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
Return of Pennsylvania Legislature’s Reserves?
An audit of the General Assembly found there is $200 million in legislative surplus, and called for most of it to be returned to the taxpayers who paid for…
Media
Read More: Return of Pennsylvania Legislature’s Reserves?State Budget
Earmarks Galore
Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn has a new report on the most outrageous examples of federal spending. Some of the top examples, courtesy of the Center for Fiscal Accountability:…
Media
Read More: Earmarks GaloreRegulation
Rendells Wicked Game
People are but mere pawns for Gov. Ed Rendell’s use as political leverage in an inexorable pursuit of his policy agenda. Thousands of state employees were unnecessarily furloughed…
Commentary
Read More: Rendells Wicked GameState Budget
Pennsylvania’ $1.6 billion budget shortfall, and Rendell’s fixes
Governor Rendell gave his mid-year budget briefing earlier today – you can download the presentation here, but let me save you the time – the only thing new or…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’ $1.6 billion budget shortfall, and Rendell’s fixesRegulation
Where to Find WAMs
I have gotten a couple of requests today for lists of WAMs and other recent spending. We put together a list of recent grants the Governor has awarded/announced in…
Media
Read More: Where to Find WAMsState Budget
How far will freezing pay go in solving Pennsylvania’s budget crisis?
Governor Rendell’s recent pronouncement that he will freeze the pay of 13,600 Pennsylvania state workers (this doesn’t apply to 62,000 unionize employees) is estimate to save about $14…
Media
Read More: How far will freezing pay go in solving Pennsylvania’s budget crisis?State Budget
Pennsylvania budget shortfall grows to $658 million
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has released the November Revenue Collections, showing the state General Fund collections now $658 million below estimate.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall grows to $658 millionState Budget
Spend Like It’s 2007
Commonwealth’s revenue shortfall grows to $658 million HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today renewed its call for restrained state government spending in the wake of a growing revenue…
Press Release
Read More: Spend Like It’s 2007Government Accountability
Cut Legislature First
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorializes that the first item to be cut from the budget should be the legislature’s budget, noting this is the source of funding for bonuses, no-work…
Media
Read More: Cut Legislature FirstState Budget
Budget shortfall, but money (and giant checks) for pork is plentiful
Even though Pennsylvania is facing a massive budget shortfall, don’t expect Governor Rendell to stop touring the state handing out taxpayer funds. Yesterday, he announced $44 million in “investments”…
Media
Read More: Budget shortfall, but money (and giant checks) for pork is plentifulState Budget
Taxpayers still buying promotional calendars for lawmakers
Dennis Owens of ABC 27 has a story that the latest Capitol Calendars (“courtesy” of your legislator) are now available. Owens recalled our breakdown of the cost of…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers still buying promotional calendars for lawmakersRegulation
Massive Budget Hole Awaits New Legislature
Commonwealth’s revenue shortfall grows to $560 million HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today warned the newly minted General Assembly that it must immediately heed the voters’ call for “change”…
Press Release
Read More: Massive Budget Hole Awaits New LegislatureState Budget
State Spending Cuts Continue
Governor Rendell has “discovered” an additional $111 million in spending cuts bringing the total up from $200 million to $311 million. The cuts are a result…
Media
Read More: State Spending Cuts ContinueState Budget
Water and Sewer Ballot Question
When Pennsylvania voters head to the polls on November 4, 2008, they will also be asked to vote "YES" or "NO" on a ballot measure which would allow the state…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Water and Sewer Ballot QuestionState Budget
The 400 Million Dollar Question
Originally posted at the Capitol Domes, a new blog from the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal. How will you vote on November 4? No, I’m…
Media
Read More: The 400 Million Dollar QuestionState Budget
Earmark searches made easy
The Seattle Times has a great tool for searching earmarks. Not only can you find defense earmarks for each member of Congress, but they also report campaign contributions from…
Media
Read More: Earmark searches made easyState Budget
Capitol Domes: Fiscal Cliff Ahead
The Central Penn Business Journal launched Capitol Domes today (subscribe to the feed here), a new blog featuring Matt Brouillette and Rock the Capital’s Eric Epstein. Brouillette’s…
Media
Read More: Capitol Domes: Fiscal Cliff AheadState Budget
Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)
Recently, state Senators Gibson Armstrong (R, Lancaster) and Vince Fumo (D, Philadelphia) sounded the alarm that Pennsylvania will be facing a massive budget deficit by the end of the…
Commentary
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How much of a budget deficit is Pennsylvania facing?
Capitolwire.com is reporting that there is a top-secret memo from one of the four legislative caucuses estimating that Pennsylvania is facing a potential $2.5 billion budget deficit going into…
Media
Read More: How much of a budget deficit is Pennsylvania facing?State Budget
PA Budget Deficit Growing
The latest Pennsylvania Revenue Department report indicates that collections were $160 million below estimates in September, and $280 million below for the fiscal year which began in July.
Media
Read More: PA Budget Deficit GrowingState Budget
Reduce Spending Now, or Increase Taxes Later
$281 million budget shortfall puts taxpayers at risk HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation renewed its call for Governor Rendell and the General Assembly to take action to prevent a…
Press Release
Read More: Reduce Spending Now, or Increase Taxes Later