Regulation
Shapiro’s “Fast-Track” program is great for his allies, but bad for Pennsylvania
Originally published at The Patriot-News Is Josh Shapiro the future of the Democratic Party? He certainly wants to be, but he just failed an early test. This…
Read More: Shapiro’s “Fast-Track” program is great for his allies, but bad for PennsylvaniaPennsylvania’s notoriously high level of regulation is a burden on our state economy. To make the Keystone State a competitive place to live, work, or grow a business, reforms are needed to rein in the regulatory process. Taxpayers deserve a streamlined regulatory process that scrutinizes proposed regulations to ensure frivolous reforms do not overburden the state economy and do not prevent job-seekers from accessing employment.
Regulation
Forced Parental Leave Will Decimate Allegheny County Small Businesses
Originally published by TribLIVE. Once upon a time, I ran a construction business with my brother, and, like most small business owners, we faced the ceaseless…
Media Hit
Read More: Forced Parental Leave Will Decimate Allegheny County Small BusinessesRegulation
From Red Tape to Red Carpet [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania state government has been notorious for red tape. Now, lawmakers are working to roll out the red carpet to streamline the permitting process. Andrew Lewis sits down with…
Blog
Read More: From Red Tape to Red Carpet [PODCAST]Energy
PA Data Centers—No Roadblocks, No Special Favors
Companies have announced $90 billion in planned data center investment in Pennsylvania. That’s not a small number. It means jobs, better infrastructure, more energy development, and a bigger tax base…
Blog
Read More: PA Data Centers—No Roadblocks, No Special FavorsRegulation
A Free-Market Approach to Childcare
Testimony of Elizabeth Stelle, Vice President of PolicyCommonwealth FoundationHouse GOP Policy CommitteeHearing on Childcare AffordabilityJune 3, 2026 Chairman Rowe and members of the committee: Thank you for the invitation…
Testimony
Read More: A Free-Market Approach to ChildcareRegulation
Minimum Wage 2026
Summary The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) numbers for 2025 show less than one percent of Pennsylvania workers (42,900) earn the minimum wage or…
Fact Sheet
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Deficit Watch: May 2026
Background Pennsylvania continues to face serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2025–26 General Fund budget created a $4.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: May 2026Regulation
This One Law is Throttling High-Speed Internet in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is sitting on $711 million in federal broadband funding. But a bureaucratic misclassification, buried inside a Pennsylvania law, threatens to undermine the whole effort—and now…
Blog
Read More: This One Law is Throttling High-Speed Internet in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Pennsylvania Is Losing Businesses and Workers. These Commonsense Solutions Will Bring Them Back.
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Sadly, one of the nation’s biggest employers is closing in Pennsylvania. Saks & Company recently announced plans to shut down…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Is Losing Businesses and Workers. These Commonsense Solutions Will Bring Them Back.Regulation
Fixing the Childcare Affordability Crisis in Pennsylvania
Key Points Statewide numbers for 2024 show the average annual cost of center-based infant care in Pennsylvania at $14,910, or 11.5 percent of the median married…
Backgrounder
Read More: Fixing the Childcare Affordability Crisis in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Pennsylvania Permitting Feels the Need for SPEED
Permitting is a mess in Pennsylvania, leaving many businesses in the dark about when they can begin their work. This is especially true with those seeking permission from the Department…
Blog
Read More: Pennsylvania Permitting Feels the Need for SPEEDRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Economy Will Grow When Harrisburg Gets Out of the Way
Originally published by The Mercury. Gov. Josh Shapiro often brags about “moving at the speed of business.” But his efforts to draw private investment to Pennsylvania rely heavily on corporate…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy Will Grow When Harrisburg Gets Out of the WayEnergy
Efforts to Kill Gas Industry Disguised as Environmental Protection
Originally published by the Times Leader. Newly proposed regulations on Pennsylvania natural gas purport to protect the environment. However, the restrictions, if passed, would shut down…
Media Hit
Read More: Efforts to Kill Gas Industry Disguised as Environmental ProtectionEnergy
Deregulation Didn’t Cause the Energy Crunch—but Re-Regulation Will Make It Worse
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. Pennsylvanians are feeling the financial pinch when they receive their monthly electricity bills. Statewide, electricity demand has reached record-level highs,…
Media Hit
Read More: Deregulation Didn’t Cause the Energy Crunch—but Re-Regulation Will Make It WorseEducation
What Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Prioritize in 2026
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania stands at a pivotal moment. Families are stretched thin by higher costs, and employers are weighing whether to invest here or elsewhere. We can’t…
Commentary
Read More: What Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Prioritize in 2026Education
The Top Five Policy Victories of 2025—and a Look Ahead to 2026
Pennsylvania saw no shortage of controversies and political battles in 2025, including a four-month-long budget impasse. But this year also saw lawmakers enact several pro-growth policies—from expanding educational choice to…
Blog
Read More: The Top Five Policy Victories of 2025—and a Look Ahead to 2026Energy
Pennsylvania Needs More Energy and Sensible Regulation to Lure Data Centers
Originally published by Broad and Liberty. In July, nearly two dozen companies gathered in Pittsburgh, along with President Donald Trump and other leaders, to announce investments in data centers and…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Needs More Energy and Sensible Regulation to Lure Data CentersEducation
Despite Shapiro’s Failed Leadership, 2025-26 Budget Secures Key Permitting Wins, Ends Threat of RGGI
Harrisburg, Pa., November 12, 2025 — Despite Gov. Josh Shapiro’s failed leadership and a 135-day stalemate, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a compromise budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The Commonwealth Foundation has released…
Press Release
Read More: Despite Shapiro’s Failed Leadership, 2025-26 Budget Secures Key Permitting Wins, Ends Threat of RGGIEducation
What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 State Budget
Summary Four months late, Gov. Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers agreed on a state budget deal. The agreement spends $1.4 billion less than Shapiro’s reckless, extreme proposal, and uses excessive…
Backgrounder
Read More: What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 State BudgetEnergy
Commonwealth Foundation Testifies on Energy Affordability
On October 28, lawmakers and policy experts from across the Mid-Atlantic region convened in Harrisburg to address rising energy costs and discuss potential solutions. Elizabeth Stelle, vice president of…
Blog
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Testifies on Energy AffordabilityRegulation
Shapiro’s Policies Will Sink PA’s Economic Progress
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. A recent Politico article highlights a New Jersey candidate touting Pennsylvania as a better model for the Garden State. Meanwhile, a left-leaning economist’s …
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s Policies Will Sink PA’s Economic ProgressEnergy
Has Governor Shapiro Reformed Permitting? Business Leaders Say, ‘No.’
Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. On Aug. 12, 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro introduced the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program,…
Media Hit
Read More: Has Governor Shapiro Reformed Permitting? Business Leaders Say, ‘No.’