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.
Criminal Justice Reform
Removing Barriers to Work for Ex-Offenders
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
Read More: Removing Barriers to Work for Ex-OffendersState Budget
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in Pennsylvania
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
Read More: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Tax Reform Continues to Produce Positive News
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 NewsCriminal Justice Reform
Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf
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
Read More: Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. WolfTaxes & Economy
Exploding Myths about Tax Reform
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 ReformHealth Care
Small Increases Expected on Pa.’s Exchange
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 ExchangeGovernment Accountability
State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in Earmarks
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
Read More: State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in EarmarksCriminal Justice Reform
Another Step Towards Reducing Barriers to Work
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 WorkEducation
Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not Beneficial
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
Read More: Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not BeneficialState Budget
The Tangible Benefits of Tax Reform
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
Read More: The Tangible Benefits of Tax ReformPublic Union Democracy
More States Reject Prevailing Wage Mandates
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 MandatesTaxes & Economy
Gov. Wolf’s Overtime Rule Will Backfire
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 BackfireCriminal Justice Reform
Bipartisan Support for a Second Chance
We all deserve a second chance. This is the core principle underlying “clean slate” legislation, which the legislature overwhelmingly approved last week. The measure, House Bill 1419, sponsored by…
Media
Read More: Bipartisan Support for a Second ChanceHealth Care
Hidden Human Services Spending
What’s the main driver of spending in Harrisburg? It’s not education. The main driver of costs is the Department of Human Services, which includes Medicaid, child services, nursing home care…
Media
Read More: Hidden Human Services SpendingState Budget
State Budget 2018: Policy Victories & Missed Opportunities
With a signed state budget, it’s time to review the policy victories and missed opportunities that define the 2018-19 spending package. Victories Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) expansion: Lawmakers approved…
Media
Read More: State Budget 2018: Policy Victories & Missed OpportunitiesRegulation
Gov. Moves to Eliminate Handful of Occupational Licenses
Sally Ladd earned a living managing vacation rental properties in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Her clients gladly pay Sally to manage their listings, but that livelihood was threatened when the…
Media
Read More: Gov. Moves to Eliminate Handful of Occupational LicensesEducation
House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes
Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote (188-10). The legislation, House Bill 2121, avoids tax increases and pulls back from…
Press Release
Read More: House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on TaxesState Budget
Six Things to Know About Pa. House Budget
The state budget is on the move. Earlier today the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan to the full House for its consideration. The…
Media
Read More: Six Things to Know About Pa. House BudgetTaxes & Economy
Dueling Energy Subsidies are Equally Bad
Shortly after Pennsylvania lawmakers suggested subsidies for nuclear power plants, the federal government launched a new effort to subsidize not only nuclear power but other forms of energy…
Media
Read More: Dueling Energy Subsidies are Equally BadState Budget
How Lawmakers Can Revive Pa.’s Economy
A look at job growth and labor force trends over the past few years reveals the Keystone State’s economy to be stagnant or, at best, overshadowed by robust growth in…
Media
Read More: How Lawmakers Can Revive Pa.’s EconomyState Budget
PA Legislature Moves to Protect Taxpayers from Habitual Overspending
Today, the Senate State Government Committee took a positive step toward putting Pennsylvania’s finances back on solid ground by passing the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) or House Bill 110—sponsored…
Press Release
Read More: PA Legislature Moves to Protect Taxpayers from Habitual Overspending