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
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 FactsState Budget
Budget Facts 2013: Spending Increases By Department
Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Budget Facts 2013: Spending Increases By DepartmentRegulation
Pennsylvania State Budget 2013
Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget 2013Health Care
Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve Later
When the governor released his budget last month, the loudest opposition hinged on Medicaid - government insurance for the poor and disabled. Advocates of expanding the program via the Affordable…
Commentary
Read More: Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve LaterRegulation
Remove Politics from Pensions
A letter to the editor I sent to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes on some of the myths and facts of pension reform: Nina Esposito-Visgitis, president of the Pittsburgh…
Media
Read More: Remove Politics from PensionsHealth Care
No “Free Lunch” with Medicaid Expansion
If I offered you a "free lunch" every day for the rest of your life, you'd take it, right? Oh, but there are a few strings attached. The lunch may…
Commentary
Read More: No “Free Lunch” with Medicaid ExpansionHealth Care
Where Does Government Get Money?
Where does the federal government get its money? Does it grow on trees? Does it fall from the sky like manna from heaven? Is there a genie who keeps granting…
Media
Read More: Where Does Government Get Money?State Budget
Budget Proposal: 5 Key Facts
As we head into months of meetings, hearings, and special interest protests at the Capitol, here are five must-know facts about Governor Corbett’s budget proposal: Gold Stars: “Recommends against”…
Media
Read More: Budget Proposal: 5 Key FactsRegulation
Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)
The Patriot News reports that private lottery manager Camelot Global Services may not be willing to extend its bid beyond the current expiration date of Saturday. Attorney General Kathleen…
Media
Read More: Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)State Budget
Transportation Plan Falls Short of Principles
We’ve received several requests for our assessment of Governor Corbett’s transportation proposal, in light of our principles for transportation funding. Here is our take. First, transportation is a…
Media
Read More: Transportation Plan Falls Short of PrinciplesState Budget
Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs
The Affordable Care Act—often dubbed Obamacare—included 20 new taxes or tax increases. As these taxes are beginning to go into effect, businesses are starting to feel the impact, and…
Media
Read More: Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save JobsState Budget
Standing with Taxpayers
Most Pennsylvanians probably weren't aware – or don't care – that Governor Corbett delivered his 2013-14 budget proposal this week. But they should! Spending $20,900 per family of four, the…
Commentary
Read More: Standing with TaxpayersHealth Care
Medicaid Expansion: The Price was Wrong
Governor Corbett made the right call yesterday when he decided to recommend against expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Here is my letter to the editor to the Philadelphia Inquirer explaining…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Expansion: The Price was WrongState Budget
Gov. Corbett’s Budget Stands with Taxpayers
Statement of Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank, on Governor Corbett’s budget proposal: Gov. Corbett has chosen to prioritize government spending…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Corbett’s Budget Stands with Taxpayers