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.

Criminal Justice Reform

Sec. John Wetzel Talks Corrections Reforms on The BOX

  • February 22, 2012

In latest podcast from The BOX, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel chats with Matt Brouillette about reducing the cost of corrections – a major expenditure in the Pennsylvania state budget…

Media

Read More: Sec. John Wetzel Talks Corrections Reforms on The BOX

State Budget

Pennsylvania Welfare Spending

  • February 22, 2012

The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Welfare Spending

Taxes & Economy

DRBC Moratorium Puts Residents’ Property Rights in Limbo

  • February 21, 2012

Wayne County land owners in favor of natural gas drilling are fed up with the Delaware River Basin Commission’s baseless moratorium on fracking. The commission has suspended natural…

Media

Read More: DRBC Moratorium Puts Residents’ Property Rights in Limbo

Regulation

State Liquor Stores’ Soviet-style Socialism Fails

  • February 16, 2012

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board once again proves it does not know how to manage a business, and its Soviet-style socialist control fails to satisfy customers. More than a month…

Media

Read More: State Liquor Stores’ Soviet-style Socialism Fails

Taxes & Economy

Report Finds Pennsylvania Welfare System Unsustainable, Hurting Poor

  • February 16, 2012

The Commonwealth Foundation released today an alarming new report on Pennsylvania public welfare that finds widespread abuse of tax dollars, with spending growing faster than the economy and exceeding education…

Press Release

Read More: Report Finds Pennsylvania Welfare System Unsustainable, Hurting Poor

Health Care

Ending the Cycle: Reforming Welfare in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 16, 2012

Government welfare, with its goal to provide a helping hand to those in need, has instead become a vast series of programs that fall far short of the good intentions…

Report

Read More: Ending the Cycle: Reforming Welfare in Pennsylvania

Taxes & Economy

Which County will be Duped into Imposing Marcellus Tax?

  • February 15, 2012

On Monday, Gov. Tom Corbett signed House Bill 1950, the Marcellus Shale impact tax, into law. The funding formula funnels the first $23 million in revenue to statewide programs. Local…

Media

Read More: Which County will be Duped into Imposing Marcellus Tax?

Health Care

CF Joins More than 400 State Lawmakers in Brief on Health Care Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 14, 2012

The Commonwealth Foundation joined 17 other organizations and 333 state legislators from across the country in an amicus curiae brief challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act passed…

Media

Read More: CF Joins More than 400 State Lawmakers in Brief on Health Care Law

Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania Corrections Spending

  • February 14, 2012

The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Corrections Spending

Public Union Democracy

House Moves Unemployment Compensation Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 13, 2012

More Unemployment Compensation reform is moving through the Pennsylvania House. Yesterday, HB 1754 sponsored by Rep. Ron Miller, and HB 1852 sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove, cleared the…

Media

Read More: House Moves Unemployment Compensation Reform

Regulation

Reforming State Borrowing for Corporate Welfare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 13, 2012

Since 1986, state lawmakers have authorized more than $4 billion in borrowing for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (or RACP). This is effectively debt for corporate welfare and…

Media

Read More: Reforming State Borrowing for Corporate Welfare

Criminal Justice Reform

Government Union Jeopardizes Criminal Justice Reform

  • February 10, 2012

As Pennsylvania takes a hard look at reforming its criminal justice system, prepare for the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association’s fear-mongering campaign against reducing prison populations. The officers’ union opposition…

Media

Read More: Government Union Jeopardizes Criminal Justice Reform

Education

It’s Not About Tuition, It’s About Mo’ Money

  • Charles Mitchell
  • February 10, 2012

Over at PA Independent, Stacy Brown has an important story on the ongoing fight over Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal.  There, Duquesne University professor Antony Davies, a member of CF’s…

Media

Read More: It’s Not About Tuition, It’s About Mo’ Money

Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Bill Summarized

  • February 9, 2012

Gov. Corbett is expected to sign HB 1950, a comprehensive bill addressing Marcellus Shale. What’s inside the bill? The Marcellus Shale impact tax included in HB 1950 falls short of…

Media

Read More: Marcellus Shale Bill Summarized

Public Union Democracy

Turn on the Fiscal Fire Hose

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 9, 2012

Since Gov. Corbett unveiled his 2012-13 budget Tuesday, we’ve noted how it reduces overall spending for only the second time in 40 years. We’ve also explained that despite…

Media

Read More: Turn on the Fiscal Fire Hose

Taxes & Economy

PA House Roll Call Vote on Marcellus Shale Billl

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 9, 2012

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House passed the HB 1950 Conference Committee Report by a 101-90 margin with 99 Republicans and 2 Democrats FOR it and 10 Republicans and 80 Democrats AGAINST…

Media

Read More: PA House Roll Call Vote on Marcellus Shale Billl

State Budget

5 Facts about Gov. Corbett’s Budget Proposal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 8, 2012

Here are five things everyone should know about Gov. Corbett’s proposed Pennsylvania state budget. Reduces overall spending. Both the General Fund and the total operating budgethave been cut – for…

Media

Read More: 5 Facts about Gov. Corbett’s Budget Proposal

Taxes & Economy

Senate Votes on Natural Gas Tax (HB1950)

  • February 8, 2012

On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1950 Conference Committee Report by a 31-19 margin with 26 Republicans and 5 Democrats FOR it and 4 Republicans…

Media

Read More: Senate Votes on Natural Gas Tax (HB1950)

Taxes & Economy

Don’t Feed the Sharks!

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 8, 2012

Many Republicans, who once opposed raising taxes, are justifying their anticipated vote to increase taxes on the natural gas industry (it’s not a FEE to pay for uncompensated costs…something…

Media

Read More: Don’t Feed the Sharks!

State Budget

Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 8, 2012

It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our…

Commentary

Read More: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy