Education
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansHigh 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
Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf has proposed several new spending initiatives and tax code changes, though specific details remain lacking. To give Pennsylvanians a better idea of the impact of these proposals,…
Memo
Read More: Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax ProposalsEducation
Analysis: Wolf’s “Fresh Start” Plan Requires Huge Tax Increases
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf’s $4.6 Billion in New Education Spending Would Require Doubling State Income Tax Analysis Reveals PA Families Face…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Wolf’s “Fresh Start” Plan Requires Huge Tax IncreasesState Budget
Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending
Last week, two major bond rating agencies (Fitch and Standards & Poor’s) downgraded Pennsylvania’s debt rating citing poor fiscal health. While this should worry voters—taxpayers will be forced to pay…
Commentary
Read More: Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic OverspendingRegulation
How Much are Pension Costs Affecting Schools?
My colleague Katrina has an op-ed in The Patriot-News today explaining the gravity of the state pension crisis and why action needs to happen now. As Katrina points out,…
Media
Read More: How Much are Pension Costs Affecting Schools?Health Care
When the Poorest Fall Through
On a Friday near noon, on the top floor of Christ Lutheran Church, John Kiessling has patients occupying both chairs at his charity dental clinic. He buzzes from one to…
Media
Read More: When the Poorest Fall ThroughTaxes & Economy
New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas Industry
Armstrong County farmer Randy Walker worries about the effect of a natural gas severance tax on his royalties and the job market. Mr. Walker’s concerns are well founded. The natural gas…
Commentary
Read More: New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas IndustryRegulation
Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber
Last week two Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) administrative law judges recommended against legalizing the popular transportation service Uber in Allegheny County. The reason? The company, “is not committed to…
Media
Read More: Unpopular Attempt to Undo UberRegulation
Audio: Is There Really a Public Pension Crisis?
Short answer: Yes! But some—like government union leaders—deny that anything needs to be done or that there’s a crisis at all. The truth is, the consequences of inaction…
Media
Read More: Audio: Is There Really a Public Pension Crisis?State Budget
PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt
Every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania owes just over $10,000 in state and local debt. Today, the state House made another positive step towards reducing that debt burden.
Media
Read More: PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce DebtHealth Care
Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches
Montana’s Rib and Chop House in the Pittsburgh area is taking an innovative approach to providing health care coverage to employees, in spite of Obamacare. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports…
Media
Read More: Solving Health Care Without Obamacare HeadachesState Budget
Audio: Taxpayer Protection Act Responsibly Limits Spending
Last week, legislation moved out of the Senate Finance Committee that would set guardrails on state government spending, establish a “Rainy Day Fund,” and, potentially, even send rebate checks back…
Media
Read More: Audio: Taxpayer Protection Act Responsibly Limits SpendingTaxes & Economy
Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed
Good news: Pennsylvania will no longer spend 40 percent of the general fund budget on public welfare. Instead, we’ll spend it on “human services.” Yesterday, the general assembly approved HB…
Media
Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not RenamedState Budget
Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is Needed
We at the Commonwealth Foundation are pleased to welcome State Treasurer Rob McCord to the fight for fiscal restraint. McCord, along with Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, held a press conference…
Media
Read More: Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is NeededState Budget
Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families Stimulates Job Growth and Provides Rebates for Working Families September 16, 2014, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today,…
Press Release
Read More: Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working FamiliesPublic Union Democracy
Employees Lose Under PA’s Public Pension Systems
Most workers are shortchanged by Pennsylvania’s public employee pension programs, according to two recent studies. The Urban Institute gives Pennsylvania’s State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) an “F”…
Media
Read More: Employees Lose Under PA’s Public Pension SystemsState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act
Due to 40 years of government overspending, state and local taxes now cost Pennsylvanians $4,374 per person, equaling 10.3% of resident’s total income. Pennsylvania currently has the 10th highest state and…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection ActRegulation
Great Communicators: Pension Reform
Ed. note: These are the remarks given by Dawn Meling, CF’s director of marketing & outreach, at the Great Communicators Tournament in Denver, CO. on September 25, 2014. Thank…
Testimony
Read More: Great Communicators: Pension ReformHealth Care
Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to Improve
On Thursday, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced approval of the Healthy PA waiver, including a new private coverage option. But the approved waiver severely limited…
Media
Read More: Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to ImproveTaxes & Economy
Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming Poverty
Bobbi was struggling. A single mom of two kids, she had a job but no place to live. Thanks to Opportunity House in Reading, Pennsylvania, Bobbi found a home…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming PovertyTaxes & Economy
Landowners Will Bear Burden of Severance Tax
Randy Walker’s Armstrong County farm has been in the family for three generations. On 72 acres they grow hay, corn, oats, and care for cattle. A few years ago, Randy…
Media
Read More: Landowners Will Bear Burden of Severance TaxRegulation
Study: Selective Carve-Outs Make Poor Tax Policy
Lawmakers across the country have promoted specific, targeted tax breaks that encourage businesses to invest in their state. According to a recent study, these incentive programs are…
Media
Read More: Study: Selective Carve-Outs Make Poor Tax Policy