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.
State Budget
Breaking Pennsylvania’s Budget Tradition
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
Read More: Breaking Pennsylvania’s Budget TraditionState Budget
Rendell’s faux budget hides real growth in spending : The Morning Call Online
Read Grant Gulibon’s commentary in today’s Allentown Morning Call.
Media
Read More: Rendell’s faux budget hides real growth in spending : The Morning Call OnlineState Budget
Are they really “Fake” Republicans?
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
Read More: Are they really “Fake” Republicans?State Budget
CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 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 2006State Budget
Easiest Way to Cut Pork
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
Read More: Easiest Way to Cut PorkState Budget
Say you want a revolution?
Editorial from the Chambersburg Public Opinion on how our Supreme Court judges are spending YOUR money.
Media
Read More: Say you want a revolution?State Budget
State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”
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?
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
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 RichState Budget
Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act
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
Read More: Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness ActState Budget
Rendell to propose business tax cuts
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 cutsState Budget
How about the people paying the bills???
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
Read More: How about the people paying the bills???State Budget
Spending limit fear-mongering addressed
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
Read More: Spending limit fear-mongering addressedState Budget
… tap-dancing pigs
Editorial on spending limits from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Media
Read More: … tap-dancing pigsState Budget
Spending Limits: The Facts for Pennsylvania and the Truth about Colorado
MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL12.08.05, 3:00PM Commonwealth Foundation and Americans for Prosperity to Hold Media Conference Call TODAY Spending Limits: The Facts for Pennsylvania and the Truth about…
Media
Read More: Spending Limits: The Facts for Pennsylvania and the Truth about ColoradoState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation Bills
Pennsylvania is Exhibit #1 proving the axiom: “You can have government growth, or you can have economic growth, but you can’t have both!” For years, Pennsylvania public policy has increased…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation BillsRegulation
Growing Greener II
While Pennsylvanians obviously want an environmentally safe and economically prosperous state, the $625 million debt plan known as “Growing Greener II” guarantees neither.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Growing Greener IIState Budget
Spending Limits: If Gov. Rendell Doesnt Like Them, They Must Be a Good Idea
Well, that didn’t take long. Within a week of Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader David “Chip” Brightbill’s announcement that he would introduce a bill and/or constitutional amendment to bring state government…
Commentary
Read More: Spending Limits: If Gov. Rendell Doesnt Like Them, They Must Be a Good IdeaRegulation
Internet Taxes
A number of bills in the General Assembly represent the essential first step in extending the Commonwealth’s sales tax to out-of-state purchases—including those made over the Internet—through the national initiative…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Internet TaxesState Budget
Total Cost of Pennsylvania Government: 2005 and Beyond
The total cost of state and local government in Pennsylvania is projected to exceed $102 billion in FY 2004-05, and will likely reach more than $115 billion by the 2008-09…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Total Cost of Pennsylvania Government: 2005 and BeyondState Budget
The High Cost of Fiscally Responsible Compassion
For the naysayers of disciplined and effective government spending, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee has published “Republican Stewardship of State Government: 1995-2003.” Complete with a tagline, “Meeting the Challenge with…
Commentary
Read More: The High Cost of Fiscally Responsible Compassion