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
State Budget
State Spending Addiction Leads to Tax Hike
Lawmakers are on the cusp of pushing through a $650 million tax increase on working Pennsylvanians. Earlier this afternoon—without much warning or debate—a conference committee passed House Bill…
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Read More: State Spending Addiction Leads to Tax HikeState Budget
Pa. Enters Day #1 of Illegal, Unbalanced State Budget
Pa. Enters Day #1 of Illegal, Unbalanced State Budget Gov. Wolf Abdicates Constitutional Responsibility to Correct Legislature’s Error July 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today is uncharted territory for Pennsylvania.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Enters Day #1 of Illegal, Unbalanced State BudgetState Budget
Will Wolf-Enacted Budget Violate Law?
Will Wolf-Enacted Budget Violate Law? Law Requires Gov. to Veto Spending Above Official Revenue Estimates July 11, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Governor Tom Wolf yesterday announced he would allow the $31.6 billion…
Press Release
Read More: Will Wolf-Enacted Budget Violate Law?State Budget
Lower State Spending Could Improve Bond Rating
Last week Moody’s warned an out-of-balance state budget could result in another credit downgrading. By not acting to balance the budget, Governor Wolf is aiding in the devaluation of the…
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Read More: Lower State Spending Could Improve Bond RatingState Budget
Philadelphia’s Cigarette Tax Falls Short
Philadelphia collected nearly $59 million in cigarette taxes between July 2015 and June 2016. Well below the $77.5 million originally anticipated by state lawmakers, according to Anna Orso…
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Read More: Philadelphia’s Cigarette Tax Falls ShortState Budget
Back to the Future: Budget Edition
Doc Brown showed up at Commonwealth Foundation headquarters in his DeLorean yesterday with a stern warning about the future. “I just returned from 2017! You’ve got to come back with…
Media
Read More: Back to the Future: Budget EditionState Budget
One of these things is not like the others . . .
Remember this popular song from the children's show Sesame Street? It goes, “One of these things is not like the others, one of these things doesn't belong. . .”…
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Read More: One of these things is not like the others . . .Regulation
‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed Budgeting
As it stands, this budget leaves families trapped in a game of tax roulette—praying their taxes don’t go up this year. Next year, let’s hope taxpayers don’t have to choose…
Commentary
Read More: ‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed BudgetingState Budget
State Government is Spending Money it Doesn’t Have
Pennsylvania is spending taxpayer money it doesn’t have. Yesterday the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its report on revenue collections for the past fiscal year. Total revenue came in…
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Read More: State Government is Spending Money it Doesn’t HaveTaxes & Economy
PA Manufacturing Withers Under High Tax Load
As Harrisburg searches for politically acceptable tax hikes to fund a record-breaking budget, Pennsylvania’s attractiveness to manufacturers continues to decline. According to a study reported by the Central…
Media
Read More: PA Manufacturing Withers Under High Tax LoadState Budget
Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge?
Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge? Natural Gas Gross Receipts Tax Would Hit 2.7 Million Homeowners July 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers scramble to find revenue…
Press Release
Read More: Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge?State Budget
Broad Heating Tax Would Hit Millions
Last week, lawmakers and the governor agreed to a $31.6 billion budget, a five percent increase in spending from last year and the largest one-year jump in spending since 2006.
Media
Read More: Broad Heating Tax Would Hit MillionsPublic Union Democracy
Union Demands vs. Fiscal Realities
One government union’s insatiable appetite for more tax dollars has hit a brick wall. The Wolf Administration is in the process of negotiating a contract with the state’s largest…
Media
Read More: Union Demands vs. Fiscal RealitiesCriminal Justice Reform
My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s Board
How did a registered Democrat and the daughter of former Democratic Governor George Leader find a place on Commonwealth Foundation’s Board? …
Commentary
Read More: My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s BoardEducation
Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?
In addition to general appropriations (SB 1073) and the fiscal code (SB 1320), lawmakers are finalizing language in the education code, HB 530. This legislation promises significant reforms…
Media
Read More: Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?Regulation
What’s in the Senate Budget?
Earlier today the state Senate passed an amended version of a House budget proposal, which included the largest spending increase in a decade. The House must now agree to the Senate's changes before sending…
Media
Read More: What’s in the Senate Budget?State Budget
Five Major Flaws in House Budget
Five Major Flaws in House Budget Unsustainable State Spending Threatens Family Budgets June 28, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed a $31.6 billion spending plan, representing a…
Press Release
Read More: Five Major Flaws in House BudgetEducation
The Taxpayers? False Choice
Governor Wolf and legislative leaders present Pennsylvanians with two options. The first requires taxpayers to fork over hundreds of millions in higher taxes. The second calls for steep cuts…
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Read More: The Taxpayers? False ChoiceState Budget
House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher Taxes
House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher Taxes Proposal Side-Steps Broad Taxes but Relies on Unreliable Cigarette Tax Hike June 28, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Monday night,…
Press Release
Read More: House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher TaxesState Budget
What Is in the House Budget?
Last night, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee advanced a $31.6 billion general fund budget. This budget is now lined up for a final vote in the House. Here is…
Media
Read More: What Is in the House Budget?State Budget
Which Taxes Might be Going Up?
Less than one week remains before the state budget deadline, and details are slowly emerging about a $31.5 billion spending plan. This $1.5 billion spending increase would be the largest spending…
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Read More: Which Taxes Might be Going Up?