State Budget
Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax Reform
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Today is Tax Day. Each year, April 15th reminds us of the costliness of government spending – and why lawmakers must reduce this financial burden on…
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax ReformHigh 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
Guest Post: How Philly’s Brutal Tax Policies Drive Away Jobs
Businesses and people vote with their feet. As a long-time Philadelphian, I have unfortunately witnessed my neighbors taking their livelihoods to the suburbs—or beyond. Politicians cast the blame here and…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: How Philly’s Brutal Tax Policies Drive Away JobsCriminal Justice Reform
Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort
Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…
Media
Read More: Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan EffortTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania, Let’s Make our Taxes an Investment
What do we get for our taxes in Pennsylvania? The question is rarely asked—because the answer is just too painful. But as Tax Day approaches, it's time for taxpayers to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania, Let’s Make our Taxes an InvestmentState Budget
It’s Time to Tackle Debt
An ostrich burying its head in the sand is a classic analogy for avoiding difficult decisions. Though this is a mischaracterization—their heads are buried to protect their eggs from predators—the metaphor…
Media
Read More: It’s Time to Tackle DebtTaxes & Economy
New Evidence Shows Work is the Path to Prosperity
Poverty and unemployment are vicious cycles. The longer you remain unemployed, the harder it is to find work—and poverty becomes more entrenched. As the Urban Institute puts it, “long-term…
Media
Read More: New Evidence Shows Work is the Path to ProsperityEducation
Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not Both
In a recent Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed, Mark Gleason explains that growing the economy and expanding educational opportunity are complementary, not competing goals: When it comes to preparing our children…
Media
Read More: Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not BothTaxes & Economy
First Do No Harm to Pa.’s Energy Sector
Pennsylvania’s energy industry is growing, but state government intervention through new taxes or special interest bailouts would threaten the positive trends of job growth and low energy prices. Pennsylvania ranked…
Media
Read More: First Do No Harm to Pa.’s Energy SectorHealth Care
Work Requirements Can Help Solve Pa.’s Workforce Challenges
The mismatch between job openings, workers’ skills, and workers’ expectations is a hot topic in the national and state media. As our CEO Charles Mitchell pointed out…
Media
Read More: Work Requirements Can Help Solve Pa.’s Workforce ChallengesState Budget
Rein in Spending, So Pa.’s Economy Can Race
My daughter recently started horseback riding lessons. She’s learning how to hold the reins with enough give for the horse to move but tight enough that the horse follows her directions. Like…
Media
Read More: Rein in Spending, So Pa.’s Economy Can RaceRegulation
5 Facts on the Proposed Nuclear Power Bailout
Should Pennsylvanians pay more for electricity to benefit nuclear power companies? A group of lawmakers are proposing a new category to our renewable energy mandates known as the Alternative…
Media
Read More: 5 Facts on the Proposed Nuclear Power BailoutTaxes & Economy
Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job Loss
In his 2019 budget address, Governor Wolf lamented “too many hardworking people are struggling to get by.” The solution is attracting high-wage jobs and encouraging more Pennsylvanians to gain valuable…
Media
Read More: Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job LossState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act: An Updated Legislator’s Guide
Pennsylvanians pay $4,589 per person in state and local taxes, which equals 10.2 percent of residents’ total income. This trend must be reversed by restraining spending growth through long-term reforms…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act: An Updated Legislator’s GuideTaxes & Economy
Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater Prosperity
Keystone Clippers has exceeded expectations. Owner Al Rodriguez is now “ahead of the game” due to last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He has added…
Media
Read More: Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater ProsperityState Budget
Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match Reality
Charles Mitchell, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Wolf’s fifth budget address: What a change four years and nine defeated…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match RealityState Budget
5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 Budget
1. Dramatic cost overruns lead to a $86 billion budget. Gov. Wolf proposed a $34.146 billion General Fund budget and a total operating budget of $85.804 billion.
Media
Read More: 5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 BudgetPublic Union Democracy
Why There’s “Money in Politics”
The recent public corruption indictment of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, leader of the IBEW 98 labor union, Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, and a slew of other IBEW leaders shows…
Media
Read More: Why There’s “Money in Politics”Regulation
New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate Welfare
Pennsylvania moviegoers who bought tickets for M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass last weekend paid more than the price of the ticket. They paid with their taxes. According to the Department of…
Media
Read More: New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate WelfareState Budget
Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the Economy
Revenue collections are $400 million above projections. Next year’s budget should be easy to balance. Instead, lawmakers are looking at a projected $1.7 billion deficit. Why? Pennsylvania continues…
Memo
Read More: Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the EconomyCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania State Budget Trends
On February 5, Governor Wolf will lay out his proposal for the 2019-20 state budget. Here are some key facts on spending trends, last year’s enacted budget, and challenges going…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget TrendsRegulation
College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About Beer
Anyone hoping to enjoy a cold drink from their favorite brewery this summer should prepare to spend a little more. Beginning July 1, a 6 percent tax will be…
Media
Read More: College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About BeerCriminal Justice Reform
Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of King
It’s been a shame that we’ve collectively spent so much time this month talking about the wrong King (Rep. Steve King) and views that harken back to our worst…
Media
Read More: Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of King