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.

2024 state budget resources

Regulation

Policy Memo: Ideas to Balance the 2017-18 Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 5, 2017

With a spending plan in place, lawmakers should focus their efforts on reinventing state government to balance the budget, including ending horse racing subsidies.

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: Ideas to Balance the 2017-18 Budget

State Budget

Lawmakers’ Choices: Higher Taxes or Real Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 5, 2017

Half the state budget is done: the spending list. The Pennsylvania House and Senate passed a general appropriations bill on Friday. But the other half—how to pay for it—remains. The…

Media

Read More: Lawmakers’ Choices: Higher Taxes or Real Reform

Criminal Justice Reform

How to Revamp Pa.’s Criminal Justice System

  • July 3, 2017

Pennsylvania can reduce its prison population by more than 1,000 people while saving approximately $108 million over five years, according to a Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) Working Group Report.

Media

Read More: How to Revamp Pa.’s Criminal Justice System

Public Union Democracy

Balancing Pennsylvania’s Budget: Tax or Reform?

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 30, 2017

Government unions are rallying in Harrisburg, demanding more money from Pennsylvanians to justify an even larger state budget. It’s worth asking, how did we get here again? And what…

Media

Read More: Balancing Pennsylvania’s Budget: Tax or Reform?

Regulation

What to Know about the Senate Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2017

Late last night, the Senate unveiled its version of the spending side of a state budget. The Senate advanced the bill from the Appropriations Committee with a full floor vote…

Media

Read More: What to Know about the Senate Budget

Regulation

Op-Ed: Learn from Last Year’s Budget Mistakes

  • June 29, 2017

Before you dismiss the budget debate as political theater, consider this: The deals hashed out in Harrisburg could blow a hole in your own budget or even strip you of…

Commentary

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State Budget

PA Budget: What the Constitution Mandates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2017

As lawmakers debate the details of a new state budget, it’s crucial to remember what our state constitution requires them to do. The Pennsylvania Constitution does not require a…

Media

Read More: PA Budget: What the Constitution Mandates

State Budget

Focusing on What Matters in the Tax Credit Debate

  • Bob Dick
  • June 27, 2017

Pennsylvania provides tax credits for film production, concerts and video games. House Bill 1519 would combine these credits into one Multimedia Tax Credit Fund. But consolidating tax credits doesn't address…

Media

Read More: Focusing on What Matters in the Tax Credit Debate

Regulation

Is a Budget Deja Vu in Pennsylvania’s Future?

  • June 26, 2017

The General Assembly is floating a plan to balance the state budget with higher taxes and more borrowing, according to Charles Thompson of PennLive. Sound familiar? Lawmakers adopted…

Media

Read More: Is a Budget Deja Vu in Pennsylvania’s Future?

State Budget

Stop Calling for Higher Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2017

In comments at the Pennsylvania Press Club yesterday, Sen. Jay Costa addressed the state deficit and called for tax increases. Costa said, “A year from now, someone will be standing…

Media

Read More: Stop Calling for Higher Taxes

State Budget

The Solution to Pa.’s Perpetual Deficit Problems

  • June 19, 2017

Pennsylvania is rapidly approaching the June 30 budget deadline. Over the next two weeks, lawmakers will decide how to balance the 2017-18 budget. But they’ll also need to settle old…

Media

Read More: The Solution to Pa.’s Perpetual Deficit Problems

Health Care

One Step Towards Redesigning Human Services

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 15, 2017

Governor Wolf’s proposal to merge four state agencies into the Department of Health and Human Services has the potential to benefit taxpayers and beneficiaries by eliminating bureaucratic redundancies and providing…

Media

Read More: One Step Towards Redesigning Human Services

Regulation

Policy Points: Pennsylvania’s Debt Burden

  • June 15, 2017

State and local debt levels have exploded since 2002. When combined with the commonwealth’s unfunded liabilities, total state obligations exceed $17,600 for every Pennsylvania resident.

Fact Sheet

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Regulation

Pennsylvania Ranks Poorly…Again

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 14, 2017

Redesigning state government has never been more important. For evidence, check out Pennsylvania’s poor performance in U.S. News & World Report’s recent Best States Rankings. Overall, the study puts the…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Ranks Poorly…Again

Criminal Justice Reform

Policy Memo: Principles for State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 14, 2017

With the 2017 budget, lawmakers have an opportunity to double down on the idea of reinventing government and adopt meaningful reforms that will save taxpayers money, stimulate economic growth, and improve services…

Memo

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Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2017

  • June 5, 2017

For the first time in seven months, the commonwealth’s revenue collections exceeded expectations. Pennsylvania collected $2.6 billion in May—$98.5 million more than anticipated. Still, total collections remain approximately…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2017

State Budget

Send a Message on Tax Hikes

  • June 2, 2017

Pennsylvania doesn't need to spend more, we need to spend smarter. Let your lawmakers know that taxes are high enough. Email Gov. Wolf and your state lawmakers today.  …

Media

Read More: Send a Message on Tax Hikes