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.
Government Accountability
The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?
Darwyyn Deyo reports that the PA House of Representatives is moving from away from paper newsletters to email newsletters to registered voters. This is a good move, likely to…
Media
Read More: The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?State Budget
The Merits of an Expanded Sales Tax
Josh Barro of the Manhattan Institute has a recent op-ed on the idea of states broadening their sales tax base, noting that several states are looking this direction.
Media
Read More: The Merits of an Expanded Sales TaxRegulation
Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government
Gov. Rendell once again touted the reduction in and relatively-low number of state government employees. But as we noted last year, the “state complement” includes only about half of…
Media
Read More: Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania GovernmentState Budget
No Solutions in Rendell’s Budget
The Keystone State for years has been afflicted by government inefficiency and overspending. Since Gov. Rendell took office in 2003, Pennsylvania’s burden of state and local taxes has increased from…
Commentary
Read More: No Solutions in Rendell’s BudgetState Budget
Proposed Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansion Categories
As part of his budget, Gov. Rendell has proposed lowering Pennsylvania’s sales tax from 6% to 4% (Philadelphia has an additional 2% and Allegheny County 1% on top of the…
Media
Read More: Proposed Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansion CategoriesState Budget
Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores Disease
HARRISBURG, PA (02.09.10) – Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement in response…
Press Release
Read More: Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores DiseaseState Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Address Live Updates
CF will be offering live comments via Twitter on Governor Rendell’s budget address, beginning at 10:30 am. Updates will show up below. You can also follow CF staff here,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Address Live UpdatesState Budget
It’s Time for a Taxpayer’s Budget
Harrisburg, PA (02.08.10) – The Commonwealth Foundation today called upon Governor Ed Rendell to propose a taxpayer’s budget, a fiscal blueprint adhering to three principles of responsible spending for Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania…
Press Release
Read More: It’s Time for a Taxpayer’s BudgetState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: February 2010
Following January’s estimate, Pennsylvania General Fund revenues are $374 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year, according to the Department of Revenue. Tax collections have been below estimate…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: February 2010State Budget
Medicaid Errors in PA Cost Upwards of $320 Million
In a news release, PA Auditor General Jack Wagner estimates that – using the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare’s (DPW) estimated error rate – improper Medicaid payments cost Pennsylvania taxpayers…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Errors in PA Cost Upwards of $320 MillionRegulation
Pennsylvanians Heavy Laden With State Debt
A recent report from Forbes finds that Pennsylvania faces a serious challenge with state government debt. Pennsylvania ranked 35 among all states in the Forbes debt rating. According to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvanians Heavy Laden With State DebtState Budget
Pennsylvania Unemployment Fund is $2 Billion in the Hole
Propublica.org has a great, and terrifying, tracker of states’ unemployment insurance funds. Pennsylvania fund is in woeful shape, with $125 million balance, and owing $2.05 billion in money borrowed…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Unemployment Fund is $2 Billion in the HoleState Budget
Example of Why There’s No Money to Fix Bridges
As I pointed out in a recent post, much of Pennsylvania’s transportation funding goes not to fix decaying infrastructure, but to beautification and other…
Media
Read More: Example of Why There’s No Money to Fix BridgesState Budget
What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?
In his mid-year budget address, Governor Rendell outlined a plan to cut spending by $170 million in the Pennsylvania state budget. This week, he identified $161 specific cuts (see…
Media
Read More: What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?Regulation
Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating Jobs
A study by Good Jobs First indicates that Pennsylvania’s tax incentives for high-tech companies has not been able to attract investment from other states. A net 43 high-tech companies…
Media
Read More: Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating JobsState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2010
Six months through the 2009-10 fiscal year, state revenues are $254 million below budget expenditures, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Tax collections have been below estimate in…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2010State Budget
The Stimulus and State Budgets
The Wall Street Journal had a recent editorial on the impact of the stimulus on state budgets – noting that while the legislation create a one-time bailout to states,…
Media
Read More: The Stimulus and State BudgetsRegulation
Private Funding for Historical Sites
The historical site of Washington’s Crossing saw a cut in taxpayer subsidies this year, and some forecast doom and gloom for history. Instead, Lockheed Martin and other private donors…
Media
Read More: Private Funding for Historical SitesGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Legislative Audit Says Little
A new audit of the Pennsylvania Legislature’s accounts was released earlier this month, and is available via state Rep. Josh Shapiro. The big news on the audit is that…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Legislative Audit Says LittleHealth Care
Legislators Pack Health Care Legislation with Christmas Presents – For Themselves
This is the time of the year when most people are so busy with holiday preparations they lose track of what the government is doing with their hard-earned tax money.
Media
Read More: Legislators Pack Health Care Legislation with Christmas Presents – For ThemselvesRegulation
PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork Projects
Mario Cattabiani writes in the the Philadelphia Inquirer about all the pet projects funded in the table games bill. He writes: It parcels out the local share in…
Media
Read More: PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork Projects