The state government is ultimately held accountable to the people through the electoral process—but that should not be the only line of defense against government overreach or waste. Taxpayers deserve a transparent government that works for them. Reforms are needed to reduce corruption and limit the scope of government to its constitutional authority. Additionally, reforms that ensure a transparent budgeting process, a fair electoral process, and a streamlined regulatory process should be pursued to increase the government’s integrity.

Government Accountability

The Second Annual “Shapiro Self-Promotion Madness”

  • March 24, 2026

April 6, 2026 And the winner is… “Sweet Ride”! This is the LAST ROUND of @GovernorShapiro’s Self-Promotion Madness!Now is your final chance to vote for…

Blog

Read More: The Second Annual “Shapiro Self-Promotion Madness”

Education

[MEDIA] Andrew Lewis on ‘Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words’

  • Andrew Lewis
  • March 5, 2026

Pennsylvania’s Policy Battles: Energy Independence, School Choice, and America 250 Andrew Lewis, President & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, joins “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” to discuss why…

Media Hit

Read More: [MEDIA] Andrew Lewis on ‘Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words’

Government Accountability

Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Vanity Tour Rages On

  • March 2, 2026

Recent reporting exposed the Shapiro administration’s reliance on artificial intelligence to write its newly released Housing Action Plan. And it’s no wonder Shapiro has outsourced his…

Blog

Read More: Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Vanity Tour Rages On

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

Government Accountability

All Eyes Are on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

  • Megan Martin
  • November 19, 2025

Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Integrity is doing the right thing—even if nobody is watching. However, after this month’s election, it’s clear that Pennsylvanians are watching. Our…

Media Hit

Read More: All Eyes Are on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Government Accountability

Pennsylvanians Blame Governor Shapiro for Budget Impasse, New Polling Finds

  • September 5, 2025

Pennsylvanians aren’t pleased with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s performance with this year’s state budget, according to a recently released poll. Moreover, Keystone State residents are increasingly concerned about the future of…

Blog

Read More: Pennsylvanians Blame Governor Shapiro for Budget Impasse, New Polling Finds

Government Accountability

SEPTA’s Manufactured Crisis Has Delayed State Budget Long Enough

  • August 22, 2025

Harrisburg, Pa., August 22, 2025 — This Sunday, after eight consecutive weeks of public fearmongering, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will enact self-imposed service cuts. Though completely avoidable, these…

Press Release

Read More: SEPTA’s Manufactured Crisis Has Delayed State Budget Long Enough

Government Accountability

Shapiro’s Shadow Campaign: Taxpayer Funds Power National PR Machine

  • Erik Telford
  • August 18, 2025

Originally published by RealClearPolitics. As speculation around his presidential ambitions swirls, make no mistake: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is already campaigning. And his national shadow…

Media Hit

Read More: Shapiro’s Shadow Campaign: Taxpayer Funds Power National PR Machine

Government Accountability

Myth-Busting SEPTA

  • August 15, 2025

For the Pennsylvania state budget, mass transit funding is all the rage these days—literally. The primary debate in Harrisburg revolves around the question of whether to send more state dollars…

Blog

Read More: Myth-Busting SEPTA

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

Government Accountability

A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible

  • Andrew Holman, Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2025

Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…

Media Hit

Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible

Government Accountability

Another Day, Another Union Data Breach

  • Andrew Holman
  • April 14, 2025

Less than a month after the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) revealed it was the victim of a ransomware attack, yet another union has fallen victim to a cyberattack.

Blog

Read More: Another Day, Another Union Data Breach

Government Accountability

12 Reasons Why We Shouldn’t Bail Out SEPTA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 11, 2025

As Commonwealth Foundation outlined in our “Mass Transit Bailout” fact sheet, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and other mass transit agencies should not rely…

Blog

Read More: 12 Reasons Why We Shouldn’t Bail Out SEPTA

Government Accountability

Josh Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Self-Promotional Horror Show

  • Erik Telford
  • April 1, 2025

Originally published by The Washington Times. National Democrats are embarrassing themselves on social media. Look no further than the awkward lip-syncing and “Mortal Kombat” spoofs…

Media Hit

Read More: Josh Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Self-Promotional Horror Show

Government Accountability

Unions are failing to protect the privacy of members from hackers

  • David Osborne
  • March 31, 2025

Originally published by Penn Live. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently sued the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) over concerns about Elon Musk’s crew gaining…

Media Hit

Read More: Unions are failing to protect the privacy of members from hackers

Government Accountability

Independent Fiscal Office Shows Shapiro’s Budget Will Deepen the Deficit

  • February 12, 2025

IFO’s new Long-Term Budget Outlook Update illustrates Pennsylvania’s economic peril in light of Governor Shapiro’s 2025 budget proposal. Harrisburg, Pa., February 11, 2025 — Today, Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office…

Press Release

Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Shows Shapiro’s Budget Will Deepen the Deficit