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

State Budget

Pushback Against Devastating E-Cig Tax Continues

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 9, 2016

Backlash over the punitive 40 percent wholesale e-cigarette tax continues. Yesterday, CF Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle discussed its devastating impacts with WILK-FM's L.A. Tarone. Stelle explained how this…

Media

Regulation

How Tax Hikes Ruined Scottie’s Dream

• August 8, 2016

Scottie Freeman wants to serve his community. He opened a vapor shop in a depressed part of Erie and planned to use the shop’s proceeds to open up an ice…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 Shops, 1,500 Jobs

• August 8, 2016

Punitive e-Cigarette Tax Could Ax 300 shops, 1,500 Jobs Bill Would Reverse 40-Percent Retroactive Tax Poised to Crush Pa. Small Businesses August 8, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Chris Hughes…

Press Release

State Budget

5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 4, 2016

The 2016-17 budget has passed, yet it remains unbalanced, relying on borrowing money and yet-to-be-passed legislation. Many revenue estimates are overly optimistic. Without efforts to reduce spending or reform cost drivers like pensions…

Media

Education

Education Choice Benefits All

• Nathan Benefield
• August 3, 2016

Private school choice programs benefit students, public schools, and taxpayers, according to new report from EdChoice. The report, the fourth edition of A Win-Win Solution: The Empirical Evidence on…

Media

Regulation

Government Favoritism Hurts Honest Businesses

• August 2, 2016

Buried in a little debated 267-page tax code bill is a provision emblematic of Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture. The provision directs hotel tax revenue generated inside a Neighborhood…

Media

Regulation

Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the Worse

• August 2, 2016

Government’s heavy hand can cause immense harm. Dori Odosso (pictured) and Chris Hughes know this all too well. Both small business owners are concerned about a crushing new tax…

Media

State Budget

Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That

• August 1, 2016

Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That Digital Downloads Tax Takes Effect Today August 1, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvanians who didn’t stock up on iTunes, eBooks, and game apps…

Press Release

Regulation

Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government Overreach

• July 29, 2016

On Wednesday, we shared with you Chris’s fight to save his small business from a devastating tax increase. Regrettably, Chris’s business isn’t the only one threatened by the new…

Media

State Budget

Taxes Threaten Chris’s Livelihood

• July 27, 2016

Chris Hughes has owned Fat Cat Vapor Shop for almost three years. The shop—tucked away in a small Lycoming County borough—specializes in electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), which many people seek as…

Media

Regulation

Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon

• James Paul
• July 26, 2016

Corporate welfare projects and celebratory press releases go together like peanut butter and jelly. For the most recent example in Pennsylvania, see the latest from the governor’s communications office:…

Media

Education

Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?

• James Paul
• July 25, 2016

Let’s talk for a moment about rainy days—specifically, the need to save funds to spend on one. Several school board administrators and lobbyists have taken issue with CF’s searchable,…

Media

Regulation

The Pension Crisis Will Trigger Another Tax Hike

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 25, 2016

The 2016-17 budget is in the books with a $650 million tax increase. That's a significant increase…

Media

Public Union Democracy

DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host City

• July 22, 2016

DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host City Philadelphians Suffering, Fleeing Due to Policies that Hurt Economic Growth July 21, 2016, Philadelphia, Pa.—As all…

Press Release

State Budget

A Budget of Convenience

• July 19, 2016

The dust has settled on the 2016-17 budget debate—at least for the moment. Some people hail the agreement as an example of what Harrisburg can accomplish when two parties work together.

Media