Regulation
Cutting Red Tape in Pennsylvania
This report presents findings from Mercatus Center’s State RegData database, analyzing regulations in the Pennsylvania Code as of 2022. The report provides an overview of state regulations, how Pennsylvania’s regulatory…
Read More: Cutting Red Tape in 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
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 WayRegulation
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 ProtectionRegulation
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 WorseRegulation
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 2026Regulation
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 2026Regulation
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 CentersRegulation
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 RGGIRegulation
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 BudgetRegulation
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…
Organization Updates
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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 ProgressRegulation
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.’Regulation
Installing Broadband is Expensive—and L&I Isn’t Helping
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania needs more broadband. Connecting underserved communities to affordable, high-speed internet will help rural communities prosper. Unfortunately, one misguided Pennsylvania policy makes the process needlessly expensive…
Media Hit
Read More: Installing Broadband is Expensive—and L&I Isn’t HelpingRegulation
It’s Time to REIN in Pennsylvania Regulations
Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) recently highlighted how his plans to “fast-track” permitting helped Amazon invest $20 million in new workforce and…
Media Hit
Read More: It’s Time to REIN in Pennsylvania RegulationsRegulation
Pennsylvania Energy Returns to the National Spotlight—No Thanks to Governor Shapiro
Yesterday, lawmakers and business executives convened in Pittsburgh to celebrate Pennsylvania’s bright future—all thanks to the commonwealth’s robust energy sector. The event, titled the “Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit,”…
Blog
Read More: Pennsylvania Energy Returns to the National Spotlight—No Thanks to Governor ShapiroRegulation
What Pennsylvania Can Learn From Louisiana About Energy Policy
Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Louisiana, the third-largest producer of natural gas nationally, has capitalized on President Donald Trump’s energy policies, which represent an about-face turn…
Media Hit
Read More: What Pennsylvania Can Learn From Louisiana About Energy PolicyRegulation
Pennsylvania Can Learn from Ohio and West Virginia
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Over the last decade, Pennsylvania has lost population and businesses to more competitive states. But this outmigration offers clues on how Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Can Learn from Ohio and West VirginiaRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio and West Virginia
Originally published by TribLIVE. Pennsylvania’s nickname of the Keystone State, as variously reported, originates with the deciding vote for independence by a Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress or in…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio and West VirginiaRegulation
Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro once said, “Leaders have a responsibility to speak truth.” Yet, truth be told, the governor’s lack of leadership on this…
Media Hit
Read More: Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?