Education
Governor Shapiro’s Massive Budget Brings Excessive Spending, New Taxes, and Future Tax Hikes
Video statements for broadcast media are available here. Harrisburg, Pa., February 4, 2025 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2025 Pennsylvania budget address, proposing a $3.9 billion spending increase.
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Massive Budget Brings Excessive Spending, New Taxes, and Future Tax HikesPennsylvania’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
Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion More
Gov. Rendell is pushing to issue $1 billion in new state debt before he leaves office in January. Of course, before the bonds are issued, either the Auditor General or…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion MoreState Budget
Taxpayers Fund $1.75 Million Party (& $786 Million Convention Center)
Taxpayers are funding a $1.75 million party to kick-off the grand-opening of the $786 million convention center in Philadelphia, which Pennsylvanians also paid for through an economic development fund.
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Fund $1.75 Million Party (& $786 Million Convention Center)Regulation
Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What Now
My presentation to the Berks County Patriots on Pennsylvania state spending and the fiscal and economic challenges facing Pennsylvania is available below, or can be downloaded here:…
Media
Read More: Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What NowState Budget
Disingenuous Jan Jarrett
The PennFuture president yesterday continued her lamentation over a lame duck legislature’s failure to expand government, raise taxes and kill jobs: “Every day that passes without…
Media
Read More: Disingenuous Jan JarrettRegulation
No WAMS Pledge
The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania is starting a new campaign to banish WAMs (Walking Around Money) from the General Assembly, much like some members of Congress are attempting to…
Media
Read More: No WAMS PledgeRegulation
Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”
Fox 29 Philadelphia has a video story up about the use of RACP money—state borrowing for corporate welfare—for projects such as resort spas, sports stadiums, and Tasty Cakes (not…
Media
Read More: Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”State Budget
Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You Think
When a lot of folks, both media and pundits, talk about the Pennsylvania state budget, and the fiscal crisis facing Governor-elect Tom Corbett, they mention a…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You ThinkRegulation
Corbett’s Challenge
As Tom Corbett prepares for his move into the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, he must be realizing the magnitude of what he is about to undertake: the governorship of a state…
Commentary
Read More: Corbett’s ChallengeState Budget
Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. Congress
Government debt and wasteful spending is a constant subject on PolicyBlog and is playing a large part in this year’s elections. But one thing that isn’t so common is two…
Media
Read More: Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. CongressState Budget
Rendell’s Legacy of Spending
Here is my letter to the editor in today’s Wall Street Journal on Gov. Rendell’s spending record: Regarding the contribution of Gov. Ed Rendell in “Four…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Legacy of SpendingState Budget
Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47
Last night, Harrisburg officials held a hearing to determine if the city qualifies for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, Act 47. Mayor Linda Thompson and Governor Rendell support entrance…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47Government Accountability
Get Ready to Be Amazed
In Lancaster County, PA, local government officials have done the inconceivable—they’ve given up their raises. Strasburg Borough’s ten employees including police, public works, and administrative assistants, agreed to forgo…
Media
Read More: Get Ready to Be AmazedGovernment Accountability
Not-so-Effective Tax Credit Programs
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee issued a new report on the utilization and accountability of Pennsylvania’s tax credit programs. The report looks at everything from the Research and…
Media
Read More: Not-so-Effective Tax Credit ProgramsRegulation
Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near You
Gov. Rendell's recent state bailout of the city of Harrisburg has brought attention to the capital city's fiscal mismanagement. With millions in debt payments and an enormous pension obligation, Harrisburg's…
Commentary
Read More: Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near YouRegulation
Federal Cash for State Budget Cuts?
In an Investors Business Daily piece this summer, Nicole Gelinas puts forward an interesting idea about how to stimulate the economy, and at the same time cut back on…
Media
Read More: Federal Cash for State Budget Cuts?State Budget
Spending Revolt Tour: Day 5 Update
The Spending Revolt National Tour stopped in Scranton on Sunday night for a Town Hall meeting, which was streamed live (and available here and below). The Scranton…
Media
Read More: Spending Revolt Tour: Day 5 UpdateRegulation
Hey Big Spender
Yesterday, Gov. Rendell held a press conference to make note that Tom Corbett was overstating the amount of Pennsylvania taxpayer money Rendell was wasting on pork-barrel projects. Examples cited…
Media
Read More: Hey Big SpenderState Budget
Where to Find Ideas to Balance the PA Budget
John Micek of the Morning Call has a piece today noting that the two candidates for Governor — Dan Onorato and Tom Corbett — have promised no, or few, new…
Media
Read More: Where to Find Ideas to Balance the PA BudgetHealth Care
PA Medicaid Enrollment Reaches All-Time High
One in six Pennsylvanians are now eligible for Medicaid or Medical Assistance, thanks to the economic downturn and generous eligibility standards. The Post-Gazette reports 2.2 million individuals now rely…
Media
Read More: PA Medicaid Enrollment Reaches All-Time HighState Budget
Being Tough on Crime Is Not Enough
With one in 28 Pennsylvanians in jail or prison, on probation, or on parole in 2007 — at the cost of more than $1.8 billion — Pennsylvania is at a…
Media
Read More: Being Tough on Crime Is Not EnoughState Budget
The Specter Library is a Less Big Waste of Taxpayer Funds than Originally Indicated
John Micek points out that Arlen Specter is demanding that Tom Corbett, who criticized the Arlen Specter Library Project, get his facts straight. Specter claims the taxpayer-funded monument to…
Media
Read More: The Specter Library is a Less Big Waste of Taxpayer Funds than Originally Indicated