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
Pennsylvanians Are Losing Economic Freedom
Pennsylvanians are losing economic freedom according to the Fraser Institute’s annual report, Economic Freedom of North America 2013. The commonwealth is slowly losing ground ranking 33rd in 2009 and…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are Losing Economic FreedomState Budget
5 Facts About the State Budget Proposal
The 2014-15 Pennsylvania State Budget proposal is more than 1000 pages, but we’ve boiled it down to five facts taxpayers you need to know 1. State Spending is at an All-Time…
Media
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State Budget Déjà Vu
Ceremonies in Punxsutawney have come and gone, but every year Groundhog Day reminds me of the film of the same name—in which Bill Murray lives the same day over and over…
Commentary
Read More: State Budget Déjà VuState Budget
Governor’s Budget Right on Priorities
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact:717-671-1901 Governor's Budget Right on Priorities February 4, 2014, HARRISBURG, Pa—In response to Governor Corbett’s budget address this afternoon, Matthew J. Brouillette,…
Press Release
Read More: Governor’s Budget Right on PrioritiesRegulation
Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Over the past six fiscal years, the commonwealth has spent more than it has taken in. This fiscal gap is projected to widen as expenditures are on pace to grow…
Report
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Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Condition is Critical
Pennsylvania ranks 42nd in overall fiscal condition, according to a report by Sarah Arnett of the Mercatus Center. The report, State Fiscal Condition: Ranking the 50 States, analyzes states’ abilities…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Condition is CriticalState Budget
Budget Burdens Bring Consequences
Know that feeling a month after Christmas when the credit card statement shows you blew your holiday budget? Imagine the pain you’d experience after six consecutive years of spending beyond…
Commentary
Read More: Budget Burdens Bring ConsequencesHealth Care
Pennsylvania’s Bleak Budget Future
Pennsylvania’s fiscal outlook looks bleak according to a detailed report examining state revenue and spending released by the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) last week. The agency projects a general…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Bleak Budget FutureHealth 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
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