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
WATCH: Megan Martin on PCN Discussing State Budget, Mass Transit Bail-out, and More
Megan Martin, Commonwealth Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, joins PCN’s Capitol Preview to talk all things state budget. From public transit to Lifeline Scholarships, Martin outlines what good…
Media Hit
Read More: WATCH: Megan Martin on PCN Discussing State Budget, Mass Transit Bail-out, and MoreState Budget
Pennsylvania Missed the Budget Deadline—and Shapiro Has Nobody to Blame but Himself
Once again, Pennsylvania lawmakers missed the state budget deadline. This marks the third consecutive budget deadline that Gov. Josh Shapiro has missed. So, who is to blame? Shapiro, of course,…
Blog
Read More: Pennsylvania Missed the Budget Deadline—and Shapiro Has Nobody to Blame but HimselfState Budget
Shapiro, House Democrats Miss the Budget Deadline Again, With No Deal in Sight
Harrisburg, Pa., June 30, 2025 —Today marks the end of Pennsylvania’s fiscal year and the deadline for lawmakers to pass the FY 2025–26 state budget, with no apparent deal in…
Press Release
Read More: Shapiro, House Democrats Miss the Budget Deadline Again, With No Deal in SightEnergy
Pennsylvania’s Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio and West Virginia
Originally published by TribLIVE. Pennsylvania’s nickname of the Keystone State, as variously reported, originates with the deciding vote for independence by a Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress or in…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio and West VirginiaEducation
New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of Leadership
69% of voters believe Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to take a more active role in budget negotiations. Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2025 — As the June 30th deadline looms, voters…
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of LeadershipEducation
Learning Investment Tax Credit
Summary The proposed Learning Investment Tax Credit (LITC), House Bill (HB) 1662, creates a $8,000 per child refundable tax credit to offset education expenses if parents choose a non-public…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Learning Investment Tax CreditHealth Care
How Welfare Reforms in the OBBB Protect Pennsylvanians
Summary Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps, were intended to help provide health insurance and food for low-income seniors,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Welfare Reforms in the OBBB Protect PennsylvaniansEducation
Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro once said, “Leaders have a responsibility to speak truth.” Yet, truth be told, the governor’s lack of leadership on this…
Media Hit
Read More: Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?Education
Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t Done
Heading into his third budget negotiation, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official slogan starkly contrasts with his legislative accomplishments. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis found Shapiro’s first two-and-a-half years…
Blog
Read More: Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t DoneState Budget
Deficit Watch: June 2025
Lawmakers must protect the Rainy Day Fund. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: June 2025Education
Shapiro Must Lead, Not Litigate
Originally published by PennLive. Gov. Josh Shapiro seems less interested in governing and more interested in reliving his days as attorney general. A federal judge recently …
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Must Lead, Not LitigateEducation
Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024
Pennsylvania Public School Spending is Growing Public school spending reaches historic levels year after year. Pennsylvania public school revenue per student increased to $23,061 in the 2023-24 school year, up…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024Education
Pritzker and Shapiro are Two Progressive Peas in a Pod
In his recent Wall Street Journal feature about the presidential ambitions of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, John McCormick floated Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as an alternative…
Blog
Read More: Pritzker and Shapiro are Two Progressive Peas in a PodGovernment Accountability
A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…
Media Hit
Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is IrresponsibleState Budget
Deficit Watch: May 2025
Pennsylvania cannot afford more mass transit bailouts. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov.
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: May 2025State Budget
EITC and Economically Disadvantaged Schools
Summary The Economically Disadvantaged School (EDS) component of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship program provides supplementary scholarships for Pennsylvania students, who are economically disadvantaged and attend private schools…
Fact Sheet
Read More: EITC and Economically Disadvantaged SchoolsState Budget
Mass Transit Bailout
2025 Budget Proposal Seeks to Further Subsidize Inefficient Agencies Summary Mass transit agencies, including Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) in Pittsburgh, have seen…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Mass Transit BailoutRegulation
Bring Domestic Steel Manufacturing Into America’s Golden Age
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. If there is to be a new Golden Age for American industry and manufacturing, Pennsylvania will play a leading role. In recent years, a…
Media Hit
Read More: Bring Domestic Steel Manufacturing Into America’s Golden AgeState Budget
Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax Reform
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Today is Tax Day. Each year, April 15th reminds us of the costliness of government spending – and why lawmakers must reduce this financial burden on…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax ReformGovernment Accountability
12 Reasons Why We Shouldn’t Bail Out SEPTA
As Commonwealth Foundation outlined in our “Mass Transit Bailout” fact sheet, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and other mass transit agencies should not rely…
Blog
Read More: 12 Reasons Why We Shouldn’t Bail Out SEPTAEnergy
Deficit Watch: April 2025
Improving Pennsylvania’s economy will help close the deficit. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit.
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: April 2025