Education
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansHigh taxes make for a slow-growing economy. And communities feel the pinch of high taxes as more and more native Pennsylvanians leave the Keystone State to prosper elsewhere. To remain economically competitive, Pennsylvania must lower state taxes and ensure businesses have the opportunity to succeed. Lower taxes will incentivize more individuals to call Pennsylvania their home, ultimately spurring our statewide economy forward.
Taxes & Economy
Aid Pays More Than Work, Predictable Results Ensue
This is not how a safety net is supposed to work.
Commentary
Read More: Aid Pays More Than Work, Predictable Results EnsueGovernment Accountability
Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.
Governor Wolf continues to take positive steps toward a safe and gradual opening of the Pennsylvania economy because lawmakers continue to advance good policy that protects lives and livelihoods.
Memo
Read More: Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.Government Accountability
Wolf Makes Reopening Concessions, but Stops Short of Transparency
April 20, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Governor Wolf vetoed a bill, SB 613, that would have brought clarity to Pennsylvania’s controversial business shutdown and provided hope for the future. But…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Makes Reopening Concessions, but Stops Short of TransparencyCriminal Justice Reform
How Pa. Can Keep Prisons and Communities Safe During Coronavirus
Pennsylvania’s prisons and jails are particularly vulnerable to the quick spread of COVID-19. Here are several recommendations for mitigating the risk in our corrections system while protecting public safety. …
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Pa. Can Keep Prisons and Communities Safe During CoronavirusHealth Care
Wolf’s Business Shutdown is Broken, Here’s How to Fix It
Gov. Wolf’s shutdown of “non-life-essential" businesses has caused more than 1.1 million Pennsylvania workers to lose their jobs in the last three weeks alone. This unprecedented loss of income is…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Business Shutdown is Broken, Here’s How to Fix ItTaxes & Economy
State Unemployment Fund Returns to Crisis
The unemployment insurance fund was neither properly replenished nor reformed after running out of money in 2008. It is about to run out of money again. …
Commentary
Read More: State Unemployment Fund Returns to CrisisHealth Care
Stories of Hope and Flourishing in Pennsylvania during COVID-19
It’s all too easy to fall into the pit of bad news these days. But thankfully, people and markets are creative and charitable, especially in tough times. Here are some…
Commentary
Read More: Stories of Hope and Flourishing in Pennsylvania during COVID-19Health Care
Pennsylvania Can Beat COVID-19. Here’s How
It’s a thin tightrope to walk, but lawmakers must balance policies that keep Pennsylvanians safe with those that empower medical workers, protect the health care supply chain, and …
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Can Beat COVID-19. Here’s HowEducation
Pa. Lawmakers can Help Families and Businesses Overcome COVID-19
March 25, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Commonwealth Foundation released a package of key policy solutions to help reduce the harm caused by COVID-19 and the response to it.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Lawmakers can Help Families and Businesses Overcome COVID-19Health Care
Policy Recommendations to Fight COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
As Pennsylvania faces its greatest crisis in decades, it is imperative that legislators take the lead and enact key heath care, education, and budget reforms to help Pennsylvania families and small…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Policy Recommendations to Fight COVID-19 in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Tale of Two Workers
The rhetoric surrounding public service and actual compensation for public service are two different stories. Average total compensation (salary and benefits) for a Pennsylvania state employee is now $104,506. That’s…
Commentary
Read More: Tale of Two WorkersHealth Care
No Easy Pass This Year on Cost Overruns
Legislators are questioning the administration's chronic overspending habit, but they aren't getting many answers.
Commentary
Read More: No Easy Pass This Year on Cost OverrunsHealth Care
Gov. Wolf Should Unleash Pennsylvanians’ Ingenuity to Improve Medicaid
It’s time for Pennsylvania to pursue proven ways of improving the quality of Medicaid services, while reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Commentary
Read More: Gov. Wolf Should Unleash Pennsylvanians’ Ingenuity to Improve MedicaidGovernment Accountability
Three Steps to an Honest Budget: Fiscal Reform Priorities 2020-2021
Our legislative roadmap to a balanced budget, a spending limit and a more transparent fiscal process.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Three Steps to an Honest Budget: Fiscal Reform Priorities 2020-2021Energy
5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PA
When Governor Wolf announced his decision to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through executive order this past October, he also sent the message that PA is closed for business. For businesses operating…
Commentary
Read More: 5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PAHealth Care
Where Have All the Human Service Dollars Gone?
Nearly half of Pennsylvania's budget goes to human services or welfare. Governor Wolf wants to increase human service spending by $1.4 billion next year. But how well are these programs…
Commentary
Read More: Where Have All the Human Service Dollars Gone?Regulation
Wolf’s Wage Mandates Undermine Workers
Governor Wolf's new overtime pay rules and his sixth minimum wage proposal is a one-two punch that could send our economy reeling.
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Wage Mandates Undermine WorkersGovernment Accountability
Wolf’s Budget Borrows Billions and Attacks Schools of Choice
February 4, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Gov. Wolf outlined a massive spending and borrowing plan in his annual budget address. The $36.1 billion proposed General Fund Budget represents a…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Budget Borrows Billions and Attacks Schools of ChoiceState Budget
5 Takeaways from Governor Wolf’s 2020 Budget Address
Governor Wolf unveiled his sixth budget proposal today. Here are five key takeaways.
Commentary
Read More: 5 Takeaways from Governor Wolf’s 2020 Budget AddressGovernment Accountability
Lawmakers Send Message to Wolf on Eve of Budget Address
February 3, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, on the eve of Gov. Wolf’s sixth state budget address, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a much-needed fiscal reform called the…
Press Release
Read More: Lawmakers Send Message to Wolf on Eve of Budget AddressTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Loses 54 People Every Day
How long before Pennsylvania becomes one big ghost town? New Census data shows that Pennsylvania lost a net of 19,588 residents to other states in 2019—that’s a loss of 54 people…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Loses 54 People Every Day