State Budget
Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Challenges
Summary Pennsylvania’s fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 state budget has created a $3.6 billion structural budget deficit. Without a major shift in direction, this deficit will persist and grow in future…
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget ChallengesPennsylvania’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.
2024 state budget resources
Education
Gov. Shapiro must become more productive in Pennsylvania before he can get to the White House
Originally published at The Patriot-News Gov. Josh Shapiro regularly dodges the question about his national ambitions. “I’m focused on doing this job and this job only, and…
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Read More: Gov. Shapiro must become more productive in Pennsylvania before he can get to the White HouseGovernment Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation Launches Website Exposing Governor Shapiro’s Shady Activities
Harrisburg, Pa., October 9, 2023 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation launched a new webpage dedicated to exposing the myriad of shady actions that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has engaged in…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Launches Website Exposing Governor Shapiro’s Shady ActivitiesEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Stephen Bloom joined The Breakfast Show Oct. 6, 2023
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Stephen Bloom joined The Breakfast Show Oct. 6, 2023Education
Democrats once again vote against helping vulnerable kids
Harrisburg, Pa., October 5, 2023 — Today,Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania House Democrats’ decision to advance a fiscal code bill…
Press Release
Read More: Democrats once again vote against helping vulnerable kidsEducation
Gov. Shapiro Poised to Raid Rainy Day Fund, Unprecedented Move Violates Law and Undermines Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa., September 29, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation expresses strong concern that Gov. Shapiro is ignoring the law and usurping the constitutional role of the legislative branch in the state…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro Poised to Raid Rainy Day Fund, Unprecedented Move Violates Law and Undermines LegislatureEducation
Gov. Shapiro’s New Hampshire Keynote Undermined by Legislative Failures, Incomplete Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., September 29, 2023 — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was recently announced as the keynote speaker at the 2023 New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention. His appearance in Bedford, New Hampshire—one of…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s New Hampshire Keynote Undermined by Legislative Failures, Incomplete BudgetEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Are Clear: “It’s the Economy, Stupid”
Harrisburg, Pa., September 28, 2023—Inflation continues to be the number one problem facing Pennsylvania voters, according to a poll released today by the Commonwealth Foundation. The Common Ground in the Commonwealth…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Are Clear: “It’s the Economy, Stupid”Education
State House Democrats need to do their jobs
Originally published at LNP Lawmakers have one job: Work for the people they represent. This job requirement is as old as Pennsylvania when William Penn founded the Provincial Assembly…
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Analysis: Shapiro Least Productive Governor with a Divided Government
Harrisburg, Pa., September 21, 2023 — Pennsylvania state lawmakers have enacted only 15 bills during the first six months of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, despite having a full-time legislature, according to…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Shapiro Least Productive Governor with a Divided GovernmentEducation
Shapiro’s Legislative Record: Last in Nation Among Divided Governments
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills enacted in the first half of 2023 reveals Pennsylvania has been the least productive among states with divided government. This analysis…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Shapiro’s Legislative Record: Last in Nation Among Divided GovernmentsEducation
Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadership
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania budget remains unfinished, while Pennsylvania House lawmakers remain on vacation (in recess) until the end of September. While it’s up to Speaker…
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House Democrats Need to Get Back to Work
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania House Democrats have been acting busy during the state budget impasse—an impasse their own majority leader, Rep. Matt Bradford, inexplicably denied existed…
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Read More: House Democrats Need to Get Back to WorkState Budget
Takeaways from the Unfinished 2023–24 State Budget
Summary The state budget remains unfinished. While Gov. Josh Shapiro signed off on the general appropriation bill (House Bill 611), authorizing more than $40 billion in state general fund spending,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Takeaways from the Unfinished 2023–24 State BudgetRegulation
Gov. Shapiro’s First Six Months the Least Productive in 50 Years
Harrisburg, Pa., August 8, 2023 –Gov. Josh Shapiro has overseen the least productive freshman legislative session in at least 50 years, a new Commonwealth Foundation analysis has found. In the first…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s First Six Months the Least Productive in 50 YearsRegulation
Shapiro’s First Six Months Least Productive Legislatively in 50 Years
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills signed reveals Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first six months were the least productive of any gubernatorial term in at least 50 years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Shapiro’s First Six Months Least Productive Legislatively in 50 YearsEducation
Underserved students face uncertain future following Gov. Shapiro’s budget decision
Harrisburg, Pa., August 3, 2023 – Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following statement following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s decision to line-item veto the Pennsylvania Award for Student…
Press Release
Read More: Underserved students face uncertain future following Gov. Shapiro’s budget decisionEducation
Jennifer Stefano: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybody
Gov. Josh Shapiro should expand the use of bureaucracy-slashing tactics like those that helped expedite I-95 repairs, columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano wrote Monday in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Press Release
Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybodyEducation
Democrat House Legislator Calls on Governor, Colleagues to Support School Choice in State Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 1, 2023 – Democrat State Rep. Amen Brown today voiced his support for including school choice legislation in the final state budget deal. Brown’s statement of…
Press Release
Read More: Democrat House Legislator Calls on Governor, Colleagues to Support School Choice in State BudgetEducation
History shows Gov. Shapiro’s next move matters
Originally published in The Patriot-News The next few months are critical to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s legacy, and he knows it. The 2023–24 state budget, due June 30th, remains…
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What They Are Saying: Brutal Headlines for Shapiro, Strong Support for Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has found himself in hot water after he reneged on a key campaign promise to implement Lifeline Scholarships. His decision…
Press Release
Read More: What They Are Saying: Brutal Headlines for Shapiro, Strong Support for ScholarshipsEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Statement On Senate-Shapiro Budget Progress
Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following reaction today on Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward’s statement that the Senate continues to work…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Statement On Senate-Shapiro Budget Progress