • June 15, 2017

State and local debt levels have exploded since 2002. When combined with the commonwealth’s unfunded liabilities, total state obligations exceed $17,600 for every Pennsylvania resident.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Policy Points: Pennsylvania’s Debt Burden

Health Care

Obamacare’s Cost Increase Aren’t “Just Fine”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2017

This week, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller sent a letter suggesting that an 8.8 percent increase in insurance premiums next year was a good thing, and…

Media

Read More: Obamacare’s Cost Increase Aren’t “Just Fine”

Regulation

Pennsylvania Ranks Poorly…Again

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 14, 2017

Redesigning state government has never been more important. For evidence, check out Pennsylvania’s poor performance in U.S. News & World Report’s recent Best States Rankings. Overall, the study puts the…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Ranks Poorly…Again

Criminal Justice Reform

Policy Memo: Principles for State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 14, 2017

With the 2017 budget, lawmakers have an opportunity to double down on the idea of reinventing government and adopt meaningful reforms that will save taxpayers money, stimulate economic growth, and improve services…

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: Principles for State Budget

Regulation

Making the Most of Philadelphia’s Upswing

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2017

Last week I blogged about Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s misplaced confidence in government energy mandates to grow the Steel City. On the other side of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney…

Media

Read More: Making the Most of Philadelphia’s Upswing

Regulation

Gov. Wolf Signs Historic Pension Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2017

Yesterday Governor Wolf signed transformative pension reform. SB 1 will establish a side-by-side hybrid plan for new employees, greatly reducing taxpayer risk and laying the foundation for further reform.

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf Signs Historic Pension Reform

Education

Growing Chorus Urges School Boards to Protect Taxpayers

  • James Paul
  • June 9, 2017

In response to CF’s research on school district reserve funds, reporters and editorial boards have weighed in on the question: Why are districts holding millions in reserve while seeking…

Media

Read More: Growing Chorus Urges School Boards to Protect Taxpayers

Health Care

PA’s Unaffordable Health Care Act Premiums

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 9, 2017

If there’s ever a contest for least accurately named law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would certainly be in the running. In the aftermath of the ACA, more commonly called…

Media

Read More: PA’s Unaffordable Health Care Act Premiums

Health Care

Saving Medicaid

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 9, 2017

Obamacare proponents insist the American Health Care Act (AHCA) will cut $800 billion from Medicaid and jeopardize care for the disabled and children. This claim is oft-repeated, but it is patently false.

Media

Read More: Saving Medicaid

Regulation

Historic Pension Reform: Thank You!

  • June 8, 2017

Today's pension reform passage—and Gov. Wolf's support—mark a historic moment for our state. Pennsylvania is about to enact the most significant pension reform in the nation. You can read much more…

Media

Read More: Historic Pension Reform: Thank You!

Government Accountability

Lawsuit Seeks to End Ghost Teaching in Reading

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 6, 2017

Across Pennsylvania, school districts are struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of education driven by unsustainble penion expenses. Yet, a special perk built into over 20 percent…

Media

Read More: Lawsuit Seeks to End Ghost Teaching in Reading