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.

Regulation

PLCB Ethics Scandal (Again)

  • October 24, 2014

Pop quiz! What year is this headline from? A. 2014 B. 2013 C. 2012 D. 2011 E. All of the above. If you answered E., you…

Media

Read More: PLCB Ethics Scandal (Again)

Education

Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

  • October 24, 2014

Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…

Commentary

Read More: Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

Health Care

Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 24, 2014

Premiums are poised to rise significantly in Pennsylvania in year two of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Three insurers announced this week that they are seeking premium increases of…

Media

Read More: Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange

Education

Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree

  • October 23, 2014

From education to health care to public pensions, it seems like the answer to every problem—for some—is always more spending. But where does that money come from? And why doesn’t…

Media

Read More: Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree

Health Care

Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 16, 2014

Four years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, few think healthcare is more affordable. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising, a new wave of Pennsylvanians are losing their…

Media

Read More: Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?

Taxes & Economy

How Would Tom Wolf’s Tax Plan Impact You?

  • October 9, 2014

Yesterday, we released an analysis of the impact of Tom Wolf’s education spending and tax proposals, finding Pennsylvania’s income tax rate would have to increase by more than…

Media

Read More: How Would Tom Wolf’s Tax Plan Impact You?

Health Care

Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 8, 2014

Need to see a dermatologist in Philadelphia? If you are on Medicaid you’ll have to wait a staggering 49 days, according to recent Merritt Hawkins survey. This is no…

Media

Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear

Education

Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals

  • October 8, 2014

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf has proposed several new spending initiatives and tax code changes, though specific details remain lacking. To give Pennsylvanians a better idea of the impact of these proposals,…

Memo

Read More: Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals

State Budget

Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2014

Last week, two major bond rating agencies (Fitch and Standards & Poor’s) downgraded Pennsylvania’s debt rating citing poor fiscal health. While this should worry voters—taxpayers will be forced to pay…

Commentary

Read More: Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending

Regulation

How Much are Pension Costs Affecting Schools?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2014

My colleague Katrina has an op-ed in The Patriot-News today explaining the gravity of the state pension crisis and why action needs to happen now. As Katrina points out,…

Media

Read More: How Much are Pension Costs Affecting Schools?

Health Care

When the Poorest Fall Through

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 6, 2014

On a Friday near noon, on the top floor of Christ Lutheran Church, John Kiessling has patients occupying both chairs at his charity dental clinic.  He buzzes from one to…

Media

Read More: When the Poorest Fall Through

Taxes & Economy

New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas Industry

  • Gordon Tomb
  • October 6, 2014

Armstrong County farmer Randy Walker worries about the effect of a natural gas severance tax on his royalties and the job market. Mr. Walker’s concerns are well founded. The natural gas…

Commentary

Read More: New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas Industry

Regulation

Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 2, 2014

Last week two Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) administrative law judges recommended against legalizing the popular transportation service Uber in Allegheny County. The reason? The company, “is not committed to…

Media

Read More: Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber

Regulation

Audio: Is There Really a Public Pension Crisis?

  • September 29, 2014

Short answer: Yes! But some—like government union leaders—deny that anything needs to be done or that there’s a crisis at all. The truth is, the consequences of inaction…

Media

Read More: Audio: Is There Really a Public Pension Crisis?

State Budget

PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 24, 2014

Every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania owes just over $10,000 in state and local debt. Today, the state House made another positive step towards reducing that debt burden.

Media

Read More: PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt

Health Care

Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2014

Montana’s Rib and Chop House in the Pittsburgh area is taking an innovative approach to providing health care coverage to employees, in spite of Obamacare. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports…

Media

Read More: Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches

State Budget

Audio: Taxpayer Protection Act Responsibly Limits Spending

  • September 22, 2014

Last week, legislation moved out of the Senate Finance Committee that would set guardrails on state government spending, establish a “Rainy Day Fund,” and, potentially, even send rebate checks back…

Media

Read More: Audio: Taxpayer Protection Act Responsibly Limits Spending

Taxes & Economy

Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 18, 2014

Good news: Pennsylvania will no longer spend 40 percent of the general fund budget on public welfare. Instead, we’ll spend it on “human services.” Yesterday, the general assembly approved HB…

Media

Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed

State Budget

Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is Needed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 16, 2014

We at the Commonwealth Foundation are pleased to welcome State Treasurer Rob McCord to the fight for fiscal restraint. McCord, along with Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, held a press conference…

Media

Read More: Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is Needed

State Budget

Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families

  • September 16, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families Stimulates Job Growth and Provides Rebates for Working Families September 16, 2014, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today,…

Press Release

Read More: Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families