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

Pennsylvanians Win: Liquor Markup Increase Nixed

  • August 18, 2014

Finally some good news for booze consumers: the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has decided against increasing the markup added to each wine and spirits product, according to PLCB…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Win: Liquor Markup Increase Nixed

Regulation

Study: Selective Carve-Outs Make Poor Tax Policy

  • August 7, 2014

Lawmakers across the country have promoted specific, targeted tax breaks that encourage businesses to invest in their state. According to a recent study, these incentive programs are…

Media

Read More: Study: Selective Carve-Outs Make Poor Tax Policy

Education

PSEA Spokesman Wins the Pinocchio Award

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 29, 2014

Readers of PolicyBlog already know that Pennsylvania education spending is at a record high, that state funding to school districts for…

Media

Read More: PSEA Spokesman Wins the Pinocchio Award

Education

Taxing Business Won’t Save Students

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 25, 2014

Paul Battista told a Congressional subcommittee last year: “We can now pay a higher family-sustaining wage! We have people working for us that are the primary breadwinners of their household.”…

Commentary

Read More: Taxing Business Won’t Save Students

Regulation

Survey: Pennsylvania Unfriendly to Small Business

  • James Paul
  • July 25, 2014

You’re probably aware that Pennsylvania’s tax burden is among the most oppressive in the country. But the tax code is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes…

Media

Read More: Survey: Pennsylvania Unfriendly to Small Business

Health Care

Audio: The Beginning of the End for Obamacare?

  • July 24, 2014

This week, a federal court ruling shook the foundations of Obamacare by prohibiting tax credits and subsidies for health insurance policies purchased on the federal exchange. As Elizabeth Stelle…

Media

Read More: Audio: The Beginning of the End for Obamacare?

State Budget

House Majority Leader Moves to Reduce Debt Burden

  • July 23, 2014

On the heels of Pennsylvania’s bond rating downgrade, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai has declared his intention to ease Pennsylvanians’ debt burden. This represents a necessary step towards restoring Pennsylvania’s…

Media

Read More: House Majority Leader Moves to Reduce Debt Burden

Health Care

Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 22, 2014

Back in 2012, many laughed at the idea of challenging Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates by arguing that the law as written allows subsidies for insurance in state exchanges only.

Media

Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

Regulation

Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 22, 2014

For the third time in two years, a major bond rating agency gave Pennsylvania a downgrade. The most recent downgrade, courtesy of Moody’s, has real implications for taxpayers. Moody’s…

Media

Read More: Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers

Regulation

Latest Credit Downgrade Hits One-Time Revenues and Pension Inaction

  • July 21, 2014

Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 PA’s ‘Growing Structural Imbalance’ Cited in New Credit Downgrade One-Time Revenue Sources and Unfunded Pension Liabilities the Cause Good afternoon, Today, credit rating…

Press Release

Read More: Latest Credit Downgrade Hits One-Time Revenues and Pension Inaction

Education

Is There a Pension Crisis?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 18, 2014

PolicyBlog readers will be well-familiar with the fact that Pennsyvlania state funding for public schools is at a record high.  So why do government union leaders and some…

Media

Read More: Is There a Pension Crisis?

Regulation

Budget Shields Taxpayers, but Challenges Remain

  • July 17, 2014

A contentious budget season has officially ended after Governor Corbett signed a $29 billion appropriations bill into law. But is it fiscally responsible? And what’s holding up reforms on the…

Commentary

Read More: Budget Shields Taxpayers, but Challenges Remain

Regulation

Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle

  • July 14, 2014

On Friday, CF President Matt Brouillette joined The David Madeira Show to talk about Pennsylvania’s looming $50 billion public pension crisis and the biggest obstacles to reform: government union leaders.

Media

Read More: Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle

Public Union Democracy

Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 14, 2014

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai took to the podium last week, providing press and spectators his response to the Governor’s criticisms, blue-line budget reductions, and House priorities. We applaud…

Media

Read More: Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking Reform

Regulation

Governor Right to Blame Gov. Union Leaders on Pension Reform

  • July 10, 2014

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Lawmakers Must Battle Government Union Leaders on Pension Reform Government union leaders cited as primary opposition to tax-saving legislation Good morning, Gov. Corbett’s…

Press Release

Read More: Governor Right to Blame Gov. Union Leaders on Pension Reform

Education

State Education Spending at Record High

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 8, 2014

The recently passed Pennsylvania state budget sets a new record for state funding for public schools. The chart below illustrates this growth over the years. The total budgeted for the…

Media

Read More: State Education Spending at Record High

State Budget

Five Facts About the 2014 State Budget

  • July 2, 2014

On June 30, the General Assembly passed a $29.1 billion budget, sending it to Gov. Corbett for his approval. While Gov. Corbett is taking time to review…

Media

Read More: Five Facts About the 2014 State Budget

Regulation

Pension Reform Roadblock: Gov. Union Executives

  • July 1, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Government Union Executives Again Stand in the Way of Reform Pension Bill Stalls in House Despite Looming Crisis July 1,…

Press Release

Read More: Pension Reform Roadblock: Gov. Union Executives

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Unions Block Pension Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 1, 2014

Lawmakers may have agreed on a no-new-taxes budget, but the cost drivers behind this year’s budget shortfall and Pennsylvania’s annual budget crisis remain unchanged. Chief among those cost drivers is…

Media

Read More: Gov. Unions Block Pension Reform