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.
State Budget
Podcast: How Money Walks Out of Pennsylvania
Last year, nearly 42,000 Pennsylvanians left the state to pursue their dreams elsewhere—that's one person every 12 and a half minutes. Why is money walking out of Pennsylvania? That’s…
Media
Read More: Podcast: How Money Walks Out of PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Welfare to Work Helped Reduce Poverty
Twenty years ago President Clinton signed a law creating Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), better known as sweeping welfare reform grounded in work requirements. In 1996, 531,000 adults and…
Media
Read More: Welfare to Work Helped Reduce PovertyRegulation
State Government is Killing My Business
In 2013, I opened my first business. I’d overcome many challenges and assumed some gut-wrenching risks to get there, but I did it—and I was proud. But less than three…
Commentary
Read More: State Government is Killing My BusinessState Budget
More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak Out
Amy Crivella was addicted to cigarettes. She tried everything—gum, patches, going cold turkey—but nothing worked. Then, she tried e-cigarettes, or vaping, and she didn’t need a cigarette for the first time…
Media
Read More: More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak OutEducation
Making the Most of Education Dollars
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale recently uncovered $2.5 million improperly paid to nine public charter schools. At issue is whether buildings owned by charter schools are eligible for the state's lease…
Media
Read More: Making the Most of Education DollarsState Budget
Seven Threats to the 2017-18 Budget
The 2016-17 budget remains unbalanced. Without serious efforts to reduce spending or reform major cost drivers, like public pensions and the sprawling human services system, taxpayers should expect a push…
Memo
Read More: Seven Threats to the 2017-18 BudgetState Budget
Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax Continues
Backlash over the punitive 40 percent wholesale e-cigarette tax continues. Yesterday, CF Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle discussed its devastating impacts with WILK-FM's L.A. Tarone. Stelle explained how this…
Media
Read More: Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax ContinuesRegulation
How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s Dream
Scottie Freeman wants to serve his community. He opened a vapor shop in a depressed part of Erie and planned to use the shop’s proceeds to open up an ice…
Media
Read More: How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s DreamTaxes & Economy
Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 Shops, 1,500 Jobs
Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 shops, 1,500 Jobs Bill Would Reverse 40-Percent Retroactive Tax Poised to Crush Pa. Small Businesses August 8, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Chris Hughes…
Press Release
Read More: Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 Shops, 1,500 JobsState Budget
5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017
The 2016-17 budget has passed, yet it remains unbalanced, relying on borrowing money and yet-to-be-passed legislation. Many revenue estimates are overly optimistic. Without efforts to reduce spending or reform cost drivers like pensions…
Media
Read More: 5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017Regulation
Government Favoritism Hurts Honest Businesses
Buried in a little debated 267-page tax code bill is a provision emblematic of Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture. The provision directs hotel tax revenue generated inside a Neighborhood…
Media
Read More: Government Favoritism Hurts Honest BusinessesRegulation
Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the Worse
Government’s heavy hand can cause immense harm. Dori Odosso (pictured) and Chris Hughes know this all too well. Both small business owners are concerned about a crushing new tax…
Media
Read More: Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the WorseState Budget
Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That
Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That Digital Downloads Tax Takes Effect Today August 1, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvanians who didn’t stock up on iTunes, eBooks, and game apps…
Press Release
Read More: Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for ThatRegulation
Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government Overreach
On Wednesday, we shared with you Chris’s fight to save his small business from a devastating tax increase. Regrettably, Chris’s business isn’t the only one threatened by the new…
Media
Read More: Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government OverreachState Budget
Taxes Threaten Chris’s Livelihood
Chris Hughes has owned Fat Cat Vapor Shop for almost three years. The shop—tucked away in a small Lycoming County borough—specializes in electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), which many people seek as…
Media
Read More: Taxes Threaten Chris’s LivelihoodRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon
Corporate welfare projects and celebratory press releases go together like peanut butter and jelly. For the most recent example in Pennsylvania, see the latest from the governor’s communications office:…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to AmazonEducation
Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?
Let’s talk for a moment about rainy days—specifically, the need to save funds to spend on one. Several school board administrators and lobbyists have taken issue with CF’s searchable,…
Media
Read More: Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?Regulation
The Pension Crisis Will Trigger Another Tax Hike
The 2016-17 budget is in the books with a $650 million tax increase. That's a significant increase…
Media
Read More: The Pension Crisis Will Trigger Another Tax HikePublic Union Democracy
DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host City
DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host City Philadelphians Suffering, Fleeing Due to Policies that Hurt Economic Growth July 21, 2016, Philadelphia, Pa.—As all…
Press Release
Read More: DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host CityState Budget
A Budget of Convenience
The dust has settled on the 2016-17 budget debate—at least for the moment. Some people hail the agreement as an example of what Harrisburg can accomplish when two parties work together.
Media
Read More: A Budget of ConvenienceState Budget
An Analysis of the 2016-17 Budget
On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13, the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: An Analysis of the 2016-17 Budget