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.
Related Issues
State Budget
Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans Out
One third of the $675 million in new corporate welfare under Governor's Wolf budget proposal is reserved for alternative energy programs. In this week's House budget hearings Community & Economic…
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Read More: Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans OutState Budget
Wolf’s Tax Plan: Three Things Every Family Needs to Know
Here are three things to know about Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax plan: Wolf’s budget calls for a net tax increase of about $1,400 more per family of four this year (with…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Tax Plan: Three Things Every Family Needs to KnowState Budget
Summary of Governor Wolf’s 2015-2016 Budget Proposal
General Fund spending is projected to reach $31.6 billion—the largest spending increase (8.7 percent) in 25 years. Gov. Wolf is proposing to move $1.75 billion in school pension payments to a…
Memo
Read More: Summary of Governor Wolf’s 2015-2016 Budget ProposalState Budget
Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad Budget
Gov. Wolf’s budget plan spends taxpayers’ money at $1,000 per second and would burden a family of four with an additional $1,419 in taxes at a time when Pennsylvanians…
Media
Read More: Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad BudgetState Budget
Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending Plan
Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a budget with a spending rate clocking in at a blistering $1,000 per second. That means in the time it takes you to read this…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending PlanTaxes & Economy
Families Benefit from Natural Gas Without Tax
Of the many tax hikes in Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal, the natural gas severance tax on the surface seems less damaging to Pennsylvania families. But a severance tax could hit…
Media
Read More: Families Benefit from Natural Gas Without TaxState Budget
Thirty Cents in Tax Relief for Every Dollar in New Taxes
Gov. Tom Wolf touts property tax relief in his new budget, but fails to mention taxpayers are going to pay more—a lot more—in higher state taxes. Over the next two…
Media
Read More: Thirty Cents in Tax Relief for Every Dollar in New TaxesRegulation
Lesson from Washington State: Privatization Works
Is liquor privatization in Washington State a “failed experiment”? That’s the bold assertion from opponents of unshackling Pennsylvania from the chains of a government liquor monopoly. It’s also wrong. Washington…
Media
Read More: Lesson from Washington State: Privatization WorksState Budget
What Would $1,400 Buy? The True Cost of Wolf’s Tax Plan Revealed, News Conference Today
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf Tax Plan Devastating to Families, Elderly, and Small Businesses $1,400 in Groceries Illustrates Sacrifice Wolf Requires of…
Press Release
Read More: What Would $1,400 Buy? The True Cost of Wolf’s Tax Plan Revealed, News Conference TodayState Budget
How Big, Bad is Wolf’s Budget?
The first point of contention on Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget isn’t about his tax increases, or any specific policy item, but rather over the true size of his proposals.
Media
Read More: How Big, Bad is Wolf’s Budget?Taxes & Economy
Historic Spending and Tax Hikes Will Hurt Pennsylvanians
Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal expands the size of government and shrinks the size of your wallet. His 2015-2016 budget calls for a net $4.5 billion tax increase, which amounts to …
Media
Read More: Historic Spending and Tax Hikes Will Hurt PennsylvaniansEducation
Audio: Smarter Spending, not More Spending, Key for State Budget
Education proved to be the centerpiece of Gov. Wolf’s budget address, but his facts on school funding get a failing grade. This morning, Nate Benefield, CF’s Vice President of…
Media
Read More: Audio: Smarter Spending, not More Spending, Key for State BudgetHealth Care
Supreme Court’s Obamacare Case Could Open Door to Real Healthcare Solutions
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Supreme Court’s Obamacare Case Could Open Door to Real Healthcare Solutions Lawmakers Can Spare Pennsylvanians from Obamacare Regulations, Mandates, and Taxes Good morning,…
Press Release
Read More: Supreme Court’s Obamacare Case Could Open Door to Real Healthcare SolutionsTaxes & Economy
Wolf’s Crushing $4.6 Billion Tax Increase Largest in Pa History
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf’s Crushing $4.6 Billion Tax Increase Largest in Pa History Middle-Class Families Foot the Bill for Massive Tax-and-Spend Plan…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Crushing $4.6 Billion Tax Increase Largest in Pa HistoryTaxes & Economy
Fair Share? How Pennsylvania Gas Taxes Compare
Pennsylvania is the only top natural gas producing state that doesn’t tax drilling. Sound familiar? It’s a favorite argument of tax proponents, but it misses the big picture. Pennsylvania taxes…
Media
Read More: Fair Share? How Pennsylvania Gas Taxes CompareRegulation
A Toast to the House, but Challenges Lie Ahead
On Thursday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed liquor privatization legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Mike Turzai. You can see how your legislator voted in this interactive graphic…
Media
Read More: A Toast to the House, but Challenges Lie AheadRegulation
Liquor Privatization Passage Puts People First, Not Politics
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Liquor Privatization Passage Puts People First, Not Politics Ending State Monopoly Would Help Fill Budget Hole February 26, 2015, HARRISBURG,…
Press Release
Read More: Liquor Privatization Passage Puts People First, Not PoliticsTaxes & Economy
Talk of Severance Tax Reduces Drilling
What a shock! A gas exploration company says it is reevaluating plans to drill for natural gas in Southwestern Pennsylvania because of Gov. Wolf’s proposed severance tax, reports…
Media
Read More: Talk of Severance Tax Reduces DrillingRegulation
Culture, Not Government, Drives Alcohol Use
Practically three-quarters of Pennsylvania’s twelfth graders tried alcohol at least once in their lifetimes, according to a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) report. This eye-opening statistic confirms the obvious:…
Media
Read More: Culture, Not Government, Drives Alcohol UseRegulation
Setting the Record Straight on Liquor Privatization
It’s back! Liquor privatization is once again up for debate and has already cleared its first hurdle, as lawmakers voted yesterday to advance the bill out of a House…
Media
Read More: Setting the Record Straight on Liquor PrivatizationState Budget
Lawmakers Stand Up for Taxpayers
Earlier today, Senators Camera Bartolotta and Mike Folmer and Rep. Tim Krieger announced their intentions to usher in an era of fiscal responsibility with the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) and…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Stand Up for Taxpayers