Education
Governor Shapiro’s Massive Budget Brings Excessive Spending, New Taxes, and Future Tax Hikes
Video statements for broadcast media are available here. Harrisburg, Pa., February 4, 2025 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2025 Pennsylvania budget address, proposing a $3.9 billion spending increase.
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Massive Budget Brings Excessive Spending, New Taxes, and Future Tax HikesPennsylvania’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.
Public Union Democracy
A Dramatic Shift in Pennsylvania
From celebration to soul-searching, post-election analysis is everywhere. While top-of-the-ballot results dominate headlines and your news feed, don’t miss the dramatic shift that occurred last night in Pennsylvania. Republicans achieved…
Media
Read More: A Dramatic Shift in PennsylvaniaState Budget
Prioritizing Tax Revenue over People
PennLive recently published an editorial analyzing the General Assembly’s actions—or lack thereof—on key issues during the last two weeks of the legislative session. Their views on the e-cigarette (vape) tax deserve special…
Media
Read More: Prioritizing Tax Revenue over PeopleRegulation
House Votes to Prevent Further Harm to the Vaping Community
Gov. Wolf and the legislature clearly erred in their attempt to raise revenue on the backs of small vape shop business owners like Dori, Chris, Scottie, and…
Media
Read More: House Votes to Prevent Further Harm to the Vaping CommunityRegulation
Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the Hook
In the past six years, Pennsylvania taxpayers’ unfunded pension liability has more than doubled from less than $30 billion to $63 billion. While the legislative debate over reform continues, Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the HookRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016
Pennsylvania’s state budget is three months old and showing signs of a major budget deficit. Actual revenue collections are already behind $218.5 million through the first quarter, according to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016Government Accountability
Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions
In a recent interview with Stephanie Renee, host of WURD AM’s The Mojo, Nathan Benefield discussed the roots of Pennsylvania’s pension crisis and how to fix it. Pension debt has stacked up…
Media
Read More: Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. PensionsRegulation
How to Fix the Vape Tax
The House will return to session later today, with the Senate to follow early next week. The two chambers are in session for a total of nine days. This gives lawmakers a limited…
Media
Read More: How to Fix the Vape TaxState Budget
Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating Inequality
Gov. Wolf is embracing a government that works for the wealthy and well-connected. Yesterday, his administration announced its intention to commit more than $20.5 million to Aramark just to…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating InequalityState Budget
Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce Spending
Fiscal responsibility is at a premium across the country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. In June, lawmakers passed a budget that increased spending by $1.6 billion. Weeks later, they passed…
Media
Read More: Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce SpendingState Budget
Podcast: How Money Walks Out of Pennsylvania
Last year, nearly 42,000 Pennsylvanians left the state to pursue their dreams elsewhere—that's one person every 12 and a half minutes. Why is money walking out of Pennsylvania? That’s…
Media
Read More: Podcast: How Money Walks Out of PennsylvaniaRegulation
State Government is Killing My Business
In 2013, I opened my first business. I’d overcome many challenges and assumed some gut-wrenching risks to get there, but I did it—and I was proud. But less than three…
Commentary
Read More: State Government is Killing My BusinessState Budget
More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak Out
Amy Crivella was addicted to cigarettes. She tried everything—gum, patches, going cold turkey—but nothing worked. Then, she tried e-cigarettes, or vaping, and she didn’t need a cigarette for the first time…
Media
Read More: More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak OutState Budget
Seven Threats to the 2017-18 Budget
The 2016-17 budget remains unbalanced. Without serious efforts to reduce spending or reform major cost drivers, like public pensions and the sprawling human services system, taxpayers should expect a push…
Memo
Read More: Seven Threats to the 2017-18 BudgetState Budget
Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax Continues
Backlash over the punitive 40 percent wholesale e-cigarette tax continues. Yesterday, CF Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle discussed its devastating impacts with WILK-FM's L.A. Tarone. Stelle explained how this…
Media
Read More: Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax ContinuesRegulation
How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s Dream
Scottie Freeman wants to serve his community. He opened a vapor shop in a depressed part of Erie and planned to use the shop’s proceeds to open up an ice…
Media
Read More: How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s DreamState Budget
5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017
The 2016-17 budget has passed, yet it remains unbalanced, relying on borrowing money and yet-to-be-passed legislation. Many revenue estimates are overly optimistic. Without efforts to reduce spending or reform cost drivers like pensions…
Media
Read More: 5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017Regulation
Government Favoritism Hurts Honest Businesses
Buried in a little debated 267-page tax code bill is a provision emblematic of Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture. The provision directs hotel tax revenue generated inside a Neighborhood…
Media
Read More: Government Favoritism Hurts Honest BusinessesRegulation
Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the Worse
Government’s heavy hand can cause immense harm. Dori Odosso (pictured) and Chris Hughes know this all too well. Both small business owners are concerned about a crushing new tax…
Media
Read More: Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the WorseState Budget
Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That
Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That Digital Downloads Tax Takes Effect Today August 1, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvanians who didn’t stock up on iTunes, eBooks, and game apps…
Press Release
Read More: Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for ThatState Budget
Taxes Threaten Chris’s Livelihood
Chris Hughes has owned Fat Cat Vapor Shop for almost three years. The shop—tucked away in a small Lycoming County borough—specializes in electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), which many people seek as…
Media
Read More: Taxes Threaten Chris’s LivelihoodRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon
Corporate welfare projects and celebratory press releases go together like peanut butter and jelly. For the most recent example in Pennsylvania, see the latest from the governor’s communications office:…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon