Education

Pennsylvania’s Opportunity Gap

  • Marc LeBlond
  • October 22, 2018

As highlighted in a recent CF report, 50 percent of student tax credit scholarship applications since 2012 have been denied due to program limits. “In 2016-17 alone, almost…

Media

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Health Care

Wolf Vetoes Opportunity for Healthy Adults to Escape Poverty

  • October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Late this afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed HB 2138, a bold anti-poverty bill aimed at helping Pennsylvanians achieve independence. The legislation would have incentivized healthy,…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Outshines Solar, Blows Past Wind

  • Gordon Tomb
  • October 19, 2018

Natural gas is by far the best the most efficient way to produce electricity, according to a recent report by the Manhattan Institute. The report indicates that dollar-for-dollar,…

Media

Read More: Natural Gas Outshines Solar, Blows Past Wind

Public Union Democracy

Labor Unrest…From Union Employees

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 19, 2018

Imagine: you are a hard-working custodian who scrubs bathrooms and vacuums hallways for a company you’ve always respected. It’s an honest job, and when the company tells you it values…

Media

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Education

The Need for Charter Schools

  • October 18, 2018

For 133,000 children across Pennsylvania, charter schools do more than provide an education. Charter schools provide an alternative for kids whose needs aren't met in district schools—they…

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

A Victory for Fairness and Work

  • October 18, 2018

The General Assembly overwhelming passed House Bill 163 last night—an important win for people who believe in fair punishments and work as a means to independence. The legislation,…

Media

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Health Care

Pa. Legislature Sends Landmark Anti-Poverty Reform to Gov. Wolf

  • October 18, 2018

October 17, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the Pennsylvania Legislature sent a landmark anti-poverty bill to Governor Wolf’s desk. HB 2138 will help healthy, childless adults enrolled in Medicaid move from…

Press Release

Read More: Pa. Legislature Sends Landmark Anti-Poverty Reform to Gov. Wolf

Regulation

Corporate Welfare: A Bad Deal for Pennsylvanians

  • October 17, 2018

Hanover company WNS closed its doors for good at the end of September, putting 107 men and women out of work. This news comes just two years after Governor…

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania’s Financial Condition? Critical

  • October 16, 2018

Despite what you may have heard, Pennsylvania’s fiscal troubles haven’t disappeared. The recent state budget did not address the commonwealth’s short- or long-term financial challenges. It merely papered over them.

Media

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Welfare

Welfare Reform is On the Cusp

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 16, 2018

Major welfare reform is nearing the governor’s desk. Three bills, two in the Senate and one in House, contain significant improvements to our human service programs. SB 6 protects…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Crucial Janus Legislation Deferred

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 12, 2018

To enact important reforms before the end of legislative session, Pennsylvania lawmakers must run bills on a tight schedule. Unfortunately, on Wednesday House leadership removed a Janus enforcement bill (HB 2571) from consideration—meaning…

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ Potential

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 11, 2018

Pennsylvania’s poverty rate remains far too high. Employers can’t find workers with technical skills, and the commonwealth continues to lead the northeast in incarcerating our citizens. One organization is…

Media

Read More: Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ Potential

Education

Applying to a Philly Charter School Just Got Easier

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • October 10, 2018

For many families, navigating a mystifying and meandering path through rows and rows of corn stalks has become a favorite fall tradition. Often—especially for the more adventurous kids—getting lost in…

Media

Read More: Applying to a Philly Charter School Just Got Easier

Public Union Democracy

Top 10 Recipients of Government Union PAC Contributions

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 9, 2018

Government unions have spent more than $120 million since 2007 to advance their fiercely partisan and political agenda. As the graphic below shows, Democratic candidates receive the most direct PAC donations from…

Media

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Education

School Choice: Diverse Options for Diverse Families

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • October 9, 2018

The Long and Winding Road. In addition to being a great song by the Beatles, this phrase sums up my family’s educational journey. My children spent time in a local…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Top 5 Reasons to Support HB 2571

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
  • October 9, 2018

HB 2571 is a commonsense reform that benefits public sector workers and aligns Pennsylvania law with the U.S. Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision. Here are five reasons it must…

Media

Read More: Top 5 Reasons to Support HB 2571

Education

Unions and their Impact on Teachers

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • October 5, 2018

Conventional wisdom tells us unions are good for teachers. But is this true? While teachers’ unions have certainly benefited union leadership, rank and file teachers should carefully evaluate the…

Media

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Education

Education Funding Principles

  • Marc LeBlond
  • October 4, 2018

With mid-term elections nearing, both candidates for governor are wrestling with how to create a better education system, including a more equitable funding system. Here are five principles any education…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Tax Climate Remains a Burden

  • October 3, 2018

The commonwealth’s business tax climate is chilling. A report from the Tax Foundation ranks Pennsylvania on a variety of key taxes, putting the state at 34th overall. On corporate income taxes,…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Tax Climate Remains a Burden

Public Union Democracy

Who Benefits from Union Political Spending?

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 3, 2018

From teachers’ strikes to the significant U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, government unions catapulted into the national spotlight this year. Yet union direct political engagement has remained strong for…

Media

Read More: Who Benefits from Union Political Spending?