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.

State Budget

Gov. Rendell Left Pennsylvania a Big Deficit

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 24, 2014

Recent headlines have former Gov. Ed Rendell challenging Gov. Tom Corbett on the issue of the deficit he left the current administration. Gov. Corbett has campaign ads stating he closed…

Media

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Regulation

Tableleaf is Dead, Booze Bureaucracy Remains

  • February 24, 2014

In a long overdue move, the PLCB is discontinuing its in-house wine, Tableleaf. As a refresher, Tableleaf is the PLCB’s own government-branded wine, which it introduced in 2011. Tableleaf…

Media

Read More: Tableleaf is Dead, Booze Bureaucracy Remains

Health Care

Liberal Group Screams “Murder” over Medicaid Expansion

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 14, 2014

This week, John Micek called out Keystone Progress on his Pennlive.com blog for what he termed a “disgusting” email that “has no place in our discourse.” What provoked this…

Media

Read More: Liberal Group Screams “Murder” over Medicaid Expansion

Taxes & Economy

Warning to PA: Alternative Energy Subsidies Damage Europe

  • Gordon Tomb
  • February 12, 2014

State legislators who advocate for an expansion of government incentives for alternative energy sources need to pay attention to the events happening across the pond where the European Commission is…

Media

Read More: Warning to PA: Alternative Energy Subsidies Damage Europe

State Budget

Pennsylvanians Are Losing Economic Freedom

  • Bruce Cornibe
  • February 7, 2014

Pennsylvanians are losing economic freedom according to the Fraser Institute’s annual report, Economic Freedom of North America 2013. The commonwealth is slowly losing ground ranking 33rd in 2009 and…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Are Losing Economic Freedom

State Budget

5 Facts About the State Budget Proposal

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2014

The 2014-15 Pennsylvania State Budget proposal is more than 1000 pages, but we’ve boiled it down to five facts taxpayers you need to know 1. State Spending is at an All-Time…

Media

Read More: 5 Facts About the State Budget Proposal

State Budget

State Budget Déjà Vu

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2014

Ceremonies in Punxsutawney have come and gone, but every year Groundhog Day reminds me of the film of the same name—in which Bill Murray lives the same day over and over…

Commentary

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State Budget

Governor’s Budget Right on Priorities

  • February 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact:717-671-1901 Governor's Budget Right on Priorities   February 4, 2014, HARRISBURG, Pa—In response to Governor Corbett’s budget address this afternoon, Matthew J. Brouillette,…

Press Release

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Regulation

Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
  • February 3, 2014

Over the past six fiscal years, the commonwealth has spent more than it has taken in.  This fiscal gap is projected to widen as expenditures are on pace to grow…

Report

Read More: Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

Regulation

Don’t Stop Halfway

  • January 31, 2014

Liquor privatization has been a promise, a priority and even passed the House last year. And in the roughly 11 months since that historic vote, progress remains stalled. But it’s…

Media

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Health Care

Obamacare Sticker Shock for Pittsburgh Workers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 31, 2014

The reality of Obamacare hit home for the employees of Simonetta’s Collision Repair Center in McKeesport. WTAE news captured the reaction of six employees who were told their copays,…

Media

Read More: Obamacare Sticker Shock for Pittsburgh Workers

Education

Win for Transparency in Public School Spending

  • Priya Brannick
  • January 22, 2014

How would you like to know what’s in a teachers’ contract before your school district passes it—and locks in spending—for four years? And how would you like to track how…

Media

Read More: Win for Transparency in Public School Spending

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Condition is Critical

  • Jessica Barnett
  • January 21, 2014

Pennsylvania ranks 42nd in overall fiscal condition, according to a report by Sarah Arnett of the Mercatus Center. The report, State Fiscal Condition: Ranking the 50 States, analyzes states’ abilities…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Condition is Critical

Public Union Democracy

Prohibition in Pa: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking

  • January 17, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Prohibition in PA: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking Gov. union leaders keep Pennsylvania stuck in the…

Press Release

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Regulation

For Pennsylvania, Prohibition Never Ended

  • January 17, 2014

It has been 94 years since the beginning of the nationwide prohibition on the production, distribution and sale of alcohol. Fortunately, states had the good sense to repeal the 18th…

Media

Read More: For Pennsylvania, Prohibition Never Ended

Health Care

How Government Unions Support Obamacare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 14, 2014

Government unions such as the NEA and SEIU lobbied for passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will raise the cost of health care through various mandates…

Media

Read More: How Government Unions Support Obamacare

Taxes & Economy

The True Cost of Minimum Wage

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 9, 2014

If a higher minimum wage benefits workers, why not push it to $20 or $30 or even higher? Because experience shows minimum wage increases actually hurt the very workers they…

Commentary

Read More: The True Cost of Minimum Wage

Public Union Democracy

Government Unions’ Lottery Misinformation Campagin

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 6, 2014

“Save the PA Lottery,” “Seniors pay the price,” and “Corbett’s secretive scheme” are just a few examples of how government union bosses employed scare tactics to conduct a massive misinformation…

Media

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State Budget

Budget Burdens Bring Consequences

  • January 3, 2014

Know that feeling a month after Christmas when the credit card statement shows you blew your holiday budget? Imagine the pain you’d experience after six consecutive years of spending beyond…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

EPA Regulations Threaten Pennsylvania Jobs

  • Gordon Tomb
  • January 3, 2014

The prospects for Pennsylvania coal industry have gotten so bad that Tom Crooks has contemplated moving his company from the state to find greener pastures Crooks is vice…

Media

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Regulation

2014: A Year for Pension Reform

  • Jessica Barnett
  • January 2, 2014

Pension reform promises to be on the forefront of the legislative agenda in the new year, and for good reason. PSERS and SERS, the state’s two pension systems for…

Media

Read More: 2014: A Year for Pension Reform