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.
Health Care
ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care
The federal government’s health care overhaul is quickly becoming “Medicaid for all.” The more we learn about the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) newly insured population, the clearer it becomes that…
Media
Read More: ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost CareTaxes & Economy
AP Story Errs on Wolf Spending Plan
A recent Associated Press story questions part of our analysis of Tom Wolf’s education spending and income tax proposals, specifically the notion that Mr. Wolf would have to double…
Media
Read More: AP Story Errs on Wolf Spending PlanEducation
Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?
Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…
Commentary
Read More: Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?Health Care
Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange
Premiums are poised to rise significantly in Pennsylvania in year two of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Three insurers announced this week that they are seeking premium increases of…
Media
Read More: Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA ExchangeEducation
Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree
From education to health care to public pensions, it seems like the answer to every problem—for some—is always more spending. But where does that money come from? And why doesn’t…
Media
Read More: Video: There’s No Magic Money TreeHealth Care
Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?
Four years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, few think healthcare is more affordable. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising, a new wave of Pennsylvanians are losing their…
Media
Read More: Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?Taxes & Economy
How Would Tom Wolf’s Tax Plan Impact You?
Yesterday, we released an analysis of the impact of Tom Wolf’s education spending and tax proposals, finding Pennsylvania’s income tax rate would have to increase by more than…
Media
Read More: How Would Tom Wolf’s Tax Plan Impact You?Health Care
Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear
Need to see a dermatologist in Philadelphia? If you are on Medicaid you’ll have to wait a staggering 49 days, according to recent Merritt Hawkins survey. This is no…
Media
Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to BearEducation
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 Needed