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.
State 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 PolicyTaxes & Economy
New Evidence: Taxes Stunt Economic Growth
A recent Mercatus Center study provides new evidence…
Media
Read More: New Evidence: Taxes Stunt Economic GrowthEducation
Taxing Business Won’t Save Students
Paul Battista told a Congressional subcommittee last year: “We can now pay a higher family-sustaining wage! We have people working for us that are the primary breadwinners of their household.”…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing Business Won’t Save StudentsRegulation
Survey: Pennsylvania Unfriendly to Small Business
You’re probably aware that Pennsylvania’s tax burden is among the most oppressive in the country. But the tax code is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes…
Media
Read More: Survey: Pennsylvania Unfriendly to Small BusinessHealth Care
Audio: The Beginning of the End for Obamacare?
This week, a federal court ruling shook the foundations of Obamacare by prohibiting tax credits and subsidies for health insurance policies purchased on the federal exchange. As Elizabeth Stelle…
Media
Read More: Audio: The Beginning of the End for Obamacare?State Budget
House Majority Leader Moves to Reduce Debt Burden
On the heels of Pennsylvania’s bond rating downgrade, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai has declared his intention to ease Pennsylvanians’ debt burden. This represents a necessary step towards restoring Pennsylvania’s…
Media
Read More: House Majority Leader Moves to Reduce Debt BurdenHealth Care
Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA
Back in 2012, many laughed at the idea of challenging Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates by arguing that the law as written allows subsidies for insurance in state exchanges only.
Media
Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PARegulation
Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers
For the third time in two years, a major bond rating agency gave Pennsylvania a downgrade. The most recent downgrade, courtesy of Moody’s, has real implications for taxpayers. Moody’s…
Media
Read More: Downgrade Detrimental to TaxpayersRegulation
Latest Credit Downgrade Hits One-Time Revenues and Pension Inaction
Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 PA’s ‘Growing Structural Imbalance’ Cited in New Credit Downgrade One-Time Revenue Sources and Unfunded Pension Liabilities the Cause Good afternoon, Today, credit rating…
Press Release
Read More: Latest Credit Downgrade Hits One-Time Revenues and Pension InactionRegulation
Budget Shields Taxpayers, but Challenges Remain
A contentious budget season has officially ended after Governor Corbett signed a $29 billion appropriations bill into law. But is it fiscally responsible? And what’s holding up reforms on the…
Commentary
Read More: Budget Shields Taxpayers, but Challenges RemainRegulation
Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle
On Friday, CF President Matt Brouillette joined The David Madeira Show to talk about Pennsylvania’s looming $50 billion public pension crisis and the biggest obstacles to reform: government union leaders.
Media
Read More: Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest ObstaclePublic Union Democracy
Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking Reform
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai took to the podium last week, providing press and spectators his response to the Governor’s criticisms, blue-line budget reductions, and House priorities. We applaud…
Media
Read More: Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking ReformRegulation
Governor Right to Blame Gov. Union Leaders on Pension Reform
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Lawmakers Must Battle Government Union Leaders on Pension Reform Government union leaders cited as primary opposition to tax-saving legislation Good morning, Gov. Corbett’s…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Right to Blame Gov. Union Leaders on Pension ReformRegulation
As Budget Hangs in Balance, Consequences of Pension Inaction Emerge
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Pension Reform Critical to Shield PA’s Public Workers from Cut Detroit Retirees Face Major Losses This Week Due to Inaction on Reform Good…
Press Release
Read More: As Budget Hangs in Balance, Consequences of Pension Inaction Emerge