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.
Regulation
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
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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
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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 EmergeState Budget
Five Facts About the 2014 State Budget
On June 30, the General Assembly passed a $29.1 billion budget, sending it to Gov. Corbett for his approval. While Gov. Corbett is taking time to review…
Media
Read More: Five Facts About the 2014 State BudgetRegulation
Pension Reform Roadblock: Gov. Union Executives
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Government Union Executives Again Stand in the Way of Reform Pension Bill Stalls in House Despite Looming Crisis July 1,…
Press Release
Read More: Pension Reform Roadblock: Gov. Union ExecutivesPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Unions Block Pension Reform
Lawmakers may have agreed on a no-new-taxes budget, but the cost drivers behind this year’s budget shortfall and Pennsylvania’s annual budget crisis remain unchanged. Chief among those cost drivers is…
Media
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House Plan a Positive Step in Budget Negotiations
House Plan a Positive Step in Budget Negotiations Proposes Modest Spending Increase and Avoids Pitfalls Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced a no-tax-increase budget bill. Crucially, this bill…
Press Release
Read More: House Plan a Positive Step in Budget NegotiationsState Budget
House Budget Holds the Line on Taxes
Yesterday, the PA House of Representatives advanced a $29.1 billion spending bill. This bill could be voted on by the full House today. There is much to like in this…
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Read More: House Budget Holds the Line on TaxesRegulation
5 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Increasing Taxes
State spending is at an all-time high, but calls for even more spending persist, despite Pennsylvania’s precarious fiscal situation. Pennsylvania doesn’t need more government spending to improve the…
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Read More: 5 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Increasing TaxesState Budget
Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget Crisis
Pennsylvania has a prioritization problem. Recent controversies about the State Racing Fund and the legislature’s reserve fund provide two examples of why Pennsylvania consistently wrestles with budget crises. Auditor General…
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Read More: Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget CrisisState Budget
Can Taxpayers Weather the Budget Storm?
For the seventh consecutive year, Pennsylvania state government is projected to spend more money than it collects in taxes. Facing a deficit of nearly $1.3 billion, families may be asked…
Commentary
Read More: Can Taxpayers Weather the Budget Storm?Public Union Democracy
Triple Threat Pension Debt
At more than $50 billion in debt our pension plans for state and school workers are among the worst funded in the country. Without reform, Pennsylvanians face cuts to services, teacher layoffs, higher…
Poll
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RCAP and Corporate Welfare Hurt Pennsylvanians
What would you do if the government spent your tax dollars on a project that could bankrupt your business? Would you fight back by pointing out the injustice? Hopefully you’re…
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Read More: RCAP and Corporate Welfare Hurt PennsylvaniansHealth Care
There’s No Such Thing as a Temporary Expansion
Last week, the House Health and Human Services Committee advanced HB 1492 to accept the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion. This move would shift the purpose of Medicaid from caring for vulnerable…
Media
Read More: There’s No Such Thing as a Temporary ExpansionPublic Union Democracy
The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax Hike
In 2012, Americans paid more in taxes than they did for food, clothing and shelter combined. In Pennsylvania, residents labor under the 10th highest tax burden in the…
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Read More: The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax HikeHealth Care
My Obamacare Agony
I thought I was lucky. The last day to sign up for Obamacare had arrived, and I’d managed to purchase a plan on the national Obamacare exchange. I was just…
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Read More: My Obamacare AgonyTaxes & Economy
Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?
Should individuals be able to spend their welfare benefits on liquor, tobacco, gambling or strippers? Currently, they can. House Bill 907 would codify Department of Welfare electronic benefit card…
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Read More: Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?Education
Pension Reform Benefits Teachers & Taxpayers
Standard & Poor’s recently issued a stern warning that they would lower Pennsylvania’s bond rating—making it more expensive for the state to borrow money—unless they “adopt meaningful pension reform.” This…
Commentary
Read More: Pension Reform Benefits Teachers & TaxpayersRegulation
Use School Reserves to Fund Pensions
In 2013, Pennsylvania school districts increased their reserve funds by $445 million—to a total approaching $4 billion as of June 30, 2013—according to the latest data from…
Media
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Pension Study: PA’s Economy Can Still Be Saved
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 It’s Not Too Late to Save PA’s Economy Pension Reform: Learning from Others May 27, 2014, Harrisburg, Pa. – Pennsylvania…
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