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
What Is Wolf’s Plan?
In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Wolf stated, “But if you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It’s not good enough…
Media
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Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto
Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto Balanced, No-Tax-Hike Budget with Record School Spending Nearing Wolf’s Desk March 16 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With school districts across…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget VetoState Budget
Wolf’s Bad Budget Bluffs
The Senate just passed and the House will soon vote on another no-tax-hike, balanced budget for fiscal year 2015-16. Gov. Wolf has already promised to veto it. Remarkably, the governor…
Media
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Taxpayers on the Hook for Wolf’s Spending Binge
Despite the lack of a completed state budget, and no support for his unpopular tax hike proposals, Gov. Wolf continues to rack up additional costs for taxpayers: Wolf's…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers on the Hook for Wolf’s Spending BingeGovernment Accountability
Gov. Wolf’s Self-Created Constitutional Conflict
Rep. Bill Adolph accused the Wolf administration of creating a budget crisis during Thursday's final House Appropriations Committee budget hearing. In an op-ed published Friday,…
Media
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Wolf’s “Plague” on Public Education
Schools across Pennsylvania are feeling the squeeze from Gov. Tom Wolf’s $3 billion education funding cut. In Red Lion, Carbondale, Plum, and Erie—to name just…
Media
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Why Did Wolf Veto PERC Funding?
Some positive news emerged last week, Gov. Wolf agreed—as part of a lawsuit filed by Rep. Steve Bloom and Rep. Seth Grove—to a temporary deal to keep the Public…
Media
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Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax Proposal
Governor Wolf continues to press for a natural gas severance tax despite ongoing layoffs and potential bankruptcies in the natural gas industry.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax ProposalRegulation
We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare
We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare Looking for State Budget Fixes? Cut $700 Million in Unfair Subsidies March 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Wolf administration claims important state…
Press Release
Read More: We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate WelfareEducation
School Funding Myths Debunked
Can Pennsylvania do better when it comes to educating our children? Absolutely. But playing “myths for money” will never lead to real solutions for families and students.
Commentary
Read More: School Funding Myths DebunkedState Budget
No One Person is to Blame for Pennsylvania’s Problems
Proponents of bigger goverment have crafted a narrative that government has been cut to the bone. Pennsylvania needs massive tax hikes, they say, to repair the damage done by Gov. Corbett, whose slash-and-burn budgeting…
Media
Read More: No One Person is to Blame for Pennsylvania’s ProblemsRegulation
Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each
Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each Benefit Costs Tripled Since 2000 February 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As Gov. Wolf calls for a record-high $80 billion…
Press Release
Read More: Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K EachState Budget
Wolf’s Policies Send Pennsylvanians Packing
Last year, we lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes—a net migration of 41,600 residents, gone. That’s nearly the entire population of York, Gov. Wolf’s hometown. Ironically, Wolf…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Policies Send Pennsylvanians PackingState Budget
One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want to Move Away
Residents in states with high taxes to want to move out, according to a recent Gallup poll. This includes 33 percent of Pennsylvania residents. This shouldn't be a shocker—Pennsylvania families…
Media
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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
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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
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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
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