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
Tax Sends Vape Shops Up in Smoke
Imagine you find a way to help others live healthier lives, and this passion leads you to invest your savings to start a related small business. Now, imagine state government…
Commentary
Read More: Tax Sends Vape Shops Up in SmokeEnergy
Lessons from Fracking’s Borderlines
New Yorkers shouldn’t have to eye secession to tap the riches beneath their feet. Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to worry that taxes and regulations will drive away opportunity and raise energy…
Commentary
Read More: Lessons from Fracking’s BorderlinesRegulation
How to Fix the Vape Tax
The House will return to session later today, with the Senate to follow early next week. The two chambers are in session for a total of nine days. This gives lawmakers a limited…
Media
Read More: How to Fix the Vape TaxEducation
Facts about the State Share of School Funding
Should the Pennsylvania Supreme Court order the Legislature to give billions more dollars to school districts? That's what a recent lawsuit demands. But to make their case to the public, the lawsuit's advocates…
Media
Read More: Facts about the State Share of School FundingState Budget
Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating Inequality
Gov. Wolf is embracing a government that works for the wealthy and well-connected. Yesterday, his administration announced its intention to commit more than $20.5 million to Aramark just to…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating InequalityTaxes & Economy
Podcast: Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites – Meet Pa.’s Tax Code
Did you know Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 taxing authorities? It’s a staggering number that exceeds almost any other state in the nation. Not only does this create confusion and…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites – Meet Pa.’s Tax CodeRegulation
The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less
Pennsylvania's pension debt stands at $63 billion or more than $4,900 per resident. It's a big number to be sure, but what does it mean for the average Pennsylvanian? What does it…
Media
Read More: The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get LessRegulation
Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time
Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time $18 Billion SERS Unfunded Liability Breakdown Shows Urgent Need for Reform September 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers mull major…
Press Release
Read More: Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First TimeState Budget
Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce Spending
Fiscal responsibility is at a premium across the country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. In June, lawmakers passed a budget that increased spending by $1.6 billion. Weeks later, they passed…
Media
Read More: Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce SpendingHealth Care
Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring Hope
Obamacare is struggling for survival. Despite victories in the courts, state exchanges are in trouble, and Medicaid expansion has been more costly than expected—with no evidence of improved health outcomes.
Media
Read More: Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring HopeTaxes & Economy
How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?
Pennsylvania’s tax structure should benefit all Pennsylvanians, not just some. Unfortunately, our state’s stifling tax burden harms residents. Each year, government spending grows, increasing the pressure for higher taxes. These…
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?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 2017