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
Busting the Myth That State Subsidies Prevent College Tuition Rising
Universities consistently blame state budget cuts for rising tuition, but in reality, tuition has risen regardless of state subsidies. Here’s…
Media
Read More: Busting the Myth That State Subsidies Prevent College Tuition RisingCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania Corrections Spending
The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Corrections SpendingPublic Union Democracy
House Moves Unemployment Compensation Reform
More Unemployment Compensation reform is moving through the Pennsylvania House. Yesterday, HB 1754 sponsored by Rep. Ron Miller, and HB 1852 sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove, cleared the…
Media
Read More: House Moves Unemployment Compensation ReformRegulation
Reforming State Borrowing for Corporate Welfare
Since 1986, state lawmakers have authorized more than $4 billion in borrowing for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (or RACP). This is effectively debt for corporate welfare and…
Media
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It’s Not About Tuition, It’s About Mo’ Money
Over at PA Independent, Stacy Brown has an important story on the ongoing fight over Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal. There, Duquesne University professor Antony Davies, a member of CF’s…
Media
Read More: It’s Not About Tuition, It’s About Mo’ MoneyPublic Union Democracy
Turn on the Fiscal Fire Hose
Since Gov. Corbett unveiled his 2012-13 budget Tuesday, we’ve noted how it reduces overall spending for only the second time in 40 years. We’ve also explained that despite…
Media
Read More: Turn on the Fiscal Fire HoseState Budget
5 Facts about Gov. Corbett’s Budget Proposal
Here are five things everyone should know about Gov. Corbett’s proposed Pennsylvania state budget. Reduces overall spending. Both the General Fund and the total operating budgethave been cut – for…
Media
Read More: 5 Facts about Gov. Corbett’s Budget ProposalState Budget
Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy
It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our…
Commentary
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Budget Cuts Do Not Equal Tuition Hikes
Last year we highlighted waste in public higher education, such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s golf simulator with 52 different golf courses and Penn State’s decision to construct new…
Media
Read More: Budget Cuts Do Not Equal Tuition HikesState Budget
Stop the Fiscal Inferno!
Burn, baby, burn, it’s a fiscal inferno! Okay, perhaps that’s not exactly how the old disco song goes, but that’s certainly how some politicians are singing it in Harrisburg.
Media
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Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 Preview
The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 PreviewRegulation
Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?
As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners…
Commentary
Read More: Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?Criminal Justice Reform
Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & Crime
Change is on the horizon for Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections – now the third-largest state agency in the General Fund budget – which along with state debt, pensions…
Media
Read More: Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & CrimeCriminal Justice Reform
Fiscal Outlook for Pennsylvania: Not Too Rosy
This week the new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office held its first annual seminar on the state economy and revenue. After a series of presentations on the state of the…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Outlook for Pennsylvania: Not Too RosyState Budget
Turnpike Commission Defends Ballooning Debt
Following our post yesterday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wanted to make sure we saw their response to Auditor General Jack Wagner’s warning on their growing debt. The Turnpike…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission Defends Ballooning DebtState Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Freezes in Perspective
Yesterday, Gov. Corbett and the Office of the Budget released a list of 2011-12 budgetary freezes—reductions in spending from the enacted General Fund budget—due in part to revenue shortfalls. I…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Freezes in PerspectiveRegulation
Time to End Borrowing for Corporate Welfare
The Pa. House is expected to vote this week on SB 1054, legislation to authorize $1.66 billion in state borrowing for the “capital budget.” The annual cost of this…
Media
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Penn State’s Smallest Tuition Hike in Years
The conventional wisdom ever since March 8, when Gov. Tom Corbett made his budget address, has been very simple: The sky is falling! How, exactly? In the form of crippling…
Media
Read More: Penn State’s Smallest Tuition Hike in YearsEducation
Corbett’s First Inning Scorecard
July signals the coming of two breaks in Pennsylvania—Major League Baseball's All-Star break and the end of the state budget season. Having endured his first budget as the commonwealth's chief…
Commentary
Read More: Corbett’s First Inning ScorecardEducation
Cut Waste at This Temple, and I Will Praise It in Three Days
Temple University just announced that it is raising tuition by ten percent, blaming the new state budget. Temple is an outstanding example of an institution that should have spent…
Media
Read More: Cut Waste at This Temple, and I Will Praise It in Three DaysState Budget
Pennsylvania’s $1.9 Billion Budget Shortfall
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released preliminary FY 2010-11 revenue collection. Their statement says: Fiscal year 2010-11 General Fund collections totaled $27.5 billion, which is $785.5 million,…
Media
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