Media

State Budget

Wolf’s Good Cop, Bad Cop Act

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 23, 2015

During 100-plus days of the state budget impasse, Gov. Wolf’s words and actions have been consistently inconsistent, leaving taxpayers and lawmakers confused. Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matt Brouillette noted,…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Audio: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

• Jonathan Reginella
• October 22, 2015

In Pennsylvania, civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement agents to legally seize property without convicting an individual of a crime. These laws turn justice on its head, allowing police…

Media

State Budget

Wolf’s ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop’ Act: Which Governor Will Show up Today?

• October 22, 2015

Wolf’s ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop’ Act: Which Governor Will Show up Today? Contradictory Rhetoric Derailing Budget Progress October 22, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—During 100-plus days of the state budget…

Press Release

Education

Audio: Wolf’s Budget Tactics Harm Students

• Jonathan Reginella
• October 21, 2015

Pennsylvania is home to several innovative education programs, including the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which provides a path to a great education for low income students. CF’s James…

Media

Government Accountability

Three Reforms that Transcend Party Lines

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 21, 2015

Budget gridlock is hamstringing Harrisburg, but when it comes to transparency and accountability, a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians support three key reforms. Paycheck protection, transparency in government union contract negotiations,…

Media

Education

Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the Future

• Nathan Benefield
• October 21, 2015

As 1980s movie buffs know, today—Oct 21, 2015—is the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled forward in time in the Back to the Future films. Back to the Future predicted…

Media

Education

Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School

• October 20, 2015

Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School Ends Abuse of Union Work on School Time in Pittsburgh & Phila.    October 20, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With Halloween quickly…

Press Release

Government Accountability

The Last to Know

• October 20, 2015

Last week the Crestwood Area School Board tentatively agreed to a new contract with the school district’s local union leadership. In keeping with the prevailing trend across the…

Media

State Budget

Moody’s to Pennsylvania: You’re So Negative

• October 19, 2015

The budget impasse is creating more problems for Pennsylvanians with each passing day—already costing taxpayers at least $11 million. Gov. Wolf has been using…

Media

Education

Wolf Claims More Student Hostages

• Nathan Benefield
• October 16, 2015

Earlier this week, The Neighborhood Academy, a private school in Pittsburgh, held a rally in the state Capitol to highlight Gov. Wolf’s withholding tax credits for student scholarships. Pennsylvania’s Educational…

Media

State Budget

Audio: Gov. Wolf Goes Down Swinging

• Jonathan Reginella
• October 15, 2015

Last week, Gov. Wolf struck out after his third attempt to enact massive tax hikes was voted down in a bipartisan effort by the House of Representatives­. CF’s…

Media

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Deserve a Debate

• October 14, 2015

A dispute in the Scranton School District over the cost of a teachers’ contract is another example of why the collective bargaining process must become more transparent. According to the…

Media

Public Union Democracy

State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection

• October 14, 2015

Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection Two-Thirds of Likely Voters Want to End Gov. Union Political Privilege October 14, 2015, HARRISBURG,…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

Paycheck Protection Passes Senate

• Nathan Benefield
• October 14, 2015

Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed paycheck protection (SB 501) by a 26-23 vote. The bill will now move to the House. You can view the roll call vote…

Media

Regulation

Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax Hikes

• October 13, 2015

“I’m not taking anything off the table” said Gov. Wolf shortly after his tax plan was resoundingly defeated in the House last week. The governor’s refusal to abandon…

Media

Government Accountability

Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms

• October 13, 2015

Poll: Large Majorities in PA Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms Paycheck Protection, Contract Transparency, Spending Limits Get High Marks October 13, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Critical transparency and accountability measures…

Press Release

Speak Out Against Pennsylvania Tax Hikes

• October 10, 2015

Budget 2015 Digital Ads Email Form…

Media

Regulation

Pennsylvania’s Public Pension Crisis Grows

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 8, 2015

When you assume an investment return rate of 7.5 percent and your actual returns are 3.04 percent you have a problem. If you are the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System you…

Media

State Budget

Great Win for Taxpayers in the Budget Battle

• Matthew Brouillette
• October 7, 2015

Today, the Wolf tax hike was resoundingly defeated in the state House (73-127). Repeatedly, Gov. Wolf has failed to convince lawmakers—including those of his own party—to impose his massive hikes…

Media

State Budget

Wolf’s Tax Hikes: 3 Strikes and You’re Out!

• October 7, 2015

Wolf’s Tax Hikes: 3 Strikes and You’re Out! Time to Abandon Tax-Hike Obsession    October 7, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—This spring, Governor Wolf swung for the fences with a…

Press Release

State Budget

Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Tax Hike Vote

• Jonathan Reginella
• October 7, 2015

Today, lawmakers will vote on Gov. Wolf’s third proposal for a tax increase. This “third time’s a charm” scheme reveals that Gov. Wolf has acknowledged…

Media