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
Dwight Evan’s Favorite WAM Recipient Has Plenty of Problems
The Philadelphia Inquirer exposes another nonprofit with ties to a state lawmaker – this time House Democrat Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans – whose use of tax dollars seems sketchy…
Media
Read More: Dwight Evan’s Favorite WAM Recipient Has Plenty of ProblemsState Budget
Ed Rendell Demands More Taxes
At a press conference yesterday, Gov. Rendell says he will “compromise” on the budget – so long as he gets $1.6 billion in new revenue. That he, he needs…
Media
Read More: Ed Rendell Demands More TaxesState Budget
State of Pennsylvania has 5,000 Vacant Positions
In response to a recent question posed us – about how many actual workers vs. unfilled positions Gov. Rendell would have to eliminate when he talks about cutting state…
Media
Read More: State of Pennsylvania has 5,000 Vacant PositionsState Budget
What Do July Revenue Collections Mean?
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the July 2009 revenue collections yesterday. The state collected $1.65 billion in General Fund revenue in July. Normally, this report would include how…
Media
Read More: What Do July Revenue Collections Mean?State Budget
States Have Only Themselves to Blame for Fiscal Mess
Steve Chapman writes on Reason.com that there’s nothing surprising about the crises in state budgets though it apparently caught many governors and legislators by surprise. States dramatically increased spending…
Media
Read More: States Have Only Themselves to Blame for Fiscal MessState Budget
If Only Congress Passed an “Economics for Dummies” Program
It always amuses me to see “cash for clunkers” ads on TV these days. This government subsidized program, like hundreds of others, has been a tremendous failure. The transportation…
Media
Read More: If Only Congress Passed an “Economics for Dummies” ProgramState Budget
What the #$#! is Going on with Pennsylvania Budget?
If you are following any of the proceedings on the Pennsylvania budget – such as #pabudget on Twitter – you will find a lot has changed with nothing really…
Media
Read More: What the #$#! is Going on with Pennsylvania Budget?Government Accountability
Pennsylvania Pulls the Shade on Sunshine
Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette issued the following statement today in response to closed-door budget negotiations between Gov. Rendell and selected legislative leaders: “A mere…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Pulls the Shade on SunshineGovernment Accountability
Victory for Transparency in State Government
HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matt Brouillette issued the following statement today in response to the General Assembly’s decision to make Conference Committee meetings on the state…
Press Release
Read More: Victory for Transparency in State GovernmentState Budget
PA Senate Democrats Still Playing Games
Yesterday, the Senate rejected a bill to fund the University of Pittsburgh by a 30-20 vote. (It was actually 30 ‘yes’ votes, but the bill needed 2/3 majority to pass. …
Media
Read More: PA Senate Democrats Still Playing GamesState Budget
Post-Gazette’s Nonsense on Pennsylvania Budget
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette editorial board cribs Gov. Rendell’s talking points on the state budget, and pastes it into an editorial. They state that lawmakers should not “balance…
Media
Read More: Post-Gazette’s Nonsense on Pennsylvania BudgetEducation
Who’s For the Children?
In the television comedy The Office, dim-witted boss Michael Scott remarks that he likes giving presents because they are “like this tangible thing that you can point to and say…
Commentary
Read More: Who’s For the Children?State Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Proposals Compared
Here are some resources for comparing the various Pennsylvania state budget proposals. Pennsylvania House Democrats Budget, By the Numbers PA House GOP Budget by the Numbers PA…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Proposals ComparedState Budget
Is Rendell Violating the Federal Minimum Wage Act?
Here’s a note from a state worker that asks us an interesting question: Is Rendell violating the federal Minimum Wage Act (which goes up again this week)…
Media
Read More: Is Rendell Violating the Federal Minimum Wage Act?State Budget
How Much Did Pennsylvania Spend Last Year?
Here is a simple question: Given we have closed the books on last year’s state budget for three weeks, how much did Pennsylvania spend last year? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t…
Media
Read More: How Much Did Pennsylvania Spend Last Year?State Budget
Good Pennsylvania State Budget Questions I Can’t Answer
A reader sent us this, which is an excellent question about how many state worker will really have to be laid off: I have heard a lot of…
Media
Read More: Good Pennsylvania State Budget Questions I Can’t AnswerState Budget
Pennsylvania Taxpayers Spend $1 Million to Entertain Lawmakers from Other States
This week, Philadelphia plays host to the National Conference of State Legislatures conference. No Pennsylvania legislators have been able to attend the gathering because they’re needed in Harrisburg for…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Taxpayers Spend $1 Million to Entertain Lawmakers from Other StatesState Budget
Your $28 Million Dollar Pork Dinner
With growing criticism of the effectiveness of President Obama $787 billion dollar economic stimulus plan mounting, several recent purchases by the Department of Agriculture have American taxpayers in a…
Media
Read More: Your $28 Million Dollar Pork DinnerState Budget
Who’s Telling Half-Truths on Pennsylvania Budget?
Chuck Ardo, the Governor’s spokesman, became incensed (as reported by John Micek) when Sen. Piccola made a strong comment against the governor. During last night’s Senate debate on a…
Media
Read More: Who’s Telling Half-Truths on Pennsylvania Budget?State Budget
Best Budget Practices For Legislators
Scott Pattison, the executive director of National Association of Budget Officers, in an interview with the Mercatus Center brought to light the most important question he feels legislators…
Media
Read More: Best Budget Practices For LegislatorsState Budget
Tax Foundation Podcast: Pennsylvania Budget Battle
Matt Brouillette is interviewed in the latest Tax Policy Podcast from the Tax Foundation, giving an update of the Pennsylvania Budget Battle.
Media
Read More: Tax Foundation Podcast: Pennsylvania Budget Battle