Pennsylvania’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

Governor Shapiro’s Budget is Nothing New

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 17, 2025

Originally published by the York Dispatch. “I love Groundhog Day,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro during the budget address. Of course, the governor meant the Pennsylvania tradition of Punxsutawney…

Media Hit

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State Budget

Governor Shapiro’s Broken Promises are Breaking Pennsylvania

  • Andrew Lewis
  • February 14, 2025

Originally published by Penn Live/Patriot-News. Everyone knows that politicians break promises. But Gov. Josh Shapiro’s promise-breaking is so sweeping it’s breathtaking. That’s all I could think after…

Media Hit

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Government Accountability

Independent Fiscal Office Shows Shapiro’s Budget Will Deepen the Deficit

  • February 12, 2025

IFO’s new Long-Term Budget Outlook Update illustrates Pennsylvania’s economic peril in light of Governor Shapiro’s 2025 budget proposal. Harrisburg, Pa., February 11, 2025 — Today, Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office…

Press Release

Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Shows Shapiro’s Budget Will Deepen the Deficit

Education

Three Things Missing from Shapiro’s Budget

  • February 12, 2025

Most commentary about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address focuses on what’s in his 2025–26 proposal. But what did the governor leave out? School Choice Shapiro, once again, omitted any reference…

Blog

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State Budget

Deficit Watch: February 2025

  • February 5, 2025

Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit, with $47.6 billion in spending and only $43.9 billion in net…

Deficit Watch

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Education

Governor Shapiro’s 2025 Budget Proposal: An Extreme Spending Binge

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2025

Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s radical overspending exacerbates what is already a massive budget deficit. His plan imposes new taxes this year and will force extreme tax hikes on working families…

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

Will Shapiro Address the $3.6 Billion Elephant in the Room?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2025

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Watch Gov. Josh Shapiro closely during his annual budget address on Tuesday. The governor will lay out his vision for the upcoming year – undoubtedly…

Media Hit

Read More: Will Shapiro Address the $3.6 Billion Elephant in the Room?

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s running out of money

  • Andrew Holman
  • January 21, 2025

Originally published at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Stacy Garrity recently issued an urgent warning: This year’s budget will determine the commonwealth’s economic future — so lawmakers must plan wisely. Garrity, reelected…

Media Hit

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State Budget

How to Balance the PA State Budget

  • January 21, 2025

Key Points Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural deficit in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25. Unless addressed, the deficit will require massive tax increases on working families by next year. Extreme…

Backgrounder

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State Budget

The Rainy Day Fund

  • January 14, 2025

Summary The Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, commonly referred to as the Rainy Day Fund, is Pennsylvania’s largest budgetary reserve fund. Pennsylvania law dictates that lawmakers may only draw from the…

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

Deficit Watch: January 2025

  • January 10, 2025

Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit, with $47.6 billion in spending and only $43.9 billion in net…

Deficit Watch

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Public Union Democracy

Governor Shapiro’s SEPTA Bailout is Another Failure of Leadership

  • November 22, 2024

Harrisburg, PA, November 22, 2024 — Gov. Josh Shapiro today announced a plan to divert federal funds to bail out the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). At a press conference in Philadelphia,…

Press Release

Read More: Governor Shapiro’s SEPTA Bailout is Another Failure of Leadership

Education

Pennsylvania is Now the Bellwether on Democrats’ Future

  • Andrew Lewis
  • November 21, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The Keystone State was expected to be the bellwether on November 5th, and it didn’t disappoint. Not only did Donald Trump carry Pennsylvania …

Media Hit

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Education

Pennsylvania Democrats have no mandate—except to compromise

  • Andrew Lewis
  • November 20, 2024

Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania Democrats took a bigger shellacking than most people realize. By now, everyone knows that Republicans cleaned up in federal races. Donald…

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania Democrats have no mandate—except to compromise