State Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act
Summary Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural deficit that will force lawmakers to cut spending or increase taxes. State spending growth far outpaces inflation, population growth, and economic growth. This…
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection ActHigh 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.
Education
Gov. Shapiro’s budget shoves Pennsylvania in the wrong direction
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania’s population is shrinking as working-age families move away to other states. State policymakers’ most important challenge is how to make our commonwealth…
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If Josh Shapiro wants to compete with Ohio, he needs to imitate Ohio
Originally published at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gov. Josh Shapiro is right: Pennsylvania is losing to Ohio. In the last two years, Pennsylvania witnessed a net loss of 2,425 residents and…
Media Hit
Read More: If Josh Shapiro wants to compete with Ohio, he needs to imitate OhioEducation
Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, Pa., February 8, 2024 — The spending increases proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his recently released 2024 budget proposal “would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget ProposalEducation
Key Takeaways from Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Key Points Gov. Josh Shapiro’s startling spending increases and myriad of new initiatives would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on working families in the coming years.
Backgrounder
Read More: Key Takeaways from Governor’s 2024 Budget ProposalEducation
Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Demonstrates Startling Fiscal Irresponsibility
Harrisburg, Pa., February 6, 2024 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2024 Pennsylvania budget address in the Capitol rotunda. His speech, lasting approximately an hour and a half, included proposals…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Demonstrates Startling Fiscal IrresponsibilityEducation
Stefano: Do-nothing Dems in the Pa. House hold bipartisan reforms hostage
Pennsylvania is losing people and industries to other states as a result of the state’s “crippling economic policies,” writes Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano in her Monday Inquirer …
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Do-nothing Dems in the Pa. House hold bipartisan reforms hostage
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer In the last two years, tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians have fled the state. This trend is not new. For 12…
Media Hit
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How Gov. Shapiro Can Help ‘Every Child of God’
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania “I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said last year, “and one of the…
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Shapiro’s Budget Better Be “Competitive as Hell”
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro likes to brag about being “competitive as hell.” Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is losing—and I’m not talking about football. U.S. News &…
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Read More: Shapiro’s Budget Better Be “Competitive as Hell”Prosperity
Pennsylvanians are leaving — and economic reforms will bring them back
Originally published in The Mercury The U.S. Census Bureau found that almost 25,000 Pennsylvanians left the state last year. This exodus marks the 12th time in the past 13…
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Saving Billy Penn was good, but Shapiro needs to find focus on bigger problems
Originally published in the Delaware County Daily Times All eyes are on the Keystone State in 2024. Whoever wins Pennsylvania, the nation’s largest swing state, will likely occupy the…
Media Hit
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Shapiro’s New Year’s resolution
Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s the season to shed bad habits. And Gov. Josh Shapiro, as he enters year two in office, should consider dropping this overdone…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s New Year’s resolutionProsperity
Pa.’s Population Continues Its Troubling Decline
Harrisburg, Pa., December 20, 2023 — Pennsylvania’s population continues to decline, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report showing a total loss of 10,408 residents between July 2022 and July 2023.
Press Release
Read More: Pa.’s Population Continues Its Troubling DeclineEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Pa. Survey Finds President Biden, Donald Trump in Dead Heat
Harrisburg, Pa., December 19, 2023 — When it comes to candidates who Pennsylvanians are unwilling to vote for, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are in a dead heat, according to a…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Pa. Survey Finds President Biden, Donald Trump in Dead HeatEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Struggling to Pinpoint Governor Shapiro’s Successes
Harrisburg, Pa., December 19, 2023 — When asked to list significant accomplishments by Gov. Josh Shapiro, 61 percent of Pennsylvania voters either stated he had not (36 percent) or were unsure…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Struggling to Pinpoint Governor Shapiro’s SuccessesEducation
A Tale of Two Chambers in Pennsylvania
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania General Assembly is currently a Dickensian tale of two chambers. One chamber — the Senate — exemplifies the best of the times:…
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Pa. great place to retire, but bad for workers
Originally published in The Morning Call Jason Kavulich, the state’s secretary of aging, shared great news: Pennsylvania is a top place to retire. Unfortunately, the commonwealth is not hospitable…
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Pa. Tracking Poll: Biden Faces Political Headwinds on Eve of Pa. Visit
Harrisburg, Pa., December 7, 2023 – As President Biden prepares for his ninth visit to Pennsylvania in 2023—his most-visited state aside from Delaware, his home state—he is struggling to connect with…
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Read More: Pa. Tracking Poll: Biden Faces Political Headwinds on Eve of Pa. VisitTaxes & Economy
Jennifer Stefano: Holiday shopping is a moral good
Despite a growing association of the Christmas season with anti-consumerism, holiday shopping stimulates local economies and businesses, writes Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jennifer Stefano in her recent …
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Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Holiday shopping is a moral goodTaxes & Economy
Holiday shopping is a moral good
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer At 5:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve, you’ll find me at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church near 13th…
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Read More: Holiday shopping is a moral goodPublic Union Democracy
Taxpayer-Funded Strikes Would be Bad for All Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, Pa., November 15, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation highlighted major problems with House Bill (HB) 1481. If passed, this legislation will provide unemployment benefits for striking workers, effectively forcing taxpayers…
Press Release
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