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.
Education
Temple Tuition Tamp-Down Shows Wake-Up Calls Work
During last year’s budget season, I was pretty critical of Temple University for raising tuition by ten percent while its administrators joined in the Chicken Little routine (“The sky…
Media
Read More: Temple Tuition Tamp-Down Shows Wake-Up Calls WorkEducation
Would You Rather Kids Share Books, or Get Booked?
I’m writing right now from the road, specifically from the poorest city in America: Reading, Pennsylvania. Reading is one of the cities mentioned in today’s CF news release pointing…
Media
Read More: Would You Rather Kids Share Books, or Get Booked?Public Union Democracy
Unions Fight Flexible Funding
Gov. Corbett’s budget proposed combining five county human services programs into one flexible block grant. In the past, state legislation dictated how much counties could spend under each category, regardless…
Media
Read More: Unions Fight Flexible FundingState Budget
State Budget: Fireproofing the Economy or Throwing Gas on the Fire?
Let’s pretend you’ve been financially struggling recently, have spent your savings and pushed off paying some of your bills. But here’s some good news: You have $500 in your checking…
Media
Read More: State Budget: Fireproofing the Economy or Throwing Gas on the Fire?Public Union Democracy
Voters: Limit Government Spending!
In a recent poll, Susquehanna Polling and Research asked 700 registered Pennsylvania voters if they would support limiting the growth of state government spending—legislation similar to the…
Media
Read More: Voters: Limit Government Spending!Regulation
Money to Spend? See Where Your State Tax Dollars Go
Legislative leaders and Gov. Corbett have been negotiating a state budget and, according to the latest reports, are $233 million apart in terms of General Fund spending. Why the…
Media
Read More: Money to Spend? See Where Your State Tax Dollars GoState Budget
Block Grants for Human Services a “Godsend”
State funding for county services may soon be streamlined, wasting fewer dollars on bureaucratic largesse and focusing aid on programs that are most effective at helping the needy. Yesterday,…
Media
Read More: Block Grants for Human Services a “Godsend”State Budget
Limit Growth of Government to Protect Taxpayers
We must face a simple fact: The General Assembly will act only when it has no alternative. Therefore, the only way to restrain spending and avoid hitting the fiscal iceberg…
Commentary
Read More: Limit Growth of Government to Protect TaxpayersState Budget
Getting Rich Off the Poor: Examining Welfare Abuse
Over the past few years, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare conducted a series of audits and uncovered many questionable practices among state contractors. Some providers of welfare…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Getting Rich Off the Poor: Examining Welfare AbuseState Budget
Taxpayer Protection Act for Smarties
The Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) would reasonably limit future growth in state government spending to inflation plus population growth, require the government to prioritize spending, create a Rainy Day Fund…
Poll
Read More: Taxpayer Protection Act for SmartiesState Budget
Appropriations Chair Endorses Spending Limits
Last week in his remarks at the Pennsylvania Press Club, Sen. Jake Corman endorsed the idea of spending limits for Pennsylvania state government. Corman expressed support for Sen. Mike Folmer’s proposed…
Media
Read More: Appropriations Chair Endorses Spending LimitsEducation
Readers Ask, We Answer: Education Spending
A reader asked us to help clarify the claims of Yinzercation blog on state education subsidies. The blogger claims the Corbett administration is being disingenuous about state K-12 education…
Media
Read More: Readers Ask, We Answer: Education SpendingEducation
$27B + $15K = What?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released school financial data for the 2010-11 school year. The latest data shows public school spending and revenue increased yet again in 2011,…
Media
Read More: $27B + $15K = What?Education
Cal U Waste Begs for Higher Ed Reform
The Senate’s budget included more funding for state universities than Governor Corbett proposed, but new discoveries of wasteful spending should give lawmakers pause. Gov. Corbett proposed a 30 percent cut…
Media
Read More: Cal U Waste Begs for Higher Ed ReformEducation
Chart: School District Fund Balances Nearly Tripled in 14 Years
PA Independent reported on Monday that Pennsylvania school districts’ fund balances reached $3.2 billion in 2011 (they compiled the data from the PA Department of Education’s (PDE)…
Media
Read More: Chart: School District Fund Balances Nearly Tripled in 14 YearsState Budget
State Budget vs Spending Limits
Last week, the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a budget representing $27.66 in General Fund spending. How does that stack up against inflation and population growth? If…
Media
Read More: State Budget vs Spending LimitsState Budget
Chart of the Day: General Fund Spending and Revenue
Yesterday, the Pa. Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a budget (the full Senate is expected to vote on it today) that includes $27.65 billion in General Fund spending. Unfortunately, this…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: General Fund Spending and RevenueState Budget
CF Applauds Pa. Senate Budget Use of TPA Index
HARRISBURG, PA (05.08.12) – The Commonwealth Foundation applauded Pennsylvania Senate leadership today for using the Taxpayer Protection Act index – inflation plus population growth – to compose their fiscal year 2012-13…
Press Release
Read More: CF Applauds Pa. Senate Budget Use of TPA IndexState Budget
Why Pennsylvania Needs Spending Limits
In a Capitolwire story (subscription), Senate Appropriations Chair Jake Corman notes that the proposed version of the state budget the Senate will take up this week increases spending by…
Media
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Needs Spending LimitsState Budget
This is the Change You’ve Been Looking For
I had the opportunity to hear Scott Rasmussen speak last week. The theme of his speech was “change”—as in how policy change happens. The lesson he gave was that policy…
Media
Read More: This is the Change You’ve Been Looking ForState Budget
Good April Tax Collections, but State is Spending More Than Revenue
Two new reports show that Pennsylvania’s fiscal crunch for the current year is not a dire as previously thought. Pa. Department of Revenue monthly reports on tax collections shows…
Media
Read More: Good April Tax Collections, but State is Spending More Than Revenue