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
State Senate Committee Advances Taxpayer Protection Act
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Senate Committee Advances Taxpayer Protection Act Legislation Protects Pennsylvanians from Out-of-Control State Spending Good afternoon,…
Press Release
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The Unintended Consequences of Wolf’s Budget
If the proposed sales tax expansion contained in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal becomes law, Louise Bell's nursing home costs will jump by $3,000—essentially adding a 13th month to her…
Commentary
Read More: The Unintended Consequences of Wolf’s BudgetState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Economy Ranks a Dismal 39th
Is placing 39 out of 50 in any competition acceptable? Most people would say no, which is why a new index published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy Ranks a Dismal 39thEducation
Could Schools Be Harmed by a Severance Tax?
As odd as it might sound, some rural schools could actually be harmed by Gov. Wolf’s efforts to increase education funding by imposing a severance tax on natural gas.
Media
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Wolf’s Unfair Tax Shift
School districts that receive the most in state funding today would also be the biggest winners under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal for property tax rebates. Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax shift fails…
Media
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Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Property Tax Shift
As part of his 2015-16 budget proposal, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed using some revenue from increased state taxes for school property tax relief beginning in 2016-17. This policy brief examines…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Property Tax ShiftState Budget
Video: Debating Gov. Wolf?s Costly Budget
Last week, CF President & CEO Matthew Brouillette appeared on PCN’s Call-In Program with Steve Herzenberg, the Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center, to discuss Gov. Wolf’s costly…
Media
Read More: Video: Debating Gov. Wolf?s Costly BudgetEnergy
Natural Gas Severance Tax
A severance tax must be considered in light of the state’s total tax structure. Pennsylvania taxes the natural gas industry in many ways that don’t exist in other drilling states.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Natural Gas Severance TaxState Budget
A Broken Promise Could Break the Bank
During the gubernatorial campaign, Tom Wolf promised not to raise taxes on middle class Pennsylvanians. Despite this promise, the governor proposed a budget including the largest tax increase in…
Media
Read More: A Broken Promise Could Break the BankGovernment Accountability
Collective Bargaining Transparency
Government union contract negotiations can have far reaching implications because they set compensation for tens of thousands of public employees, costing taxpayers billions each year. Despite the enormous impact, the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Collective Bargaining TransparencyState Budget
Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans Out
One third of the $675 million in new corporate welfare under Governor's Wolf budget proposal is reserved for alternative energy programs. In this week's House budget hearings Community & Economic…
Media
Read More: Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans OutState Budget
Wolf’s Tax Plan: Three Things Every Family Needs to Know
Here are three things to know about Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax plan: Wolf’s budget calls for a net tax increase of about $1,400 more per family of four this year (with…
Media
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Summary of Governor Wolf’s 2015-2016 Budget Proposal
General Fund spending is projected to reach $31.6 billion—the largest spending increase (8.7 percent) in 25 years. Gov. Wolf is proposing to move $1.75 billion in school pension payments to a…
Memo
Read More: Summary of Governor Wolf’s 2015-2016 Budget ProposalState Budget
Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad Budget
Gov. Wolf’s budget plan spends taxpayers’ money at $1,000 per second and would burden a family of four with an additional $1,419 in taxes at a time when Pennsylvanians…
Media
Read More: Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad BudgetState Budget
Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending Plan
Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a budget with a spending rate clocking in at a blistering $1,000 per second. That means in the time it takes you to read this…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending PlanState Budget
Thirty Cents in Tax Relief for Every Dollar in New Taxes
Gov. Tom Wolf touts property tax relief in his new budget, but fails to mention taxpayers are going to pay more—a lot more—in higher state taxes. Over the next two…
Media
Read More: Thirty Cents in Tax Relief for Every Dollar in New TaxesState Budget
What Would $1,400 Buy? The True Cost of Wolf’s Tax Plan Revealed, News Conference Today
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf Tax Plan Devastating to Families, Elderly, and Small Businesses $1,400 in Groceries Illustrates Sacrifice Wolf Requires of…
Press Release
Read More: What Would $1,400 Buy? The True Cost of Wolf’s Tax Plan Revealed, News Conference TodayState Budget
How Big, Bad is Wolf’s Budget?
The first point of contention on Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget isn’t about his tax increases, or any specific policy item, but rather over the true size of his proposals.
Media
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Lawmakers Stand Up for Taxpayers
Earlier today, Senators Camera Bartolotta and Mike Folmer and Rep. Tim Krieger announced their intentions to usher in an era of fiscal responsibility with the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) and…
Media
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Safeguard Family Finances with the Taxpayer Protection Act
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Safeguard Family Finances with the Taxpayer Protection Act Responsible Spending Boosts Job, Population, and Income Growth February 23, 2015,…
Press Release
Read More: Safeguard Family Finances with the Taxpayer Protection ActGovernment Accountability
Audio: Stepping Towards a Balanced Budget
This year, Pennsylvania lawmakers have the formidable task of eliminating a projected $1.7 billion budget deficit. Bob Dick, a CF policy analyst, spoke with Gary Sutton about what can be…
Media
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