State Budget
Has the Wolf Administration Cured Pennsylvania’s Budget Ills?
Secretary of the Budget Randy Albright gave a surprisingly upbeat mid-year budget briefing yesterday. According to the state’s budget office, Pennsylvania’s structural deficit is virtually gone. Yet, reason…
Media
Read More: Has the Wolf Administration Cured Pennsylvania’s Budget Ills?Education
Philly’s School Reform Commission Ends, Questions Abound for Residents & Taxpayers
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission has voted to dissolve itself. The 16-year experiment has been a mixed bag. The school district continues to face tough financial times with a looming…
Media
Read More: Philly’s School Reform Commission Ends, Questions Abound for Residents & TaxpayersEducation
ESA Basics: Understanding this New Lifeline
Children trapped in Pennsylvania's worst-performing schools could soon have new educational opportunities. On Wednesday, Senator John DiSanto (R-Dauphin County) introduced Senate Bill 2, establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Pennsylvania.
Media
Read More: ESA Basics: Understanding this New LifelineHealth Care
Obamacare Creates Another Round of Premium Hikes
Governor Wolf announced exchange insurance premiums will increase by 30 percent next year thanks to President Trump and Congress. The problem is insurance rates have increased every year under…
Media
Read More: Obamacare Creates Another Round of Premium HikesEducation
What to Make of the PSSA Results
Newly released Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores show little to no change in academic achievement across the commonwealth. What do these scores mean? The PSSAs posted on…
Media
Read More: What to Make of the PSSA ResultsRegulation
Tapping Indebted PLCB to Pay Down Debt a Risky Bet
In a press conference yesterday, Gov. Wolf announced a plan to borrow from future PLCB “profits” to pay off last year’s budget deficit. Under the governor’s proposal, the state’s…
Press Release
Read More: Tapping Indebted PLCB to Pay Down Debt a Risky BetRegulation
Gov. Wolf Proposes Using Debt-Ridden Agency to Pay Down Debt
In a press conference yesterday, Gov. Wolf announced a plan to borrow from future PLCB “profits” to pay off last year’s budget deficit. Under the governor’s plan, the state’s…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Proposes Using Debt-Ridden Agency to Pay Down DebtState Budget
Ten Facts About the Shadow Budget
Four tax hikes in eight years have failed to solve Pennsylvania’s budget challenges or grow the economy. In contrast, utilizing 13% of reserve funds in the shadow budget…
Memo
Read More: Ten Facts About the Shadow BudgetState Budget
The Numbers behind the Shadow Budget
Yesterday, a group of House Republicans unveiled a proposal to balance the state budget without borrowing or major tax increases. The crux of the plan relies on the use of $1.3…
Media
Read More: The Numbers behind the Shadow Budget