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

Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans

  • February 2, 2016

Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans Pa. Spends $3,400 More Per Student than the National Average February 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today at 2 p.m., Gov. Wolf…

Press Release

Read More: Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans

Health Care

The Trouble with Medicaid Expansion

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • February 1, 2016

As yesterday's deadline to enroll in an Obamacare marketplace insurance plan quietly passed, Gov. Wolf is boasting about Medicaid expansion—a major component of the federal government's health care overhaul.

Media

Read More: The Trouble with Medicaid Expansion

Regulation

PPA Picks Cartels over Consumers

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • January 29, 2016

Jon Brennan’s Audi S4 was impounded by Philadelphia police because he’s an UberX driver. Emails uncovered by the Philadelphia Inquirer reveal that the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has thrown…

Media

Read More: PPA Picks Cartels over Consumers

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians Prosper as New Yorkers Pine

  • Gordon Tomb
  • January 26, 2016

They are similar in size, resources and population, but the past few years have brought prosperity to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania and stagnation to Delaware County, New York. The big difference?…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Prosper as New Yorkers Pine

State Budget

Demographics Destined to Hold Pennsylvania Back?

  • January 25, 2016

Last year, Pennsylvania lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes. In total, the state’s net domestic migration rate was negative: 41,607 more people moved out of Pennsylvania than…

Media

Read More: Demographics Destined to Hold Pennsylvania Back?

State Budget

Despite Name-Calling, Wolf’s Tax Hike is the Largest

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 22, 2016

The Wolf administration continues to deny basic facts about their original proposed tax hike. Instead of responding with facts, the governor's staff relies on name-calling and personal attacks. The Altoona Mirror…

Media

Read More: Despite Name-Calling, Wolf’s Tax Hike is the Largest

Criminal Justice Reform

2012 Corrections Reform Still Paying Off

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 20, 2016

Yesterday, Gov. Wolf and Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel announced that Pennsylvania’s prison population declined last year by the largest amount since 1971. The number of imates declined by…

Media

Read More: 2012 Corrections Reform Still Paying Off

Education

Wolf’s $3 Billion Education Cut

  • James Paul
  • January 18, 2016

Upon finally approving the majority of a state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf admonished the General Assembly for “cutting $95 million from public schools.” Yet it is the governor himself who…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s $3 Billion Education Cut

Government Accountability

Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets

  • January 13, 2016

Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets Budget Companion Bill Picks Winners at Lobbyists’ Behest January 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—On Tuesday, the Pa. House passed a “fiscal code” which…

Press Release

Read More: Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets

Government Accountability

Fiscal Code Packed with Earmarks

  • James Paul
  • January 12, 2016

Pennsylvania's fiscal code is intended to provide lawmakers with instructions for spending funds appropriated in the state budget. But it is also ground-zero for a host of earmarks that funnel limited…

Media

Read More: Fiscal Code Packed with Earmarks

State Budget

Fiscal Code Protects Kids and Jobs

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2016

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a revised fiscal code, HB 1327, to implement parts of the state budget. The fiscal code explains how revenues will be distributed, including transfers…

Media

Read More: Fiscal Code Protects Kids and Jobs

State Budget

Charting Pennsylvania’s Budget Future

  • January 11, 2016

Believe it or not, the state is approaching the unofficial start of a new budget cycle. Gov. Wolf plans to roll out his proposal for the 2016-17 budget on February…

Media

Read More: Charting Pennsylvania’s Budget Future

State Budget

Budget Hostages Finally Freed?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2016

While Wolf released the hostages of the past six months, he made sure he could keep using children as “pressure points” by using his line-item veto to cut $3.1 billion…

Commentary

Read More: Budget Hostages Finally Freed?

Education

Governor Wolf’s Budget Hostages

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 6, 2016

Tom Wolf finally admitted he held school children hostage in hopes of higher taxes: “We're now at a point where I don't want to hold the children of Pennsylvania hostage.” But…

Media

Read More: Governor Wolf’s Budget Hostages

Public Union Democracy

A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016

  • January 5, 2016

Last year, Gov. Tom Wolf promised he would take state government in a “different direction” and grow the middle class. He pledged to do this by making Pennsylvania a magnet for…

Media

Read More: A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016

Education

Wolf’s Newest Education Funding Scheme

  • James Paul
  • January 5, 2016

When Gov. Wolf finally agreed to sign the majority of an emergency funding bill, it remained unclear how his administration would distribute the increased education funding approved by the…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s Newest Education Funding Scheme

Regulation

Is Gov. Wolf Ignoring Credit Rating Agencies?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 4, 2016

Last week, Gov. Wolf once again resorted to defending his latest budget vetoes citing the fear of credit rating downgrades. Oddly, he seems to miss that pension reform and…

Media

Read More: Is Gov. Wolf Ignoring Credit Rating Agencies?

Regulation

The EPA’s Plan Will Hike Your Electricity Bill

  • Gordon Tomb
  • December 30, 2015

A new analysis from NERA Economic Consulting projects Pennsylvania electricity bills will increase between 10 and 19 percent from 2022 to 2033…

Media

Read More: The EPA’s Plan Will Hike Your Electricity Bill

State Budget

Wolf Signs Stop-Gap Budget With Punitive Line-Item Vetoes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 29, 2015

This morning, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the state budget on his desk, using his line-item veto (and item-reduction veto) power to cut the spending by more than $6 billion, targeting certain…

Media

Read More: Wolf Signs Stop-Gap Budget With Punitive Line-Item Vetoes

State Budget

Wolf Releases Budget Hostages in Budget Battle

  • December 29, 2015

Wolf Releases Hostages in Budget Battle After Six Months, Funding Finally Flows to Students & Needy December 29, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced he will finally release…

Press Release

Read More: Wolf Releases Budget Hostages in Budget Battle

Education

Wolf Misleads About Education “Cuts”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 29, 2015

On Christmas Eve, Gov. Tom Wolf posted a blog attacking Republicans and the “extremist” budget now sitting on his desk—which passed the Senate on a bipartisan 33-17 vote. Wolf…

Media

Read More: Wolf Misleads About Education “Cuts”