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
Lot of Glitches in Stimulus 3.0
The Wall Street Journal has a good discussion of yet another stimulus – correctly identify it as Stimulus III (noting both the $787 billion stimulus from earlier this year,…
Media
Read More: Lot of Glitches in Stimulus 3.0Regulation
An Ethnic Taste of Corporate Welfare
The benevolent Department of Community and Economic Development most recently bestowed its generosity on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Pennsylvania by awarding it $20,000. This money will…
Media
Read More: An Ethnic Taste of Corporate WelfareRegulation
Is the Harley Handout Constitutional?
Governor Ed Rendell just announced $15.4 million in economic development assistance to renovate its York County factory and train workers. $14 million of the $15.4 million comes from Capital…
Media
Read More: Is the Harley Handout Constitutional?State Budget
Pennsylvania’s Growing Revenue Shortfall
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released November revenue collections yesterday. Once again, the actual General Fund collections were somewhat below projections; $56 million (or 3%) for the month. The…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Growing Revenue ShortfallRegulation
Failing to Learn from Past Gambles
The Patriot New ran in an article on property tax “relief” the day after Thanksgiving, giving homeowners a reason not to be thankful. The governor’s dream to make…
Media
Read More: Failing to Learn from Past GamblesState Budget
Pennsylvania Lawmakers to End Calendar Givewaways
ABC 27 reports that both the Pennsylvania House and Senate will not be printing calendars to give away this year (which typically featured a “courtesy of Rep. Name”) sticker.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Lawmakers to End Calendar GivewawaysPublic Union Democracy
State Tax Trends
ATR has a new report on state tax trends. In addition to a roundup of state tax changes, the new report highlights trends with policy implications. While we pointed…
Media
Read More: State Tax TrendsGovernment Accountability
What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?
Following the recent “Taxpayers March on Harrisburg,” as well as recent health care protests in Washington DC and elsewhere, a grassroots organizer posed the question, “what should we do now?”…
Media
Read More: What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?Government Accountability
The Illusion of Shrinking State Government
Back in September of 2008, Governor Rendell announced a state-wide hiring freeze in all agencies under his control to help curb declining revenues and a weakened national economy. Now,…
Media
Read More: The Illusion of Shrinking State GovernmentState Budget
Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall Short
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released October revenue collections. Once again, the numbers fell short of projections – the state is now $160 short of estimate for the fiscal…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall ShortState Budget
Spending Limits: Not Special Exemptions
Yesterday, Republican state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County introduced legislation to help local governments cope with declining revenues, ever-increasing amounts of regulation and new programs from…
Media
Read More: Spending Limits: Not Special ExemptionsGovernment Accountability
There is No Defense for WAMs
Among the many faults with WAMs, perhaps the most egregious is that taxpayers can never figure out where this money is going. For example,…
Media
Read More: There is No Defense for WAMsState Budget
Yes, We Really Do Mistrust Lawmakers
Gerald Prante of the Tax Foundation raises a philosophical question about state spending limits. Namely he wonders, if we don’t trust how legislators spend money now – a…
Media
Read More: Yes, We Really Do Mistrust LawmakersGovernment Accountability
Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State Taxpayers
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner issued a scathing rebuke of the Rendell administration’s use of no-bid contracts, specifically in relation to over a half-billion dollars given to Deloitte for…
Media
Read More: Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State TaxpayersState Budget
PA Business Survey: Bad Budget Deal
The Lincoln Institute released its Fall Business Climate Survey for Pennsylvania (mostly surveying small business owners). Click here for results and here for a summary of findings. Not…
Media
Read More: PA Business Survey: Bad Budget DealRegulation
WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink
Despite the numerous studies concluding subsidized sport arenas provide little to no overall economic benefits to communities – Allentown is getting a minor league hockey rink built with at least …
Media
Read More: WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey RinkState Budget
Facts About Spending Limits from Colorado
Voters in Maine will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum limiting state spending and tax increases. The Maine Heritage Policy Center released a new paper offering…
Media
Read More: Facts About Spending Limits from ColoradoState Budget
Budget Facts 2009: Budget Deal = Budget Deficits
Unfortunately, even if the Pennsylvania economy recovered to unprecedented level in next two years, there is no way it could possibly produce enough tax revenue to bridge the budgetary canyon…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Budget Facts 2009: Budget Deal = Budget DeficitsState Budget
Did PA Really Need Higher Taxes?
Yesterday, blogger for the Time Herald/State Senator Daylin Leach attacked ATR’s no-tax pledge and Sen. Orie for signing it a few years ago before voting to increase taxes…
Media
Read More: Did PA Really Need Higher Taxes?State Budget
This is the Budget We Waited For?
Plan taxes too much, spends too much, and fails to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity Harrisburg, PA – With state budget impasse finally over, Commonwealth Foundation President Matthew…
Press Release
Read More: This is the Budget We Waited For?State Budget
100 Days Without a Budget and We’re Still Alive!
The budget impasse has been analogized and analyzed to death in the past couple months. It’s rich fodder for politico pundits and reporters. Some have compared it to a…
Media
Read More: 100 Days Without a Budget and We’re Still Alive!