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Education
New Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Bipartisanship in Pa. Budget Process
Harrisburg, Pa., July 2, 2024 — As Gov. Josh Shapiro failed to enact the 2024–25 Pennsylvania budget by the June 30th deadline, voters overwhelmingly support increased bipartisanship in the budget process,…
Read More: New Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Bipartisanship in Pa. Budget Process![teacher union influence](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iStock-2150482568-900x887.jpg)
Public Union Democracy
Teachers’ Unions Influence and the Politics of Education
Read More: Teachers’ Unions Influence and the Politics of Education![shapiro capable of leading](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1244606495-900x692.jpg)
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Education
Analysis: Pa. Gov. Shapiro Struggles to Govern, Resulting in Record Lack of Accomplishment
Read More: Analysis: Pa. Gov. Shapiro Struggles to Govern, Resulting in Record Lack of AccomplishmentGovernment Accountability
Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 Billion
How much is the cost of doing business with Pennsylvania state government unions? For the most recent round of contract negotiations, an additional $1.15 billion over the next four years.
Media
Read More: Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 BillionEducation
Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan
Today, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his plans to alter accountability mechanisms for Pennsylvania's charter schools. However, Gov. Wolf's strategy is not as much about accountability as it is his administration's attempt…
Press Release
Read More: Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability PlanEducation
Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the Feeling
This year has been rough for Pittsburgh sports fans. The Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Penguins made it to the post-season for the 13th…
Media
Read More: Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the FeelingRegulation
Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor
The founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, believed strong liberty of conscience was essential to a flourishing society. But Pennsylvania’s current slough of sin taxes shrug off Penn’s warning. Pennsylvania’s sin…
Media
Read More: Cigarette Taxes Target the PoorEducation
A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”
If there’s one team that has stopped the “City of Champions” from having more Super Bowl championships, it’s the Evil Empire from up north: the New England Patriots. And if…
Media
Read More: A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”Regulation
Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps Taking
Less than a year ago Pennsylvania’s state government offered Amazon billions in tax incentives to bring its HQ-2 location here. Amazon said no. But, when the commerce giant decided to open…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps TakingState Budget
A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a Mistake
In June, when the state legislature passed the budget, they included something extra: a $673 million “supplemental appropriation” to cover overspending in the previous fiscal year. In other words, the Wolf…
Media
Read More: A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a MistakeTaxes & Economy
The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem
In 2012, lawmakers ended a small cash welfare program called General Assistance. Despite all the recent Democratic hubbub, none of the members actually tried to restart the program through the…
Media
Read More: The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty ProblemEducation
Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?
On July 9th, Wyoming Valley West School District in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania took reckless steps in “lunch shaming” hundreds of students and ordering repayment of their student meal debts. …
Media
Read More: Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?Regulation
No More Food Stamps for Millionaires
Leroy Fick won $2 million playing the Michigan lottery. He bought a new home and a costly car, all while collecting taxpayer-funded food stamps. Fick and stories like his…
Media
Read More: No More Food Stamps for MillionairesPublic Union Democracy
Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?
It’s been one year since Janus v. AFSCME overturned 40 years of government labor precedent. Now, public employees who decide not to join their workplace union are no longer forced…
Media
Read More: Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?Education
Students Lose in the “City of Champions”
Pittsburgh Pirates fans recently gathered at PNC Park to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1979 World Series Championship. When it comes to sports, people in the “City of Champions”…
Media
Read More: Students Lose in the “City of Champions”Education
Tax Hoarders Strike Again
Last month Governor Wolf vetoed House Bill 800, which could have opened new educational opportunities to 50,000 low- to middle-income students. The legislation sailed through both chambers and would have…
Media
Read More: Tax Hoarders Strike AgainPublic Union Democracy
Pa. Union Membership Declines Post-Janus
In the year following Janus v. AFSCME, which stopped unions from charging nonmembers “fair share fees,” a central question emerged: how would this ruling impact total union membership? Official reports…
Media
Read More: Pa. Union Membership Declines Post-JanusState Budget
Pennsylvania is NOT Taking Care of Business
Pennsylvania is the 5th worst state to start a business, according to a new study by Wallethub. Only Connecticut, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island fare worse. Then,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania is NOT Taking Care of BusinessEducation
Last Rites for Blaine Amendments?
The election of President John F. Kennedy was a milestone that went a long way in sealing the tomb on anti-Catholic sentiments. With the election of an Irishman from Massachusetts,…
Media
Read More: Last Rites for Blaine Amendments?Taxes & Economy
Tax Data Agrees, Everyone Wins from Tax Reform
Who benefits from tax reform? That question has been a hot topic since the 2017 passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and the answer is everyone. However,…
Media
Read More: Tax Data Agrees, Everyone Wins from Tax ReformRegulation
Government-Run Booze Losing Across the Nation: Will Pa. be Next?
The Supreme Court delivered several high-profile rulings this summer on issues including partisan gerrymandering and the census citizenship question. A lesser-known case, Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association v. Thomas, will also…
Media
Read More: Government-Run Booze Losing Across the Nation: Will Pa. be Next?Education
How to Help Harrisburg Students, Right Now
There’s plenty of fights and rule-breaking going on in Harrisburg School District. But I’m not talking about the kids: it’s the adults who perpetrate this conflict and corruption. Meanwhile, the…
Media
Read More: How to Help Harrisburg Students, Right NowRegulation
Only Six Months in and Pension Reform Is Already Making a Difference
Planting a fruit tree. Saving up for a cruise. Raising kids. Good results take time and patience. That’s definitely been true for pension reform. Passed back in 2017, the impacts…
Media
Read More: Only Six Months in and Pension Reform Is Already Making a DifferenceState Budget
Applause for ‘Mature’ Debt Reform, but More Needed
Good policy isn’t always controversial. House Bill 24, which was signed into law on July 2, caused no floor theatrics, mass tweeting, or activist howls. The bill, proposed by Rep. John Lawrence…
Media
Read More: Applause for ‘Mature’ Debt Reform, but More Needed