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
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…
Media
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…
Media
Read More: Which Taxes Might be Going Up?Regulation
Sin-sylvania?
According to a new Watchdog.org analysis, Pennsylvania leads in the nation in collections from “sin taxes.” The commonwealth collects more than $2.7 billion annually in taxes on tobacco, alcohol or…
Media
Read More: Sin-sylvania?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further Behind
Pennsylvania's economy isn't looking so hot this summer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports: Pennsylvania lost 23,600 jobs in the last two months (nonfarm, payroll jobs). Over the same…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further BehindState Budget
Harrisburg Should Curb Waste, Not Fund It
What do waking up, driving to work, and stopping at Starbucks have in common? Each of these seemingly mundane activities is impacted by state taxes. It’s time to break this…
Commentary
Read More: Harrisburg Should Curb Waste, Not Fund ItState Budget
8 Years of Spending Hikes Crammed into 2?
8 Years of Spending Hikes Crammed into 2? $2.85 Billion Spending Increase Since 2015 Would Tie Previous 8-Year Total June 20, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—In the eight years before…
Press Release
Read More: 8 Years of Spending Hikes Crammed into 2?State Budget
Tax Hikes Coming Soon?
The latest budget rumors indicate legislative leadership and Gov. Wolf are negotiating a budget that would spend at least $31.5 billion and upwards of $32 billion. To put these spending…
Media
Read More: Tax Hikes Coming Soon?State Budget
Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working People
With little time left until the new fiscal year and fewer than two weeks to avoid another budget impasse, informal budget proposals are floating throughout the state Capitol. One proposal…
Media
Read More: Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working PeopleTaxes & Economy
Energy Mandates a Double Whammy
Alternative energy mandates raise the cost of living and make it harder for people to find work. These are the findings of a new paper on the government's futile efforts…
Media
Read More: Energy Mandates a Double WhammyPublic Union Democracy
Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension Iceberg
As Pennsylvania continues approaching the public pension iceberg at full speed, how can we avoid a collision? Simply put, through reforms that mirror steps taken by the private sector years…
Commentary
Read More: Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension IcebergPublic Union Democracy
PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension Reform
Pennsylvania's pension problem is nothing new. Over the years, lawmakers have tried to salvage the fundamentally broken system instead of creating a system that works. The latest attempt, SB…
Media
Read More: PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension ReformEducation
School Districts Amass Record Reserve Funds
Is your local school board planning to raise property taxes despite holding millions in reserve funds? For many Pennsylvania school districts, the answer may be “yes.” Check out…
Media
Read More: School Districts Amass Record Reserve FundsRegulation
House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers
House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers Senate Should Enact True Reform That Protects Pennsylvanians June 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The state House today passed a pension bill that promises reform…
Press Release
Read More: House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers