Education
Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal
Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s unaffordable budget worsens Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. The governor proposes nearly $53.26 billion in general fund spending, a 6.3 percent increase over the 2025–26 enacted budget. He…
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget ProposalPennsylvania’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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The Pension Crisis Will Trigger Another Tax Hike
The 2016-17 budget is in the books with a $650 million tax increase. That's a significant increase…
Media
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A Budget of Convenience
The dust has settled on the 2016-17 budget debate—at least for the moment. Some people hail the agreement as an example of what Harrisburg can accomplish when two parties work together.
Media
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An Analysis of the 2016-17 Budget
On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13, the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: An Analysis of the 2016-17 BudgetState Budget
What’s in the Final 2016-17 Budget?
On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13,…
Media
Read More: What’s in the Final 2016-17 Budget?Government Accountability
Unlearned State Budget Lessons
Charles Mitchell, newly appointed President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, appeared last week on PMA Perspective to discuss this year’s state budget process and the “unlearned lessons” of last…
Media
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Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced
Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced Despite Fanfare, Budget Remains $300 Million in the Red July 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Yesterday, Gov. Wolf and lawmakers approved a tax and revenue package…
Press Release
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How the $650 Million Tax Increase Impacts You
The state budget is, for all intents and purposes, complete. While it remains unbalanced, we now know exactly which taxes are going up. The $650 million tax hike passed by the…
Media
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