Research

State Budget

How Do Pennsylvania Taxes Stack Up?

• August 11, 2009

Since 1990, Pennsylvania has gone from 24th in state and local tax burden to 11th. Yet Gov. Rendell has proposed another round of tax hikes—including raising the state…

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Regulation

Pennsylvania’s Flawed Film Tax Credit: What the ERA study won’t tell you

• July 31, 2009

The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee contracted with Economics Research Associates (ERA)1 to analyze Pennsylvania’s Film Tax Credit (FTC). In general, the ERA report, “Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit…

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Taxes & Economy

Electricity Restructuring and Rate Caps

• July 30, 2009

With electricity rate caps expiring, state lawmakers are concerned that Pennsylvanians will see steep increases in their utility bills. What will happen as the electricity deregulation, which is more accurately…

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State Budget

Budget Facts 2009: PA State Budget Overview

• July 8, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state’s General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing spending.

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Regulation

Budget Facts 2009: Cigarette Taxes

• July 3, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state’s General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

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State Budget

Budget Facts 2009: Natural Gas Severance Tax

• July 3, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state’s General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

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State Budget

Budget Facts 2009: Personal Income Tax and Job Losses

• July 3, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state's General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

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Education

Budget Facts 2009: Spending Increases by Department

• June 7, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state’s General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

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Education

Budget Facts 2009: State Education Spending

• June 7, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state’s General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

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Regulation

A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania’s Retiree and Medical Liability Challenges

• Richard Dreyfuss
• April 6, 2009

Pennsylvania maintains over 3,000 public pension plans at the state, city and municipal levels, the most of any state and approximately 25% of all such plans in America. Over 2,200…

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Government Accountability

Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009

• Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
• February 12, 2009

Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009 identifies $5 billion in unhealthy state spending in FY 2008-09 and offers a series of recommendations to both resolve the current revenue shortfall…

Report

Education

High Costs of Higher Education: Reforming How Pennsylvania Taxpayers Finance Colleges and Universities

• December 5, 2008

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader in higher education, touting a publicly supported system that includes community colleges, state, state-related, and state-aided universities. However, as with…

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Education

Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes

• Matthew Brouillette
• November 12, 2008

Originally founded as the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association in 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) has transformed itself from a professional development organization for educators into one of the…

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State Budget

Water and Sewer Ballot Question

• October 27, 2008

When Pennsylvania voters head to the polls on November 4, 2008, they will also be asked to vote "YES" or "NO" on a ballot measure which would allow the state…

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Health Care

Health Care Reform

• October 16, 2008

Reform in health care should follow a few key principles: Give individuals and employers more choices in health care. Give them more freedom in choosing health care options.

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Taxes & Economy

Paying for Our Paving: Why Leasing the Turnpike Makes Good Economic and Public Policy Sense

• September 17, 2008

Introduction How should Pennsylvania pay for its transportation infrastructure, now that the Federal Highway Administration has rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s application to toll Interstate 80? Gas taxes? Vehicle fees? …

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Taxes & Economy

Act 44 & Transportation Funding

• September 4, 2008

In July 2007, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed and Governor Ed Rendell signed Act 44. This legislation authorized the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) to increase tolls on the Turnpike;…

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Education

A Pennsylvania School Report Card

• August 21, 2008

Politicians and school officials frequently point to student performance on state tests as a primary measure of the quality of public education. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the…

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Leasing the Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

• May 23, 2008

Tthe Commonwealth Foundation and the Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation released a policy brief entitled Leasing the Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to help enhance and enlighten the current transportation…

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Health Care

Medicaid Reform: Mending the Holes in Pennsylvanias Health Care Safety Net

• May 8, 2008

Politicians and school officials frequently point to student performance on state tests as a primary measure of the quality of public education. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the…

Report

Education

A Primer on Pennsylvania Cyber Schools

• Nathan Benefield
• April 28, 2008

Executive Summary An increasing number of parents are choosing Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools for their children every year. Between 2001 and 2006, enrollment grew from 1,848 to almost 16,000 students.

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