Media

State Rep. Stephen Bloom to Join Commonwealth Foundation as Vice President

• July 17, 2018

July 17, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the Commonwealth Foundation is pleased to announce that state Rep. Stephen Bloom will join the organization as vice president in December after his term’s conclusion.

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

More States Reject Prevailing Wage Mandates

• July 16, 2018

Last month, Michigan took a step forward and joined 24 other states that have no prevailing wage law. Could Pennsylvania be the next? For far too long, Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage…

Media

Education

Statement on 2018 AFT Convention

• July 15, 2018

Commonwealth Foundation VP and COO Nathan Benefield issued the following statement regarding the American Federation of Teachers convention taking place in Pittsburgh this weekend. The convention’s keynote speakers on Friday,…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

Protect the Right to a Union Secret Ballot Election

• Jessica Barnett
• July 13, 2018

In Janus v. AFSCME, the Supreme Court stopped the unjust arrangement of forcing public sector workers to fund the political stances of a union they didn’t join. Instead of embracing…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Gov. Wolf’s Overtime Rule Will Backfire

• July 12, 2018

Gov. Wolf’s progressive policy agenda is threatening to make it more difficult to hire and retain workers. Earlier this year, the governor proposed increasing the overtime salary threshold from…

Media

Government Accountability

Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?

• July 11, 2018

Separating taxpayer resources from private or political purposes is a principle ingrained in our society. It's one of the many reasons Pennsylvania politicians have spent a significant amount of time…

Media

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare Accessibility

• July 11, 2018

Recent debates over health care reform in Washington have centered around reorganizing insurance markets, but improving America’s health care system requires a more comprehensive approach. And states can lead the…

Media

Education

A New Push for Student-Based Ed Funding?

• Marc LeBlond
• July 9, 2018

Despite a history of one-note rhetoric about underfunded schools—and thus pushing for more spending and higher taxes—recent comments indicate Governor Wolf may be open to more nuanced education solutions. In…

Media

Education

School Choice Momentum in Pennsylvania

• Colleen Hroncich
• July 5, 2018

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program established Pennsylvania as a school choice leader when it was introduced in 2001. The program helps thousands of students, but it hasn’t kept…

Media

Education

What does Janus mean for school choice?

• Colleen Hroncich
• July 1, 2018

On June 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling in Janus v. AFSCME. The 5-4 decision found that forcing public sector workers to pay union fees—or lose their jobs—violates their…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Bipartisan Support for a Second Chance

• June 28, 2018

We all deserve a second chance. This is the core principle underlying “clean slate” legislation, which the legislature overwhelmingly approved last week. The measure, House Bill 1419, sponsored by…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Janus v. AFSCME: SCOTUS Upholds Workers’ Rights

• Jessica Barnett
• June 27, 2018

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld workers’ rights. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that forcing public sector workers to pay union fees—or lose their…

Media

Public Union Democracy

SCOTUS Champions Worker Freedom in Historic Decision

• June 27, 2018

June 27, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa. — For decades, government workers in Pennsylvania and other forced-union states have faced an unjust workplace ultimatum: Pay a union, or lose your job. But with today’s…

Press Release

Health Care

Hidden Human Services Spending

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 27, 2018

What’s the main driver of spending in Harrisburg? It’s not education. The main driver of costs is the Department of Human Services, which includes Medicaid, child services, nursing home care…

Media

State Budget

State Budget 2018: Policy Victories & Missed Opportunities

• June 26, 2018

With a signed state budget, it’s time to review the policy victories and missed opportunities that define the 2018-19 spending package. Victories Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) expansion: Lawmakers approved…

Media

Education

Students Win Big with Tax Credit Scholarship Boost

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2018

The recently enacted state budget includes a $25 million increase in the successful and popular Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. This increase is tremendous for families—given that…

Media

Education

Impact of ESAs Under HB 2228

• Colleen Hroncich
• June 26, 2018

Education is not one-size-fits-all. For children with special needs, this is particularly true. Ann and Tony Zanca of Florida know this first hand. Their 14-year-old son Ben has dealt…

Media

Regulation

Gov. Moves to Eliminate Handful of Occupational Licenses

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 22, 2018

Sally Ladd earned a living managing vacation rental properties in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Her clients gladly pay Sally to manage their listings, but that livelihood was threatened when the…

Media

Education

Every Child Deserves the Opportunity to Succeed

• June 21, 2018

The Ben Franklin Bridge is all that separates Pennsylvania students from Camden, New Jersey, where families choose from a diverse menu of schools. In 1999, New Jersey enacted the…

Media

Education

House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes

• June 20, 2018

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote (188-10). The legislation, House Bill 2121, avoids tax increases and pulls back from…

Press Release

State Budget

Six Things to Know About Pa. House Budget

• June 19, 2018

The state budget is on the move. Earlier today the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan to the full House for its consideration. The…

Media