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
Government Accountability
Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining Process
Gov. Tom Wolf has an opportunity to deliver a fresh start to Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process. Over the next few months, the governor and his administration will be negotiating…
Media
Read More: Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining ProcessPublic Union Democracy
Prevailing Wage Reform in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law was enacted in 1961, mandating that state and local governments pay construction contractors wages that “prevail” in each region on projects costing $25,000 or more. This…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Prevailing Wage Reform in PennsylvaniaState Budget
Wolf’s Unfair Tax Shift
School districts that receive the most in state funding today would also be the biggest winners under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal for property tax rebates. Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax shift fails…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Unfair Tax ShiftState Budget
Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Property Tax Shift
As part of his 2015-16 budget proposal, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed using some revenue from increased state taxes for school property tax relief beginning in 2016-17. This policy brief examines…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Property Tax ShiftState Budget
Video: Debating Gov. Wolf?s Costly Budget
Last week, CF President & CEO Matthew Brouillette appeared on PCN’s Call-In Program with Steve Herzenberg, the Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center, to discuss Gov. Wolf’s costly…
Media
Read More: Video: Debating Gov. Wolf?s Costly BudgetEnergy
Natural Gas Severance Tax
A severance tax must be considered in light of the state’s total tax structure. Pennsylvania taxes the natural gas industry in many ways that don’t exist in other drilling states.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Natural Gas Severance TaxState Budget
A Broken Promise Could Break the Bank
During the gubernatorial campaign, Tom Wolf promised not to raise taxes on middle class Pennsylvanians. Despite this promise, the governor proposed a budget including the largest tax increase in…
Media
Read More: A Broken Promise Could Break the BankGovernment Accountability
Collective Bargaining Transparency
Government union contract negotiations can have far reaching implications because they set compensation for tens of thousands of public employees, costing taxpayers billions each year. Despite the enormous impact, the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Collective Bargaining TransparencyState 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…
Media
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 Solutions