Government Accountability

A Transparent Win for Taxpayers

  • May 6, 2015

Today the Senate took a significant step to make state government more transparent and accountable by approving SB 644 and SB 645. Here’s a brief description of the…

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State Budget

Natural Gas Severance Tax: An Economy Killer

  • Gordon Tomb
  • May 6, 2015

From labor unions to local chambers of commerce, community leaders are expressing a lot of anxiety over Governor Wolf’s natural gas severance tax proposal. The proposed tax “is a Wyoming…

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Government Accountability

State Senate Passes Financial Transparency Bills

  • May 6, 2015

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact:717-671-1901 State Senate Passes Financial Transparency Bills Lets Public in on Secret Government Union Talks Worth Billions of Dollars May 6,…

Press Release

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State Budget

30,000 Jobs that Won’t Pay

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2015

Gov. Wolf’s tax plan would result in 30,000 jobs not created next year, according to a new analysis we released yesterday. Using the STAMP model, developed by…

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Education

Important Education Bills Advance in House

  • James Paul
  • May 4, 2015

In a promising move for Pennsylvania students, the House Education Committee passed two important bills today that will keep effective teachers in the classroom and expand educational options.  HB 805,…

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Taxes & Economy

Study: 30,000 Jobs That Won’t Pay Under Wolf’s Budget

  • May 4, 2015

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Study: 30,000 Jobs That Won’t Pay Under Wolf’s Budget Job-Seekers Better Off If Wolf Did Nothing May 4, 2015, HARRISBURG,…

Press Release

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Education

Wolf’s Education Agenda Discourages Choice

  • James Paul
  • May 1, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf has wasted little time staking out his vision for public education, and it doesn’t appear to have much room for school choice. In a recent…

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State Budget

The Next 1,360 Days

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 30, 2015

Governor Wolf marked his 100th day in office by providing a list of accomplishments. In reality, the memo is more of a status update since many of his initiatives, including…

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Health Care

Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to Independence

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 29, 2015

This week marks the beginning of Pennsylvania’s transition from Healthy PA to full Medicaid expansion. Over 100,000 beneficiaries were transferred to the traditional one-size-fits-all healthcare plan known for limited…

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State Budget

Economic Freedom Trumps Identity Politics

  • Brittney Parker
  • April 29, 2015

Imagine a little girl and her young mother sitting on a porch on 19th Street in Harrisburg. The child smiles happily, but the mother looks tired—she’s working second shift and…

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Public Union Democracy

Teachers Inspire New Legislation

  • Brittney Parker
  • April 28, 2015

No one should be forced to fund political activity that they don’t support. Jane Ladley, a teacher in Chester County, didn’t want her dues money being spent on partisan political…

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Teachers Stand Up and Inspire New Legislation

  • Brittney Parker
  • April 28, 2015

No one should be forced to fund political activity that they don’t support. Jane Ladley, a teacher in Chester County, didn’t want her dues money being spent on partisan political…

Media

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Who to Believe on Wolf Tax Increase?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 27, 2015

Friday, we pointed out a new Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) study that shows every income group will pay more in net taxes under Gov. Wolf’s proposed budget. In…

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians Are Working Longer for the Government

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 27, 2015

Last Saturday Pennsylvanians passed an important milestone: Tax Freedom Day. This is the day Pennsylvanians earn enough dollars to pay off their federal, state and local tax bills for 2015. …

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