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Education
VP Josh Shapiro? Ad Spotlights Governor’s Failed Leadership
Harrisburg, Pa., July 22, 2024 — Some political pundits say Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would provide the Democratic presidential ticket a boost in a critical battleground state. That will only be…
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Education
Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice President
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Education
New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic Ineffectiveness
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Education
New TV/Digital Ad Holds Gov. Shapiro Accountable for Turning His Back on Vulnerable Families
Read More: New TV/Digital Ad Holds Gov. Shapiro Accountable for Turning His Back on Vulnerable FamiliesState Budget
Which Taxes Might be Going Up?
Less than one week remains before the state budget deadline, and details are slowly emerging about a $31.5 billion spending plan. This $1.5 billion spending increase would be the largest spending…
Media
Read More: Which Taxes Might be Going Up?Regulation
Sin-sylvania?
According to a new Watchdog.org analysis, Pennsylvania leads in the nation in collections from “sin taxes.” The commonwealth collects more than $2.7 billion annually in taxes on tobacco, alcohol or…
Media
Read More: Sin-sylvania?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further Behind
Pennsylvania's economy isn't looking so hot this summer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports: Pennsylvania lost 23,600 jobs in the last two months (nonfarm, payroll jobs). Over the same…
Media
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Stacked Hybrid Plan Falls Short
Our state's unfunded pension liability climbed 730% in the last ten years; it's at almost $5,000 for every man, woman, and child in the state. How does this affect you? Rick…
Media
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Three Reasons to Avoid Tobacco Taxes
Media reports indicate the state House is formulating a tobacco tax package to raise an estimated $500 million. The proposal reflects Wolf’s original plan to raise cigarette…
Media
Read More: Three Reasons to Avoid Tobacco TaxesState Budget
8 Years of Spending Hikes Crammed into 2?
8 Years of Spending Hikes Crammed into 2? $2.85 Billion Spending Increase Since 2015 Would Tie Previous 8-Year Total June 20, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—In the eight years before…
Press Release
Read More: 8 Years of Spending Hikes Crammed into 2?State Budget
Tax Hikes Coming Soon?
The latest budget rumors indicate legislative leadership and Gov. Wolf are negotiating a budget that would spend at least $31.5 billion and upwards of $32 billion. To put these spending…
Media
Read More: Tax Hikes Coming Soon?State Budget
Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working People
With little time left until the new fiscal year and fewer than two weeks to avoid another budget impasse, informal budget proposals are floating throughout the state Capitol. One proposal…
Media
Read More: Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working PeopleTaxes & Economy
Energy Mandates a Double Whammy
Alternative energy mandates raise the cost of living and make it harder for people to find work. These are the findings of a new paper on the government's futile efforts…
Media
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Is Your School Hoarding Cash? 42% of Districts Hold Questionable Reserves
Is Your School Hoarding Cash? 42% of Pa. Districts Hold Questionable Reserves $4.3 Billion Reserve Funds Questioned As Property Taxes Rise June 16, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The $200 million…
Press Release
Read More: Is Your School Hoarding Cash? 42% of Districts Hold Questionable ReservesPublic Union Democracy
PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension Reform
Pennsylvania's pension problem is nothing new. Over the years, lawmakers have tried to salvage the fundamentally broken system instead of creating a system that works. The latest attempt, SB…
Media
Read More: PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension ReformEducation
School Districts Amass Record Reserve Funds
Is your local school board planning to raise property taxes despite holding millions in reserve funds? For many Pennsylvania school districts, the answer may be “yes.” Check out…
Media
Read More: School Districts Amass Record Reserve FundsRegulation
House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers
House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers Senate Should Enact True Reform That Protects Pennsylvanians June 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The state House today passed a pension bill that promises reform…
Press Release
Read More: House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, UnderdeliversGovernment Accountability
Local School District Leads the Way on Transparency
The Quakertown Community School Board (QCSB) is scrapping a conventional collective bargaining practice. Normally, unions and public employers don’t reveal the details of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) until after…
Media
Read More: Local School District Leads the Way on TransparencyEducation
‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil
‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil District Reserves Reach $4.3 Billion in 2014-15 as Attendance Declines June 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Contradicting the claim that Pennsylvania underfunds…
Press Release
Read More: ‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil
What PA’s New Fair Funding Formula Means for Education
The recently completed 2015-16 state budget includes a fair funding formula which disburses new state education dollars to each school district based on enrollment numbers, the number of students from low-income…
Media
Read More: What PA’s New Fair Funding Formula Means for EducationRegulation
Corporate Welfare: The New Budget Hostage
Gov. Wolf is withholding approval of corporate welfare projects until lawmakers agree to advance his legislative agenda. According to a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story, administration aides told Senate Republicans no…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare: The New Budget HostageRegulation
Latest Plan Could Grow the Pension Iceberg
On the heels of bipartisan wine reform, the PA House is reportedly considering a pension reform plan that could actually increase pension costs. Known as a stacked-hybrid plan, the current bill…
Media
Read More: Latest Plan Could Grow the Pension IcebergRegulation
5 Reasons to Continue the Push for Liquor Privatization
Some lawmakers and the media have labeled the latest liquor reforms as “historic” and “sweeping.” The Patriot-News described the reform as the “most substantial overhaul of Pennsylvania's liquor system…
Media
Read More: 5 Reasons to Continue the Push for Liquor PrivatizationRegulation
Shell Cracker Plant Proves Taxes Matter to Job Creators
Workers hit by the natural gas slump in western PA received some much needed good news this week. Shell announced they will proceed with building a multibillion dollar chemical…
Media
Read More: Shell Cracker Plant Proves Taxes Matter to Job CreatorsRegulation
Wolf’s Wine Signature a First Step Toward Privatization
Wolf’s Wine Signature a First Step Toward Privatization Pitfalls of Government-Run Liquor Remain Unaddressed June 8, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Gov. Wolf’s anticipated signature today on HB 1690, which allows…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Wine Signature a First Step Toward Privatization