High 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.

Regulation

Corporate Welfare’s Record of Failure

  • October 16, 2018

In a free market economy, entrepreneurs succeed or fail based on their ability to meet their customers’ needs. Yet all too often, government disrupts this process by conferring tax credits,…

Fact Sheet

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Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania’s Financial Condition? Critical

  • October 16, 2018

Despite what you may have heard, Pennsylvania’s fiscal troubles haven’t disappeared. The recent state budget did not address the commonwealth’s short- or long-term financial challenges. It merely papered over them.

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ Potential

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 11, 2018

Pennsylvania’s poverty rate remains far too high. Employers can’t find workers with technical skills, and the commonwealth continues to lead the northeast in incarcerating our citizens. One organization is…

Media

Read More: Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ Potential

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Tax Climate Remains a Burden

  • October 3, 2018

The commonwealth’s business tax climate is chilling. A report from the Tax Foundation ranks Pennsylvania on a variety of key taxes, putting the state at 34th overall. On corporate income taxes,…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Tax Climate Remains a Burden

Education

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • September 18, 2018

It’s rare to see kids voluntarily give up their Saturday to work. But that’s exactly what my 12- and 14-year old daughters—along with a dozen other kids—did at the recent…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Where Are Americans Moving?

  • September 12, 2018

Millions of people move throughout the United States each year. Some make a home on the next street over. Others move across the country. This is a normal and healthy…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

How Pennsylvania Can Transform Its Tax Code

  • September 6, 2018

Pennsylvania’s state and local tax structure is an illogical patchwork of punitive and nuisance taxes, administrative inefficiencies, and special interest carveouts. A new report from the Tax Foundation highlights…

Media

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Regulation

Gov. Wolf’s Unfair Demands Will Hinder the Economy

  • Gordon Tomb
  • August 29, 2018

The Wolf administration is once again attempting to impose excessive costs on the gas industry—and consumers—by proposing triple-digit-percentage increases in fees for authorizing well development. Pennsylvania charges more for…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Unfair Demands Will Hinder the Economy

Taxes & Economy

The Unmistakable Merits of Tax Reform

  • August 29, 2018

Later today, Rep. Seth Grove and the York County House Delegation will host a legislative forum on the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed late last year.

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

Removing Barriers to Work for Ex-Offenders

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 15, 2018

Pennsylvania has a 3-year recidivism rate of nearly 61 percent. Research shows one of the most critical components of successful re-entry is a job. But for 255…

Memo

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State Budget

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in Pennsylvania

  • August 14, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides tax relief to working people across all income levels. Since its passage, more than 660 businesses have announced raises, bonuses, or enhanced retirement benefits…

Fact Sheet

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Reform Continues to Produce Positive News

  • August 8, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has provided much-needed tax relief to working people—a key selling point leading up to passage of the law. However, the act’s advocates…

Media

Read More: Tax Reform Continues to Produce Positive News

Criminal Justice Reform

Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 31, 2018

In the last four years Pennsylvania has experienced rapid state spending growth. On the plus side, constant tax hike proposals have been largely rejected and policies like pension reform, school…

Memo

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Taxes & Economy

Exploding Myths about Tax Reform

  • July 25, 2018

The misconceptions partially driving public opinion of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are stubbornly persistent. Opponents of the tax reform have invented myth after myth to sour public perception…

Media

Read More: Exploding Myths about Tax Reform

Health Care

Small Increases Expected on Pa.’s Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 25, 2018

Pennsylvanians who purchase health insurance on the Exchange will finally get some relief from years of premium hikes. Pa. Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman announced they expect an average premium…

Media

Read More: Small Increases Expected on Pa.’s Exchange

Government Accountability

State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in Earmarks

  • July 24, 2018

July 24, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Nearly 50 obscurely-worded earmarks are buried in Pennsylvania’s fiscal code—amounting to $35 million in hidden expenses—according to a Commonwealth Foundation analysis. Click here for a searchable…

Press Release

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Criminal Justice Reform

Another Step Towards Reducing Barriers to Work

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 23, 2018

Pennsylvania licenses over 250 occupations, creating unnecessary bureaucracy and obstacles to good paying jobs. Across the country states like Arizona, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Nebraska are eliminating licensure requirements…

Media

Read More: Another Step Towards Reducing Barriers to Work

Education

Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not Beneficial

  • July 20, 2018

This week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Philadelphia’s soda tax, citing the Sterling Act as grounds for their decision. While supporters celebrate their good intentions, the tax is…

Media

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State Budget

The Tangible Benefits of Tax Reform

  • July 18, 2018

One of the many benefits of federal tax reform kicked in earlier this month in the form of lower utility bills for Pennsylvania residents. Back in May, the Pennsylvania Public…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

More States Reject Prevailing Wage Mandates

  • July 16, 2018

Last month, Michigan took a step forward and joined 24 other states that have no prevailing wage law. Could Pennsylvania be the next? For far too long, Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage…

Media

Read More: More States Reject Prevailing Wage Mandates

Taxes & Economy

Gov. Wolf’s Overtime Rule Will Backfire

  • July 12, 2018

Gov. Wolf’s progressive policy agenda is threatening to make it more difficult to hire and retain workers. Earlier this year, the governor proposed increasing the overtime salary threshold from…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Overtime Rule Will Backfire