The continued growth in public welfare spending is unsustainable. The federal government is responsible for much of the welfare system, but states can adopt reforms that preserve welfare resources for the most vulnerable. By enacting reforms that promote work and independence, Pennsylvania can right-size state welfare spending and help more Pennsylvanians get back on their feet. Taxpayers deserve a welfare system that compliments a strong economy.

Welfare

Pennsylvania Welfare Fraud Robs the Truly Needy

  • Megan Martin
  • May 12, 2026

Originally published by the Reading Eagle. Welfare fraud is on the rise and is rampant in Pennsylvania. Nationally, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported $186 billion…

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania Welfare Fraud Robs the Truly Needy

Education

Deficit Watch: May 2026

  • May 7, 2026

Background Pennsylvania continues to face serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2025–26 General Fund budget created a $4.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh…

Deficit Watch

Read More: Deficit Watch: May 2026

Taxes & Economy

Affordable Childcare Begins with Cutting Red Tape

  • Edward Timmons, Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 13, 2026

Originally published by TribLive. Child care in Pennsylvania is expensive. Just one child in day care costs about 40% of the median household income of single-parent households…

Media Hit

Read More: Affordable Childcare Begins with Cutting Red Tape

Education

Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2026

Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s unaffordable budget worsens Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. The governor proposes nearly $53.26 billion in general fund spending, a 6.3 percent increase over the 2025–26 enacted budget. He…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal

Education

Governor Shapiro Presents Unaffordable State Budget

  • February 3, 2026

Gov. Josh Shapiro returns to Pennsylvania to pitch spending plan families cannot afford.   Harrisburg, Pa., February 3, 2026 — In a campaign-style speech that doesn’t address the needs of Pennsylvanians, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2026 state budget address, proposing a $3.2  billion spending…

Press Release

Read More: Governor Shapiro Presents Unaffordable State Budget

Education

What Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Prioritize in 2026

  • Megan Martin, Stephen Bloom
  • January 5, 2026

Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania stands at a pivotal moment. Families are stretched thin by higher costs, and employers are weighing whether to invest here or elsewhere. We can’t…

Commentary

Read More: What Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Prioritize in 2026

Education

The Top Five Policy Victories of 2025—and a Look Ahead to 2026

  • December 31, 2025

Pennsylvania saw no shortage of controversies and political battles in 2025, including a four-month-long budget impasse. But this year also saw lawmakers enact several pro-growth policies—from expanding educational choice to…

Blog

Read More: The Top Five Policy Victories of 2025—and a Look Ahead to 2026

Health Care

Fraud is the Legacy of Obamacare, but Affordability Can Be Its Future

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 15, 2025

Originally published by The Pottstown–Mercury. Lorie and Randy Delaney enrolled in an Ohio exchange plan. When they received a $1,096 bill for Rand’s insulin prescription, the couple knew something was…

Media Hit

Read More: Fraud is the Legacy of Obamacare, but Affordability Can Be Its Future

Welfare

Kids Didn’t Vote to be Hungry

  • Jay Stooksberry
  • November 13, 2025

Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Of all the political issues we endure, childhood hunger—I assumed—would somehow rise above the fray. But I was wrong. Somehow,…

Media Hit

Read More: Kids Didn’t Vote to be Hungry

Education

What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 12, 2025

Summary Four months late, Gov. Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers agreed on a state budget deal. The agreement spends $1.4 billion less than Shapiro’s reckless, extreme proposal, and uses excessive…

Backgrounder

Read More: What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 State Budget

Education

New Poll: Inflation, Economy, Taxes, and Crime Top Voter Concerns, Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget Impasse 

  • September 3, 2025

Harrisburg, Pa., September 3, 2025 — Fewer than 4-in-10 Pennsylvania voters believe the state is on the right track, according to new polling released today by the Commonwealth Foundation.

Press Release

Read More: New Poll: Inflation, Economy, Taxes, and Crime Top Voter Concerns, Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget Impasse 

Health Care

Medicaid Myth Busting

  • July 28, 2025

With the recent passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Act” (OBBA), Medicaid has been all over the news lately. Unfortunately, a great deal of misinformation encircles this debate. As Pennsylvania…

Blog

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Health Care

The Myths and Misinformation of Medicaid

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 22, 2025

Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. Gov. Josh Shapiro isn’t pleased with the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). “Pennsylvania got screwed,” he recently told a…

Media Hit

Read More: The Myths and Misinformation of Medicaid

Education

Teacher Unions Limiting Opportunities for Students

  • Common Sense Weekly
  • July 11, 2025

Welcome to the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Follow us on X for the latest updates – and help…

Blog

Read More: Teacher Unions Limiting Opportunities for Students

Education

No More Blank Checks for Broken Systems

  • Andrew Lewis
  • July 1, 2025

Originally published by PennLive. As the deadline looms, Pennsylvania lawmakers are nowhere near reaching an agreement on the state budget. This uncertainty in Harrisburg revolves around…

Media Hit

Read More: No More Blank Checks for Broken Systems

Health Care

How Welfare Reforms in the OBBB Protect Pennsylvanians

  • June 24, 2025

Summary Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps, were intended to help provide health insurance and food for low-income seniors,…

Fact Sheet

Read More: How Welfare Reforms in the OBBB Protect Pennsylvanians