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Education
U.S. Treasury Releases New Guidelines on Federal Scholarship Program
New guidance answers concerns about the federal program and removes excuses for Gov. Josh Shapiro’s indecision. Harrisburg, Pa., June 11, 2026 — Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released new guidance regarding the federal scholarship tax credit program, which passed into…
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State Budget
Corporate Hand-outs Cost Billions, Yield Minimum Return
Read More: Corporate Hand-outs Cost Billions, Yield Minimum Return
State Budget
New Report: Less than 1% of Pa. Workers Earn Minimum Wage
Read More: New Report: Less than 1% of Pa. Workers Earn Minimum Wage
Education
25 Years of Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)
Read More: 25 Years of Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)Education
Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement Declines
Harrisburg, Pa., May 11, 2026 — New data reveals funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools spiked to nearly $24,000 per student in the 2024–25 school year. In addition to record-high spending, school districts continue to hoard reserve funds, with an average of $4,649 held for every public-school student. …
Press Release
Read More: Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement DeclinesEducation
NY Governor Moves Toward Federal Scholarship Tax Credit as Shapiro Remains Undecided
Harrisburg, Pa., May 8, 2026 — Yesterday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed her intention to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC). While Hochul has yet to formally submit her opt-in form to the IRS, New York would mark the thirtieth…
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Read More: NY Governor Moves Toward Federal Scholarship Tax Credit as Shapiro Remains UndecidedEnergy
Pennsylvania Lost $5 Billion in Energy Investment and Power Supply Under RGGI
Harrisburg, Pa., May 4, 2026 — Last fall, Pennsylvania lawmakers removed the Keystone State from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) after six years of legal battles. According to new…
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Read More: Pennsylvania Lost $5 Billion in Energy Investment and Power Supply Under RGGIEducation
[MEDIA] Andrew Lewis Addresses Pennsylvania Press Club
Andrew Lewis, President & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, addressed the Pennsylvania Press Club on Monday afternoon. In his speech, Lewis outlined the path forward to make Pennsylvania the leading…
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Read More: [MEDIA] Andrew Lewis Addresses Pennsylvania Press ClubPublic Union Democracy
Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025
Harrisburg, Pa., April 22, 2026 — Despite 2025 being an off-year election, Pennsylvania still saw heavy political spending by unions, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. The…
Press Release
Read More: Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025
Megan Martin Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award as a Leader in Law
Harrisburg, Pa., April 15, 2026 — Central Penn Business Journal has honored Megan Martin, chief operating officer and general counsel of the Commonwealth Foundation, with the Lifetime Achievement Leaders…
Press Release
Read More: Megan Martin Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award as a Leader in LawState Budget
[MEDIA] Megan Martin Talks State Budget on PCN’s ‘Capitol Watch’
In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $53.26 billion budget that will worsen the state’s deficit to over $6.5 billion while failing to address key issues like educational choice and…
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Read More: [MEDIA] Megan Martin Talks State Budget on PCN’s ‘Capitol Watch’State Budget
Childcare Affordability Continues To Plague Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, Pa., March 11, 2026 — Pennsylvania is one of the most overregulated states for childcare. And despite more than $50 million in additional state funding since 2023, too many families continue to find childcare…
Press Release
Read More: Childcare Affordability Continues To Plague PennsylvaniansEducation
[MEDIA] Andrew Lewis on ‘Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words’
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…
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Read More: [MEDIA] Andrew Lewis on ‘Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words’Education
[MEDIA] Nathan Benefield Talks Education Spending on ‘Erie News Now’
Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed record-high education funding in his 2026 budget address. The entire proposal, totaling $53.26 billion, would force a $2,100 tax hike on families of four. Nathan…
Media
Read More: [MEDIA] Nathan Benefield Talks Education Spending on ‘Erie News Now’State Budget
Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis on Governor Shapiro’s 2026 Budget Plan
Harrisburg, Pa., February 4, 2026 —Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026 budget proposal, totaling $53.26 billion, is “completely unaffordable and will cost $2,100 per family of four in looming tax hikes” according to …
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis on Governor Shapiro’s 2026 Budget PlanEducation
Governor Shapiro Presents Unaffordable State Budget
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
Commonwealth Foundation Introduces the Pennsylvania Judicial Scorecard
Harrisburg, Pa., January 30, 2026 — Since 2020, total appeals in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have risen by more than 50 percent. Increased cases mean more decision-making on…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Introduces the Pennsylvania Judicial ScorecardState Budget
National Rankings Reveal Pennsylvania’s Subpar Economy
A video companion of this press release for broadcast use is available here. Harrisburg, Pa., January 28, 2026 — Recent comments about Pennsylvania have left pundits asking, “Is the commonwealth’s economy ‘mediocre’?” According…
Press Release
Read More: National Rankings Reveal Pennsylvania’s Subpar EconomyPublic Union Democracy
David Osborne Joins The Guy Benson Show on Fox News Radio
Government unions spent over $900 million in political spending in the 2024 election cycle, funded almost entirely by members’ dues. David Osborne, Sr. Director of Labor Policy at the Commonwealth…
Media Hit
Read More: David Osborne Joins The Guy Benson Show on Fox News Radio
Commonwealth Foundation Ranks as One of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 2025 — Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business have named Commonwealth Foundation as one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth Foundation…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Ranks as One of the Best Places to Work in PennsylvaniaEducation
Public School Districts Leave Special-Needs Students, Families with Few Options
Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 2025 — Traditional public schools leave students with disabilities on months- or years-long wait lists for compliance with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. If a public school district fails to meet the…
Press Release
Read More: Public School Districts Leave Special-Needs Students, Families with Few OptionsPublic Union Democracy
Union Political Spending Heavily Targeted Pennsylvania during 2024 Election
Harrisburg, Pa., December 8, 2025 — Government unions steered $12.8 million to influence elections in Pennsylvania during the 2023-24 election cycle. Pennsylvania was the 5th highest recipient of union dollars,…
Press Release
Read More: Union Political Spending Heavily Targeted Pennsylvania during 2024 ElectionPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions Spent $915 Million on Politics in 2024
Harrisburg, Pa., December 8, 2025 — Four of the largest national government unions combined to spend more than $915 million on political and ideological causes in the 2023-24 election cycle.
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Read More: Government Unions Spent $915 Million on Politics in 2024Education
Despite Shapiro’s Failed Leadership, 2025-26 Budget Secures Key Permitting Wins, Ends Threat of RGGI
Harrisburg, Pa., November 12, 2025 — Despite Gov. Josh Shapiro’s failed leadership and a 135-day stalemate, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a compromise budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The Commonwealth Foundation has released…
Press Release
Read More: Despite Shapiro’s Failed Leadership, 2025-26 Budget Secures Key Permitting Wins, Ends Threat of RGGIEnergy
New Report: Shapiro’s ‘Get Sh*t Done’ Slogan Doesn’t Match His Record
Gov. Josh Shapiro remains Pennsylvania’s least legislatively productive governor in the past 50 years. Harrisburg, Pa., November 10, 2025 — As presidential ambitions of Pennsylvania’s 48th governor become increasingly…
Press Release
Read More: New Report: Shapiro’s ‘Get Sh*t Done’ Slogan Doesn’t Match His Record