Pennsylvania’s complex state budget has enabled policymakers to keep taxpayers in the dark when it comes to state spending. Year after year, some elected officials use budget gimmicks to both make the budget appear balanced and to secure their own agendas. Pennsylvanians deserve reforms that bring true transparency to the budgeting process. We must limit spending growth to a sustainable rate, ensuring the state government—like hardworking taxpayers—live within its means.

Prosperity

Pennsylvania’s running out of money

  • Andrew Holman
  • January 21, 2025

Originally published at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Stacy Garrity recently issued an urgent warning: This year’s budget will determine the commonwealth’s economic future — so lawmakers must plan wisely. Garrity, reelected…

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania’s running out of money

Prosperity

The Rainy Day Fund

  • January 14, 2025

Summary The Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, commonly referred to as the Rainy Day Fund, is Pennsylvania’s largest budgetary reserve fund. Pennsylvania law dictates that lawmakers may only draw from the…

Fact Sheet

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Prosperity

Deficit Watch: January 2025

  • Andrew Holman
  • January 10, 2025

Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit, with $47.6 billion in spending and only $43.9 billion in net…

Deficit Watch

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Public Union Democracy

Governor Shapiro’s SEPTA Bailout is Another Failure of Leadership

  • November 22, 2024

Harrisburg, PA, November 22, 2024 — Gov. Josh Shapiro today announced a plan to divert federal funds to bail out the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). At a press conference in Philadelphia,…

Press Release

Read More: Governor Shapiro’s SEPTA Bailout is Another Failure of Leadership

Education

Pennsylvania is Now the Bellwether on Democrats’ Future

  • Andrew Lewis
  • November 21, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The Keystone State was expected to be the bellwether on November 5th, and it didn’t disappoint. Not only did Donald Trump carry Pennsylvania …

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania is Now the Bellwether on Democrats’ Future

Education

Pennsylvania Democrats have no mandate—except to compromise

  • Andrew Lewis
  • November 20, 2024

Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania Democrats took a bigger shellacking than most people realize. By now, everyone knows that Republicans cleaned up in federal races. Donald…

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania Democrats have no mandate—except to compromise

State Budget

How to Fix Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Dilemma

  • Andrew Holman
  • November 18, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvanians just elected 228 state senators and representatives. These candidates-turned-lawmakers spent the past several months doing all the challenging work of campaigning: giving speeches, knocking…

Media Hit

Read More: How to Fix Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Dilemma

State Budget

EITC and Economically Disadvantaged Schools

  • November 11, 2024

Summary The Economically Disadvantaged School component of the EITC provides supplementary scholarships for Pennsylvania students receiving scholarships and attending private schools with the greatest financial need. These supplementary scholarships for…

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Challenges

  • November 6, 2024

Summary Pennsylvania’s fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 state budget has created a $3.6 billion structural budget deficit. Without a major shift in direction, this deficit will persist and grow in future…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Challenges

State Budget

The Taxpayer Protection Act

  • October 29, 2024

Summary Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural deficit that will force lawmakers to cut spending or increase taxes. State spending growth far outpaces inflation, population growth, and economic growth. This…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act

Education

How to Win Pennsylvania

  • Andrew Lewis
  • October 15, 2024

Originally published at City Journal With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is the nation’s largest swing state. Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump have inundated the…

Media Hit

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Education

Commonwealth Foundation names Andrew Lewis as new president and CEO

  • Andrew Lewis, Charles Mitchell
  • September 26, 2024

Originally published at Broad + Liberty The Commonwealth Foundation, a think tank focused on “transforming free-market ideas into actionable public policies,” appointed Andrew Lewis, a former Pennsylvania state representative…

Media Hit

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Education

Commonwealth Foundation Welcomes Andrew Lewis as President and CEO

  • September 4, 2024

Harrisburg, Pa., September 4, 2024—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously named Andrew Lewis the organization’s sixth president and CEO effective September 19, 2024. Lewis served four years in…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Welcomes Andrew Lewis as President and CEO

Education

DNC Ad Highlights Josh Shapiro’s Record: Ain’t Got Sh*t Done

  • August 20, 2024

Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 20, 2024—While Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro makes the rounds at Democratic Convention events in Chicago, the Commonwealth Foundation is highlighting his lack of legislative accomplishments in an…

Press Release

Read More: DNC Ad Highlights Josh Shapiro’s Record: Ain’t Got Sh*t Done

Education

Shapiro Lost the Veepstakes–and He Only Has Himself to Blame

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 13, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Earlier this month, all signs pointed to Gov. Josh Shapiro joining Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic presidential ticket. After all, Shapiro sits atop…

Media Hit

Read More: Shapiro Lost the Veepstakes–and He Only Has Himself to Blame

State Budget

Mass Transit Bailout

  • August 13, 2024

Summary Mass transit agencies, including Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) in Pittsburgh, have seen steep declines in ridership since 2019. Gov. Josh Shapiro…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Josh Shapiro Can Now Focus on Leading Pennsylvania

  • August 13, 2024

Harrisburg, Pa., August 13, 2024 — Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate should have Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro asking himself, why Walz, writes Commonwealth…

Press Release

Read More: Josh Shapiro Can Now Focus on Leading Pennsylvania