Prosperity
Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity
Originally published on LNP On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his first annual state budget address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. While he hasn’t unveiled the details of…
Read More: Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperityEvery 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.
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Taxes & Economy
New Details on Proposed Tax Increase
As movement towards a budget deal progresses, more details have emerged regarding the sales tax increase we reported on yesterday. Let's remember that before we ask working families…
Media
Read More: New Details on Proposed Tax IncreaseRegulation
Backdoor $600 Million Tax Increase in Rumored Deal
Backdoor $600 Million Tax Increase in Rumored Budget Deal Sales Tax for Property Tax Swap Rumor Leaves Taxpayers on the Hook November 9, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—The…
Press Release
Read More: Backdoor $600 Million Tax Increase in Rumored DealState Budget
A Stealth Tax Increase?
Rumors about a proposed budget continue to swirl in Harrisburg. One such rumor is that the deal would include an increase in the sales tax rate to be used for…
Media
Read More: A Stealth Tax Increase?Regulation
Corporate Welfare and Cronyism in Bethlehem
Election day was a quiet affair in most communities, but in Bethlehem residents used the a local election to protest the appearance of cronyism in connection with a new corporate…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare and Cronyism in BethlehemPublic Union Democracy
Dear Kids
On October 21, more than 100 days after his veto touched off Pennsylvania’s ongoing state budget impasse, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers…
Media
Read More: Dear KidsCriminal Justice Reform
Protect Property Owners from Unreasonable Forfeiture
Our justice system is supposed to presume innocence until guilt is proven, but every year, Pennsylvanians are stripped of about $14 million on allegations that their property was involved in…
Commentary
Read More: Protect Property Owners from Unreasonable ForfeitureRegulation
A PLCB Special: Red Ink
Supporters of the state liquor monopoly defend the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) as a cash spigot for the state, which is one of the reasons they refuse to support privatization.
Media
Read More: A PLCB Special: Red InkEducation
Holding All Schools Hostage
Fell Charter Elementary School near Scranton will stop paying teachers next month and the school is considering a four-day week thanks to the state budget stalemate. Fell's announcement is…
Media
Read More: Holding All Schools HostageHealth Care
Obamacare Premiums Rise, Again
Mark your calendars (for disappointment)! On November 1 healthcare.gov will launch its third open enrollment season. Here in Pennsylvania, premiums for the second highest silver plan will climb, on average, by 11…
Media
Read More: Obamacare Premiums Rise, AgainState Budget
Wolf Increasingly Irrelevant in Budget Debate
Wolf Increasingly Irrelevant in Budget Debate Veto Override Attempt Shows Gov’s Grip Slipping October 28, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state Senate attempted to send schools much-needed funding by overriding…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Increasingly Irrelevant in Budget DebateGovernment Accountability
A Revolving Door of Corruption
The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…
Media
Read More: A Revolving Door of CorruptionState Budget
Lawmakers Move to Protect Posterity
The State House recently passed two bills designed to chip away at the commonwealth’s mountain of debt—12th highest among states as recently as 2012, and only growing since. The…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Move to Protect PosterityState Budget
Wolf’s Good Cop, Bad Cop Act
During 100-plus days of the state budget impasse, Gov. Wolf’s words and actions have been consistently inconsistent, leaving taxpayers and lawmakers confused. Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matt Brouillette noted,…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Good Cop, Bad Cop ActState Budget
Wolf’s ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop’ Act: Which Governor Will Show up Today?
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Press Release
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Three Reforms that Transcend Party Lines
Budget gridlock is hamstringing Harrisburg, but when it comes to transparency and accountability, a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians support three key reforms. Paycheck protection, transparency in government union contract negotiations,…
Media
Read More: Three Reforms that Transcend Party LinesState Budget
Moody’s to Pennsylvania: You’re So Negative
The budget impasse is creating more problems for Pennsylvanians with each passing day—already costing taxpayers at least $11 million. Gov. Wolf has been using…
Media
Read More: Moody’s to Pennsylvania: You’re So NegativeEducation
Wolf Claims More Student Hostages
Earlier this week, The Neighborhood Academy, a private school in Pittsburgh, held a rally in the state Capitol to highlight Gov. Wolf’s withholding tax credits for student scholarships. Pennsylvania’s Educational…
Media
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Audio: Gov. Wolf Goes Down Swinging
Last week, Gov. Wolf struck out after his third attempt to enact massive tax hikes was voted down in a bipartisan effort by the House of Representatives. CF’s…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf Goes Down SwingingRegulation
Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax Hikes
“I’m not taking anything off the table” said Gov. Wolf shortly after his tax plan was resoundingly defeated in the House last week. The governor’s refusal to abandon…
Media
Read More: Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax HikesGovernment Accountability
Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms
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Press Release
Read More: Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability ReformsState Budget
Three Strikes and You’re Out, Governor Wolf
Nearly 100 days since the budget deadline, Governor Wolf had proposed three separate tax increase plans—each the largest tax hike in the nation. But when Wolf stepped up to the…
Commentary
Read More: Three Strikes and You’re Out, Governor Wolf