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.

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

Regulation

Can Environmental Mandates Reverse Pittsburgh’s Decline?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 6, 2017

President Trump summed up his opposition to the Paris Climate Accord by saying he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. In response, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto issued an…

Media

Read More: Can Environmental Mandates Reverse Pittsburgh’s Decline?

Regulation

Making Sense of Pension Reform Legislation

  • June 6, 2017

Yesterday, the state Senate passed pension reform legislation—Senate Bill 1—which begins to transform the state’s pension systems into a sustainable model for public employees and taxpayers. We have already…

Media

Read More: Making Sense of Pension Reform Legislation

Regulation

Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 6, 2017

Pennsylvania’s $71 billion unfunded pension liability is unsustainable for taxpayers and puts public employees at risk. Without timely reform, pension payments will crowd out funding for other services, property taxes will…

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

Regulation

Teachers Need Pension Reform Too

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 6, 2017

Pension reform is critical for teachers as well as taxpayers, according to a new report from PennCAN. Among the key findings of this report is how pension costs…

Media

Read More: Teachers Need Pension Reform Too

Regulation

News Release: Senate Passes Transformative Pension Reform

  • June 5, 2017

Today, the state Senate voted 40-9 to pass historic pension reform that Pew Charitable Trusts has said “would mitigate more risk” than reforms passed in any other state “while maintaining…

Press Release

Read More: News Release: Senate Passes Transformative Pension Reform

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2017

  • June 5, 2017

For the first time in seven months, the commonwealth’s revenue collections exceeded expectations. Pennsylvania collected $2.6 billion in May—$98.5 million more than anticipated. Still, total collections remain approximately…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2017

Regulation

SB 1 is Major First Step on Pension Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2017

Yesterday, Elizabeth wrote about the reasons we need pension reform now. As the full Senate prepares to vote on SB 1, I wanted to provide some clarity on this…

Media

Read More: SB 1 is Major First Step on Pension Reform

Regulation

5 Reasons to Enact Pension Reform Now

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 4, 2017

Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformative pension reform. Under SB 1, new school teachers and state employees, including new lawmakers and judges, would automatically be enrolled in a…

Media

Read More: 5 Reasons to Enact Pension Reform Now

State Budget

Send a Message on Tax Hikes

  • June 2, 2017

Pennsylvania doesn't need to spend more, we need to spend smarter. Let your lawmakers know that taxes are high enough. Email Gov. Wolf and your state lawmakers today.  …

Media

Read More: Send a Message on Tax Hikes

Education

Are Soda Taxes Worth Their Cost?

  • June 2, 2017

Philadelphia’s soda tax is going flat. The new levy has raised prices, diminished sales, and led to industry layoffs. It’s also failing to meet revenue projections,…

Media

Read More: Are Soda Taxes Worth Their Cost?

Regulation

Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 26, 2017

Pennsylvania’s $71 billion unfunded pension liability is unsustainable for taxpayers and puts public employees at risk. Without timely reform, pension payments will crowd out funding for other services, property taxes…

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania