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.

2024 state budget resources

Regulation

Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending

  • June 1, 2006

Public Radio Capitol News on our Piglet Book 2006. Although reporter Damon Baughmer probably doesn’t appreciate the fact that we think his employer (we, the taxpayers) should be funding…

Media

Read More: Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending

State Budget

Piglet Book Coverage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 30, 2006

Coverage of the Pennsylvania Piglet Book in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Download the full Piglet Book here.

Media

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State Budget

Pennsylvania Piglet Book 2006

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 30, 2006

The Pennsylvania Piglet Book 2006 is the joint effort of the Commonwealth Foundation and Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) to make the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania aware of…

Report

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State Budget

Return the Windfall Profits

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 25, 2006

There is a massive organization imposing a financial burden on the Pennsylvania economy. It is consuming an ever larger portion of the average person’s income. The costs for what it…

Commentary

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State Budget

Gov. Rendells Blah, Blah, Blah Campaign Strategy

  • May 15, 2006

Ever had a conversation with someone who starts to tell a story and then, midway through, says “Blah blah blah” (or words to that effect) and then skips ahead to…

Commentary

Read More: Gov. Rendells Blah, Blah, Blah Campaign Strategy

State Budget

Should American troops die for pork?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 9, 2006

A look at the $17 billion in Pork Spending added to the President’s request for funding of troops and Hurricane Katrina Relief from the Heritage Foundation.

Media

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State Budget

Breaking Pennsylvania’s Budget Tradition

  • April 17, 2006

Traditionally in Pennsylvania’s “budget season,” the governor has submitted his spending plan for the coming fiscal year, and the General Assembly has accepted it as the starting point for the…

Commentary

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State Budget

Are they really “Fake” Republicans?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2006

OpinionJournal – John Fund on the Trail: “‘The Republican Party is now principally moderate, if not liberal’ on spending, Mr. Specter told reporters after a majority of GOP senators…

Media

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State Budget

CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 6, 2006

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released their annual Pig Book yesterday, which indentifies $29 billion of pork-spending (defined as requests by members of Congress for special projects) in the…

Media

Read More: CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006

State Budget

Easiest Way to Cut Pork

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2006

Five US Senators, in a letter to President Bush, ask him to cut down on earmarked spending (i.e. pork barrel projects) simply by not spending the money. They claim…

Media

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State Budget

Say you want a revolution?

  • March 7, 2006

Editorial from the Chambersburg Public Opinion on how our Supreme Court judges are spending YOUR money.

Media

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State Budget

State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”

  • March 6, 2006

In his 2006-07 budget address, Gov. Ed Rendell claimed to be taking the “road less traveled.” But in unveiling his new spending plan, the governor revealed that he is speeding…

Commentary

Read More: State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”

State Budget

The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 1, 2006

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had a good tax year – that is, in government collection terms. General Fund revenues will exceed expectations this year by a projected $353 million. But…

Commentary

Read More: The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?

State Budget

The Myth of Spending Cuts for the Poor, Tax Cuts for the Rich

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 16, 2006

Fascinating analysis by the Heritage Foundation on how the Bush administration – attacked by critics for “cutting spending for the poor while cutting taxes for the rich” – has…

Media

Read More: The Myth of Spending Cuts for the Poor, Tax Cuts for the Rich

State Budget

Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act

  • February 8, 2006

MEMORANDUM DATE: February 8, 2006TO: All Republican SenatorsCC: Capitol NewsroomFROM: Erik ArnesonSUBJECT: Rendell 06-07 Budget Proposal vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act Gov. Rendell today claimed that his…

Media

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State Budget

Rendell to propose business tax cuts

  • January 31, 2006

Attempting to reshape himself as a “pro-business” Democrat after 3 years of punishing job creators, Gov. Rendell gave a sneak peek into next week’s budget address. Remember, this is after…

Media

Read More: Rendell to propose business tax cuts

State Budget

How about the people paying the bills???

  • January 18, 2006

Well, the Senate released its schedule for the 2006-07 Budget hearings. After Gov. Rendell presents his $24-25 BILLION taxpayer tab in early February to the General Assembly, the Senate has…

Media

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State Budget

Spending limit fear-mongering addressed

  • December 21, 2005

Harrisburg Patriot-NewsLetter to the EditorWednesday, December 21, 2005 Stephen Herzenberg of the Keystone Research Center letter (Dec. 13) criticizes, in a most fascinating way, the proposed Taxpayer Fairness…

Media

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State Budget

… tap-dancing pigs

  • December 12, 2005

Editorial on spending limits from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Media

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