Media

Education

Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

• Nathan Benefield
• September 7, 2016

APSCUF—the union representing faculty at state-owned universities—has begun a vote to authorize a strike. One of APSCUF's complaints with the proposed contract is higher health care expenses. In…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Podcast: Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites – Meet Pa.’s Tax Code

• September 7, 2016

Did you know Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 taxing authorities? It’s a staggering number that exceeds almost any other state in the nation. Not only does this create confusion and…

Media

Regulation

The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 7, 2016

Pennsylvania's pension debt stands at $63 billion or more than $4,900 per resident. It's a big number to be sure, but what does it mean for the average Pennsylvanian? What does it…

Media

Regulation

Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time

• September 7, 2016

Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time $18 Billion SERS Unfunded Liability Breakdown Shows Urgent Need for Reform September 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers mull major…

Press Release

Government Accountability

Transparency Improves the Collective Bargaining Process

• September 1, 2016

On August 30, Secretary of Administration Sharon Minnich announced the details of a new three-year labor agreement between the Wolf Administration and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal…

Media

Poll Finds Union Leaders Out of Touch

• August 31, 2016

Today, teachers across Pennsylvania are forced to pay for union activities that many don’t support. To many, they feel manipulated by unions that don’t represent their interests or beliefs. The…

Media

Education

Judge: District Exaggerated Shortfall, Improperly Raised Taxes

• James Paul
• August 31, 2016

Lower Merion School District must revoke a portion of its most recent tax hike, according to a Montgomery County court. In his ruling, Judge Joseph A. Smyth said the…

Media

State Budget

Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce Spending

• August 31, 2016

Fiscal responsibility is at a premium across the country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. In June, lawmakers passed a budget that increased spending by $1.6 billion. Weeks later, they passed…

Media

Education

Public Remains Supportive of School Choice

• James Paul
• August 30, 2016

That’s the upshot of the 10th annual public opinion survey from Education Next, which covers a range of topics including school choice, school spending, personnel policy, testing, and accountability.

Media

Education

Pittsburgh-Area Family Punished for Choosing Charter School

• James Paul
• August 29, 2016

Fauna Shaffer Butera, mother of two young boys just miles to the northwest of Pittsburgh, opted to enroll her sons in Young Scholars Charter School. She was shocked to learn of the…

Media

Health Care

Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring Hope

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 29, 2016

Obamacare is struggling for survival. Despite victories in the courts, state exchanges are in trouble, and Medicaid expansion has been more costly than expected—with no evidence of improved health outcomes.

Media

State Budget

Podcast: How Money Walks Out of Pennsylvania

• August 24, 2016

Last year, nearly 42,000 Pennsylvanians left the state to pursue their dreams elsewhere—that's one person every 12 and a half minutes. Why is money walking out of Pennsylvania? That’s…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Welfare to Work Helped Reduce Poverty

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 22, 2016

Twenty years ago President Clinton signed a law creating Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), better known as sweeping welfare reform grounded in work requirements. In 1996, 531,000 adults and…

Media

Education

Understanding Your School District?s Labor Contract

• James Paul, Jessica Barnett
• August 17, 2016

CF reviewed labor contracts in each of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts and uncovered several interesting findings. These contracts, known as collective bargaining agreements, are negotiated behind closed doors between…

Media

Education

The Power of Educational Choice

• James Paul
• August 16, 2016

The story of Malachi Kuhn is a moving example of how lives are changed by educational choice. Malachi’s education savings account (ESA) helped him to literally stand…

Media

Education

Trapped: 5 Ways Union Contracts Trample Teachers’ Rights

• August 16, 2016

Trapped: 5 Ways Union Contracts Trample Teachers’ Rights Forced Unionism, Ghost Teachers Among Ways Contracts Exploit Teachers August 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As students across Pennsylvania head back to…

Press Release

State Budget

More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak Out

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 15, 2016

Amy Crivella was addicted to cigarettes. She tried everything—gum, patches, going cold turkey—but nothing worked. Then, she tried e-cigarettes, or vaping, and she didn’t need a cigarette for the first time…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Poll: Union Leaders Out of Touch, Too Powerful

• August 11, 2016

Poll: Union Leaders Out of Touch, Too Powerful Just 25% of Current or Former Union Members Say Union Leaders Represent Workers Well August 11, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Out of…

Press Release

Education

Making the Most of Education Dollars

• James Paul
• August 11, 2016

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale recently uncovered $2.5 million improperly paid to nine public charter schools. At issue is whether buildings owned by charter schools are eligible for the state's lease…

Media

Government Accountability

Introducing Commonwealth Insight, a Biweekly Podcast

• August 10, 2016

We're excited to announce the launch of Commonwealth Insight, a biweekly podcast where we'll bring you conversations with thought leaders and influencers from around our state and the country.

Media

Commonwealth Foundation Launches Bi-Weekly Podcast

• August 10, 2016

Commonwealth Foundation Launches Bi-Weekly Podcast 'Commonwealth Insight’ to Feature Entrepreneurs, Policy Makers, & Thought Leaders August 10, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Commonwealth Foundation today launched Commonwealth Insight, a bi-weekly podcast…

Press Release