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.
State Budget
One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want Out
One-Third of Pa. Residents Want Out High Taxes Driving Thousands of Pennsylvanians Across State Lines February 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—One-third of Pennsylvanians would rather move to another state than…
Press Release
Read More: One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want OutEducation
Wolf Tops $1 Billion in New Education Spending
As expected, a cornerstone of Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal is a massive increase in state support of public schools. The administration seeks a $1.1 billion increase over the record-high funding…
Media
Read More: Wolf Tops $1 Billion in New Education SpendingState Budget
Wolf Will Veto Prison Funding, Send the Money Anyway
In a bizarre news twist, Gov. Tom Wolf is threatening to veto a bill because…well, reasons. According to the AP: Democratic Governor Tom Wolf says he will veto…
Media
Read More: Wolf Will Veto Prison Funding, Send the Money AnywayState Budget
Deficit Hypocrisy
Much has been made of the state’s structural deficit, which amounts to about 3 percent of Pennsylvania's total operating budget. Unfortunately, Gov. Wolf can't envision a scenario in which government adopts reforms…
Media
Read More: Deficit HypocrisyState Budget
True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per Worker
True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per Worker Total Operating Budget to Reach $80 Billion for First Time February 11, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Did you know the state…
Press Release
Read More: True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per WorkerState Budget
Five Facts about Wolf’s Second Budget Proposal
More of the same Wolf’s proposed budget mirrors what he offered—and lawmakers repeatedly rejected—last year: Massive tax hikes and record spending increases. It’s no surprise Wolf didn’t want to…
Media
Read More: Five Facts about Wolf’s Second Budget ProposalEducation
Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years
Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years Slaps Pennsylvanians with $850 per Family of Four Tax Increase February 9, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, Gov. Tom Wolf doubled…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 YearsEducation
Pennsylvania Education Spending Trends
Pennsylvania school districts spent $26.1 billion in 2013-14, an all-time high, according to the latest data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This represents a $600 million increase from 2012-13.
Memo
Read More: Pennsylvania Education Spending TrendsState Budget
A Brief History of Wolf’s Tax Hikes
In 2015, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed five broad-based tax hikes on working families—each of which was eventually rejected by state lawmakers. Here's some background on each of Gov. Wolf’s tax…
Memo
Read More: A Brief History of Wolf’s Tax HikesEducation
Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local Budgets
Pennsylvania taxpayers shoulder the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Consequently, the Keystone State has seen an exodus of working people. Unsustainable growth in…
Memo
Read More: Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local BudgetsState Budget
How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?
Pennsylvania currently has the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Yet Gov. Wolf proposed historic tax hikes last year and continues to press for tax increases. Here’s an…
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?State Budget
Reversing the Status Quo in Pennsylvania
Higher government spending and raising taxes—while ignoring key fiscal reforms—is the status quo in Pennsylvania. For 45 years, government spending has steadily risen, increasing by an inflation-adjusted $13,800 per family of four or $3,450…
Memo
Read More: Reversing the Status Quo in PennsylvaniaState Budget
Audio: PA Budget Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day has come and gone, but Gov. Wolf hasn’t stopped celebrating Punxsutawney Phil’s big day. Paying homage to the theme of the Groundhog Day movie, Wolf has trapped Pennsylvanians in…
Media
Read More: Audio: PA Budget Groundhog DayState Budget
Is Pa. Budget Groundhog Day Ahead?
Instead of changing course entering the new budget season, Wolf appears poised to continue governing by attack ad. No wonder the latest polling shows Wolf’s approval is lower now than…
Commentary
Read More: Is Pa. Budget Groundhog Day Ahead?Education
Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans
Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans Pa. Spends $3,400 More Per Student than the National Average February 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today at 2 p.m., Gov. Wolf…
Press Release
Read More: Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education PlansState Budget
Demographics Destined to Hold Pennsylvania Back?
Last year, Pennsylvania lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes. In total, the state’s net domestic migration rate was negative: 41,607 more people moved out of Pennsylvania than…
Media
Read More: Demographics Destined to Hold Pennsylvania Back?State Budget
Despite Name-Calling, Wolf’s Tax Hike is the Largest
The Wolf administration continues to deny basic facts about their original proposed tax hike. Instead of responding with facts, the governor's staff relies on name-calling and personal attacks. The Altoona Mirror…
Media
Read More: Despite Name-Calling, Wolf’s Tax Hike is the LargestEducation
Wolf’s $3 Billion Education Cut
Upon finally approving the majority of a state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf admonished the General Assembly for “cutting $95 million from public schools.” Yet it is the governor himself who…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s $3 Billion Education CutGovernment Accountability
Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets
Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets Budget Companion Bill Picks Winners at Lobbyists’ Behest January 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—On Tuesday, the Pa. House passed a “fiscal code” which…
Press Release
Read More: Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark SecretsGovernment Accountability
Fiscal Code Packed with Earmarks
Pennsylvania's fiscal code is intended to provide lawmakers with instructions for spending funds appropriated in the state budget. But it is also ground-zero for a host of earmarks that funnel limited…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Code Packed with EarmarksState Budget
Fiscal Code Protects Kids and Jobs
Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a revised fiscal code, HB 1327, to implement parts of the state budget. The fiscal code explains how revenues will be distributed, including transfers…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Code Protects Kids and Jobs