Staff

Op-Ed: Financial recovery is as important as ending the lockdown

• Tirzah Duren
• July 20, 2020

The Commonwealth should learn from states like Colorado to ensure financial stability for the state in the future.

Commentary

Education

Parents will be in a tough spot if schools don’t open. Back on Track ESAs can help.

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 20, 2020

Gov. Wolf says he is willing to “pull the plug” on school re-openings if an increase in COVID-19 cases continues. That puts working parents in an especially tough spot.

Commentary

Op-Ed: SCOTUS ends religious discrimination in education funding

• Lenny McAllister, Marc LeBlond
• July 20, 2020

The Espinoza decision has not only reversed the injustice of Montana’s actions against Kendra and her children, but it has begun the necessary process of healing over a century of…

Commentary

How is Gov. Wolf Handling COVID – Terrible

• July 20, 2020

Thanks for voting! We'll send out the results when the poll ends next week. Further thoughts to share? Let us know! We want to hear how you're doing. Wolf Poll…

Media

The Reckoning: Before Privilege, Check Your Results

• Jennifer Stefano
• July 17, 2020

It’s time for action, not photo ops. America is at her best when we forge unity through difficult times. But if we believe every life has value and that all…

Commentary

Energy

Pa. Can Energize Its Energy Sector by Cutting Red Tape—Not with Industry Subsidies

• Gordon Tomb, Tirzah Duren
• July 17, 2020

This week the state legislature passed House Bill 732. The bill—designed to exempt volunteer service providers from a 1 percent realty transfer tax— now offers tax credits to the…

Memo

Education

New Bill Would Give $1,000 to Eligible Families Cover Education Expenses

• Colleen Hroncich
• July 16, 2020

Kids have suffered enough from the coronavirus. Back on Track education scholarship accounts can help stop the losses and put them on a better path.

Commentary

Health Care

Questions for Gov. Wolf

• Nathan Benefield
• July 15, 2020

Gov. Wolf is proposing additional restrictions on businesses across Pennsylvania because of a rise in the number of new COVID cases.  Here is a list of questions for Gov.

Commentary

Education

Myths & Facts: Homeschooling

• Stefanie Mason
• July 15, 2020

While the average kid—or parent—might have rejected the idea of homeschooling just a year ago, COVID-19 could change that sentiment. As face masks, social distancing, rotating schedules, and health risks…

Commentary

Pa. Legislature Looks to Help Families with Education Expenses

• Michael Torres
• July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Members of the Pa. House and Senate have sponsored legislation would create “Back on Track” Education Scholarship Accounts (ESA) to help families afford growing education…

Press Release

Education

What is Hybrid Homeschooling?

• Colleen Hroncich
• July 15, 2020

If you—like many parents—are hesitant to send your kids back to their district school this year, hybrid homeschooling may be a great option to consider. You’ll have far greater flexibility…

Commentary

Education

Honor the Heroes of Liberty: Give Military Families Educational Freedom

• July 4, 2020

Patriotism runs strong in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so it’s no surprise that Pennsylvanians stand united in support for military children. 85 percent of Pennsylvanians support an ESA program…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Pa. Supreme Court Grants Governor Unchecked Emergency Powers

• Charles Mitchell, Michael Torres
• July 1, 2020

July 1, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Pa. Supreme Court ignored the commonwealth’s tradition of checks and balances between branches of government in a ruling on a lawsuit between…

Press Release

Education

Thinking About Homeschooling? Here are 5 Things to Know

• Colleen Hroncich
• June 30, 2020

Homeschool mom and education expert Colleen Hroncich answers the five most frequently asked questions she gets from parents starting—or considering starting—homeschool.   I never wanted to homeschool – what should…

Commentary

Government Accountability

5 Ways Lawmakers can Avert a COVID-19 Lawsuit Frenzy

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 29, 2020

The economy is reopening, but the threat of lawsuits from COIVD-19 exposure is just beginning.

Fact Sheet

Public Union Democracy

Public-Sector Unions Two Years After Janus v. AFSCME

• Jessica Barnett
• June 26, 2020

Two years after Janus freed workers from forced union fees, public sector employees are still fighting for greater protection.

Fact Sheet

Health Care

2020: The year of challenges, can be the year of solutions

• Tirzah Duren
• June 26, 2020

This year started rough and it isn’t slowing down. While some of these tragedies don’t have a policy solution, many do. One such example is COVID-19, telehealth, and ensuring that our…

Commentary

Regulation

Wine Distributors Sue the Liquor Control Board

• Andrew Abramczyk
• June 25, 2020

The PLCB ignored the law for years by refusing to permit direct delivery.  A judge may finally force them.

Commentary

Government Accountability

CF Amicus Brief Calls out Wolf for Overstepping his Authority

• June 25, 2020

Commonwealth Foundation filed an amicus curiae brief in the case of Wolf v. Scarnati et. al.—arguing that the Governor must follow the legislature’s concurrent resolution to end the declaration of…

Testimony

Regulation

Occupational Licensing Reform Passes Unanimously, Goes to Wolf

• Jessica Barnett, Michael Torres
• June 25, 2020

June 25, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Pa. General Assembly unanimously passed SB 637 (Sens. DiSanto and Schwank), a bill that will remove professional licensing employment barriers for roughly 3 million…

Press Release

Criminal Justice Reform

Lawmakers Move Two Key Criminal Justice Reforms

• Jessica Barnett
• June 24, 2020

Pennsylvania General lawmakers moved two key criminal justice reform bills aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s onerous probation system and limiting the excessive burdens of a criminal record.

Memo