Education
New Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Bipartisanship in Pa. Budget Process
Harrisburg, Pa., July 2, 2024 — As Gov. Josh Shapiro failed to enact the 2024–25 Pennsylvania budget by the June 30th deadline, voters overwhelmingly support increased bipartisanship in the budget process,…
Read More: New Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Bipartisanship in Pa. Budget ProcessPennsylvania’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
Health Care
A Sign of Things to Come?
Cancelled health care plans, an unusable exchange website—do we still trust the federal government to deliver on its health care promises? In what could be a sign of what’s to…
Media
Read More: A Sign of Things to Come?Government Accountability
PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!
This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its annual report. In case reading a 56-page government document isn’t in your weekend plans, here are my notes: Their stated…
Media
Read More: PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!Regulation
We Just Lowered the Debt Ceiling
Yesterday, House and Senate leaders came together to negotiate a deal—that passed with bipartisan support in both chambers—to reduce our debt ceiling. If that sounds unbelievable, I should…
Media
Read More: We Just Lowered the Debt CeilingState Budget
New Video: Budget Season Wrap Up
Gov. Corbett signed a more than $28 billion budget at the end of June—but was it a win for you the taxpayer? CF policy experts offer answers on this and…
Media
Read More: New Video: Budget Season Wrap UpPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions Torpedo Agenda
The state budget deadline came and went without passage of any of the “Big Three” policy items—liquor store privatization, pension reform, or transportation tax and fee increases. It was clear…
Media
Read More: Government Unions Torpedo AgendaHealth Care
Lawmakers Stand up for Taxpayers, Reject Medicaid Expansion
Yesterday, 108 House Representatives voted to protect taxpayers from an expansion of the broken and unaffordable Medicaid program. You can thank them here. Medicaid expansion is an optional part of…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Stand up for Taxpayers, Reject Medicaid ExpansionPublic Union Democracy
Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep Fighting
This past weekend was not for the political faint of heart. Special interests, led by government union bosses and crony capitalists, prevented real liquor privatization and effective pension reform from…
Media
Read More: Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep FightingHealth Care
Medicaid Expansion is Risky Business
Both Republicans and Democrats have recently engaged in some risky business by pushing for the Medicaid expansion. They’ve been quick to assure state taxpayers they won’t be left with an enormous…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Expansion is Risky BusinessGovernment Accountability
What Can You Do?
The next hours and days could dramatically shape Pennsylvania’s future, but will it be for the better? As time winds down before the final budget passes, several critical issues hang…
Media
Read More: What Can You Do?Government Accountability
Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” Thingamajig
A few readers responded to my op-ed on corporate tax reform, asking “If you want fairness, why don’t you support ‘ending the Delaware Loophole’?” Unfortunately, many believe that the…
Media
Read More: Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” ThingamajigHealth Care
Budget Could Transform Pa., For Good or Ill
About one week remains for lawmakers to finalize a state budget. But along with a spending plan, a number of major policy reforms remain in the mix. The outcomes of…
Media
Read More: Budget Could Transform Pa., For Good or IllPublic Union Democracy
Budget Opens Door for Prevailing Wage Reform
Before taxpayers are asked to give more for Pennsylvania’s transportation needs, are current transportation tax dollars being spent wisely? That’s the question several lawmakers are asking, as time winds down…
Media
Read More: Budget Opens Door for Prevailing Wage ReformState Budget
The Case for Corbett’s Tax Reform
Combined with the federal tax rate, Pennsylvania businesses pay the second highest tax on their profits in the entire industrialized world.
Commentary
Read More: The Case for Corbett’s Tax ReformState Budget
Senate Transportation Proposal Rolls On
In a bipartisan vote, the state Senate approved a bill that would fund a $2.5 billion increase in Pennsylvania’s transportation funding. Like Gov. Corbett’s…
Media
Read More: Senate Transportation Proposal Rolls OnHealth Care
More Reasons to Pass on Medicaid Expansion
Elected officials are standing strong in their opposition to the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, despite a number of “independent studies” touting the benefits of “…
Media
Read More: More Reasons to Pass on Medicaid ExpansionEducation
Cyber School Funding in Pennsylvania
Cyber schools currently spend significantly less per student than school districts and only represent about 1% of spending on public education. Discrepancies in cyber school funding are the result of…
Memo
Read More: Cyber School Funding in PennsylvaniaRegulation
New Life for Landmark Pension Reform
Landmark pension reform legislation was unveiled today, as the Commonwealth Foundation stood with Gov. Tom Corbett, state lawmakers, business leaders, school board members and other groups. The new bills, introduced…
Media
Read More: New Life for Landmark Pension ReformRegulation
Why We Can’t Just “Let Act 120 Work”
In a guest post, State Rep. Glen Grell addresses the pension reform myth that Act 120 has fixed the pension crisis. For more facts & myths, click here. The…
Media
Read More: Why We Can’t Just “Let Act 120 Work”Health Care
Reality Check: We’re Overspending
Bad revenue collections and updated projections highlight a big problem in the state budget: We are spending more than we are collecting. The problem is much worse than a recent…
Media
Read More: Reality Check: We’re OverspendingHealth Care
States Fix Medicaid
That's why leaders in statehouses across the country should do the right thing and follow Pennsylvania's lead. Instead of waiting for dollars and dictates from D.C. to expand a broken…
Commentary
Read More: States Fix MedicaidRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis: Myths and Facts
Pennsylvania’s two main government worker pension systems, the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System (SERS), are dramatically underfunded. Together these funds owe more than…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis: Myths and Facts