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
Press Pause on Clean Power Plan
In a historic move, the US Supreme Court stayed the EPA's Clean Power Plan, otherwise known as Obama's energy tax or stealth cap and trade. The court’s actions halt implementation…
Media
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Wolf Tops $1 Billion in New Education Spending
As expected, a cornerstone of Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal is a massive increase in state support of public schools. The administration seeks a $1.1 billion increase over the record-high funding…
Media
Read More: Wolf Tops $1 Billion in New Education SpendingState Budget
Deficit Hypocrisy
Much has been made of the state’s structural deficit, which amounts to about 3 percent of Pennsylvania's total operating budget. Unfortunately, Gov. Wolf can't envision a scenario in which government adopts reforms…
Media
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True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per Worker
True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per Worker Total Operating Budget to Reach $80 Billion for First Time February 11, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Did you know the state…
Press Release
Read More: True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per WorkerState Budget
Five Facts about Wolf’s Second Budget Proposal
More of the same Wolf’s proposed budget mirrors what he offered—and lawmakers repeatedly rejected—last year: Massive tax hikes and record spending increases. It’s no surprise Wolf didn’t want to…
Media
Read More: Five Facts about Wolf’s Second Budget ProposalEducation
Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years
Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years Slaps Pennsylvanians with $850 per Family of Four Tax Increase February 9, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, Gov. Tom Wolf doubled…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 YearsState Budget
A Brief History of Wolf’s Tax Hikes
In 2015, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed five broad-based tax hikes on working families—each of which was eventually rejected by state lawmakers. Here's some background on each of Gov. Wolf’s tax…
Memo
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Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local Budgets
Pennsylvania taxpayers shoulder the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Consequently, the Keystone State has seen an exodus of working people. Unsustainable growth in…
Memo
Read More: Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local BudgetsState Budget
How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?
Pennsylvania currently has the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Yet Gov. Wolf proposed historic tax hikes last year and continues to press for tax increases. Here’s an…
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?State Budget
Reversing the Status Quo in Pennsylvania
Higher government spending and raising taxes—while ignoring key fiscal reforms—is the status quo in Pennsylvania. For 45 years, government spending has steadily risen, increasing by an inflation-adjusted $13,800 per family of four or $3,450…
Memo
Read More: Reversing the Status Quo in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Who is Wolf Giving Your Tax Dollars To?
Next week Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil a “new” budget, with all expectations that it will be just like his first proposal—calling for new taxes on working families. In fact, you…
Media
Read More: Who is Wolf Giving Your Tax Dollars To?State Budget
Audio: PA Budget Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day has come and gone, but Gov. Wolf hasn’t stopped celebrating Punxsutawney Phil’s big day. Paying homage to the theme of the Groundhog Day movie, Wolf has trapped Pennsylvanians in…
Media
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Groundhog Day: Wolf Demands Millions More for Education
When Punxsutawney Phil casts a shadow, Pennsylvanians expect a long winter. When Gov. Wolf issues a press release, Pennsylvanians expect a massive tax hike. How fitting that Wolf…
Media
Read More: Groundhog Day: Wolf Demands Millions More for EducationState Budget
Is Pa. Budget Groundhog Day Ahead?
Instead of changing course entering the new budget season, Wolf appears poised to continue governing by attack ad. No wonder the latest polling shows Wolf’s approval is lower now than…
Commentary
Read More: Is Pa. Budget Groundhog Day Ahead?Education
Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans
Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans Pa. Spends $3,400 More Per Student than the National Average February 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today at 2 p.m., Gov. Wolf…
Press Release
Read More: Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education PlansHealth Care
The Trouble with Medicaid Expansion
As yesterday's deadline to enroll in an Obamacare marketplace insurance plan quietly passed, Gov. Wolf is boasting about Medicaid expansion—a major component of the federal government's health care overhaul.
Media
Read More: The Trouble with Medicaid ExpansionRegulation
PPA Picks Cartels over Consumers
Jon Brennan’s Audi S4 was impounded by Philadelphia police because he’s an UberX driver. Emails uncovered by the Philadelphia Inquirer reveal that the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has thrown…
Media
Read More: PPA Picks Cartels over ConsumersTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians Prosper as New Yorkers Pine
They are similar in size, resources and population, but the past few years have brought prosperity to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania and stagnation to Delaware County, New York. The big difference?…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvanians Prosper as New Yorkers PineState Budget
Demographics Destined to Hold Pennsylvania Back?
Last year, Pennsylvania lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes. In total, the state’s net domestic migration rate was negative: 41,607 more people moved out of Pennsylvania than…
Media
Read More: Demographics Destined to Hold Pennsylvania Back?State Budget
Despite Name-Calling, Wolf’s Tax Hike is the Largest
The Wolf administration continues to deny basic facts about their original proposed tax hike. Instead of responding with facts, the governor's staff relies on name-calling and personal attacks. The Altoona Mirror…
Media
Read More: Despite Name-Calling, Wolf’s Tax Hike is the LargestCriminal Justice Reform
2012 Corrections Reform Still Paying Off
Yesterday, Gov. Wolf and Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel announced that Pennsylvania’s prison population declined last year by the largest amount since 1971. The number of imates declined by…
Media
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