Staff

Education

Wolf’s Cockamamie Concoction

• Nathan Benefield
• April 6, 2016

Matt Brouillette pointed out in his latest commentary that Gov. Wolf  is taking a “lone-wolf” approach to governing. The latest example is his unilateral action to distribute school funding…

Media

Public Union Democracy

8 Labor Reforms to Protect Public Workers and Taxpayers

• April 6, 2016

Pennsylvania's labor laws and practices heavily favor union executives at the expense of public employees and taxpayers. To level the playing field, state lawmakers should work to eliminate the host of…

Memo

Government Accountability

Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

• April 6, 2016

Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government that Works” plan to reform contracting practices and increase transparency in government. Now, the state Legislature has given Wolf…

Media

Government Accountability

Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’?

• April 6, 2016

Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’? Government Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature   April 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government…

Press Release

Matt Brouillette’s Career at Commonwealth Foundation

• April 5, 2016

Matt Brouillette announced his resignation from the Commonwealth Foundation effective June 30, 2016. The CF team wishes him all the best in his new endeavor as we look back…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture

• April 5, 2016

Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture 14-Year Tenure Saw Exponential Growth of State’s Free-Market Think Tank April 5, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After 14 years…

Press Release

Regulation

Wolf’s False Choice

• March 31, 2016

If lawmakers don’t raise taxes, Pennsylvanians should brace for drastic cuts to education and human services. This myth is promoted endlessly by the Wolf Administration to justify taking…

Media

Regulation

Rhetoric vs. Reality

• March 25, 2016

Pennsylvania’s nine-month budget saga has concluded, but not everyone is pleased with the ending. The Philadelphia Inquirer published a caustic editorial criticizing state lawmakers for failing to surrender…

Media

Regulation

Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians

• Catherine Fitzhugh
• March 25, 2016

State employee compensation costs have soared to nearly $93,000 per worker per year, with health care and pensions the largest contributors. Meanwhile, costly EPA mandates on carbon and mercury…

Media

March Madness Union Dues Scam

• March 25, 2016

To flush their political coffer with cash, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF) runs a dues rebate campaign annually. APSCUF designs the rebate campaign by first…

Media

Education

The Final Piece of Budget Business in Limbo

• James Paul
• March 24, 2016

After nine months of gridlock, Gov. Tom Wolf finally surrendered his 2015 quest for higher taxes on families and small businesses. On Monday morning, Pennsylvania will enjoy a completed state…

Media

State Budget

Victory Over Wolf Tax Hikes

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 23, 2016

Pennsylvania's 267 day budget impasse has finally come to an end…with a taxpayer victory! HB 1801 will become law without Tom Wolf's signature. The governor refuses to sign the budget,…

Media

Education

Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law

• March 23, 2016

Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law Gov. Abandons 2015-16 Tax Hikes, Releases Record Funding for Cash-Strapped Schools March 23, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After keeping Pennsylvania in budget…

Press Release

Health Care

Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs

• James Paul
• March 23, 2016

Is it possible to improve health care access while also cutting a costs? Yes—according to a recent study by Edward Timmons of the Mercatus Center. Writing in U.S.

Media

Health Care

6 Reasons Obamacare is a Failure

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 23, 2016

Lower costs? Improved access? Six years later, the Affordable Care Act still falls painfully short of these noble goals. Years after most of the ACA's “goodies” have been implemented,…

Media

Government Accountability

Big Win for Transparency

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 22, 2016

One year ago, Governor Tom Wolf began negotiating contracts worth billions of dollars with state employee unions. Despite his rhetoric about improving government transparency, these negotiations took place behind closed doors.

Media

State Budget

Support for Wolf’s Hostage-Taking Is Breaking

• Nathan Benefield
• March 22, 2016

Last week, Gov. Wolf indicated he plans to fully veto yet another budget. He said if schools face a “short term shutdown,” that could be “a good thing.”  Now, he’s realizing…

Media

Education

Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?

• March 22, 2016

Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding? Districts Nearing Financial Collapse as Governor Threatens Veto March 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nearly one week after the legislature voted to send…

Press Release

Government Accountability

House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency

• March 21, 2016

House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency  Would Lift Veil of Cost Secrecy from Government Union Deals March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed…

Press Release

Health Care

6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary

• March 21, 2016

6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary Problems Persist as Health Care System Flounders March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Lower costs? Improved access? Promises made—and broken—in the…

Press Release

Regulation

PA Faces Another Costly EPA Mandate

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 21, 2016

President Obama’s energy tax—also known as the Clean Power Plan—is just one of many EPA mandates stifling Pennsylvania’s economy.  One mandate in particular imposes enormous costs on Pennsylvania farmers and…

Media