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.

Education

Making the Most of Education Dollars

  • James Paul
  • August 11, 2016

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale recently uncovered $2.5 million improperly paid to nine public charter schools. At issue is whether buildings owned by charter schools are eligible for the state's lease…

Media

Read More: Making the Most of Education Dollars

State Budget

Seven Threats to the 2017-18 Budget

  • August 10, 2016

The 2016-17 budget remains unbalanced. Without serious efforts to reduce spending or reform major cost drivers, like public pensions and the sprawling human services system, taxpayers should expect a push…

Memo

Read More: Seven Threats to the 2017-18 Budget

State Budget

Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax Continues

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 9, 2016

Backlash over the punitive 40 percent wholesale e-cigarette tax continues. Yesterday, CF Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle discussed its devastating impacts with WILK-FM's L.A. Tarone. Stelle explained how this…

Media

Read More: Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax Continues

Regulation

How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s Dream

  • August 8, 2016

Scottie Freeman wants to serve his community. He opened a vapor shop in a depressed part of Erie and planned to use the shop’s proceeds to open up an ice…

Media

Read More: How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s Dream

Taxes & Economy

Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 Shops, 1,500 Jobs

  • August 8, 2016

Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 shops, 1,500 Jobs Bill Would Reverse 40-Percent Retroactive Tax Poised to Crush Pa. Small Businesses August 8, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Chris Hughes…

Press Release

Read More: Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 Shops, 1,500 Jobs

State Budget

5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 4, 2016

The 2016-17 budget has passed, yet it remains unbalanced, relying on borrowing money and yet-to-be-passed legislation. Many revenue estimates are overly optimistic. Without efforts to reduce spending or reform cost drivers like pensions…

Media

Read More: 5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017

Regulation

Government Favoritism Hurts Honest Businesses

  • August 2, 2016

Buried in a little debated 267-page tax code bill is a provision emblematic of Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture. The provision directs hotel tax revenue generated inside a Neighborhood…

Media

Read More: Government Favoritism Hurts Honest Businesses

Regulation

Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the Worse

  • August 2, 2016

Government’s heavy hand can cause immense harm. Dori Odosso (pictured) and Chris Hughes know this all too well. Both small business owners are concerned about a crushing new tax…

Media

Read More: Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the Worse

State Budget

Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That

  • August 1, 2016

Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That Digital Downloads Tax Takes Effect Today August 1, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvanians who didn’t stock up on iTunes, eBooks, and game apps…

Press Release

Read More: Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That

Regulation

Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government Overreach

  • July 29, 2016

On Wednesday, we shared with you Chris’s fight to save his small business from a devastating tax increase. Regrettably, Chris’s business isn’t the only one threatened by the new…

Media

Read More: Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government Overreach

State Budget

Taxes Threaten Chris’s Livelihood

  • July 27, 2016

Chris Hughes has owned Fat Cat Vapor Shop for almost three years. The shop—tucked away in a small Lycoming County borough—specializes in electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), which many people seek as…

Media

Read More: Taxes Threaten Chris’s Livelihood

Regulation

Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon

  • James Paul
  • July 26, 2016

Corporate welfare projects and celebratory press releases go together like peanut butter and jelly. For the most recent example in Pennsylvania, see the latest from the governor’s communications office:…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon

Education

Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?

  • James Paul
  • July 25, 2016

Let’s talk for a moment about rainy days—specifically, the need to save funds to spend on one. Several school board administrators and lobbyists have taken issue with CF’s searchable,…

Media

Read More: Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?

State Budget

A Budget of Convenience

  • July 19, 2016

The dust has settled on the 2016-17 budget debate—at least for the moment. Some people hail the agreement as an example of what Harrisburg can accomplish when two parties work together.

Media

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State Budget

An Analysis of the 2016-17 Budget

  • July 18, 2016

On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13, the…

Fact Sheet

Read More: An Analysis of the 2016-17 Budget

State Budget

What’s in the Final 2016-17 Budget?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 15, 2016

On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13,…

Media

Read More: What’s in the Final 2016-17 Budget?

Government Accountability

Unlearned State Budget Lessons

  • July 15, 2016

Charles Mitchell, newly appointed President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, appeared last week on PMA Perspective to discuss this year’s state budget process and the “unlearned lessons” of last…

Media

Read More: Unlearned State Budget Lessons

State Budget

Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced

  • July 14, 2016

Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced Despite Fanfare, Budget Remains $300 Million in the Red July 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Yesterday, Gov. Wolf and lawmakers approved a tax and revenue package…

Press Release

Read More: Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced

State Budget

How the $650 Million Tax Increase Impacts You

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 14, 2016

The state budget is, for all intents and purposes, complete. While it remains unbalanced, we now know exactly which taxes are going up.  The $650 million tax hike passed by the…

Media

Read More: How the $650 Million Tax Increase Impacts You