Staff

State Budget

Wolf Will Veto Prison Funding, Send the Money Anyway

• Nathan Benefield
• February 12, 2016

In a bizarre news twist, Gov. Tom Wolf is threatening to veto a bill because…well, reasons. According to the AP: Democratic Governor Tom Wolf says he will veto…

Media

State Budget

Deficit Hypocrisy

• February 11, 2016

Much has been made of the state’s structural deficit, which amounts to about 3 percent of Pennsylvania's total operating budget. Unfortunately, Gov. Wolf can't envision a scenario in which government adopts reforms…

Media

State Budget

True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per Worker

• February 11, 2016

True Cost of Wolf’s Budget: Nearly $14,000 Per Worker Total Operating Budget to Reach $80 Billion for First Time February 11, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Did you know the state…

Press Release

State Budget

Five Facts about Wolf’s Second Budget Proposal

• Nathan Benefield
• February 9, 2016

More of the same Wolf’s proposed budget mirrors what he offered—and lawmakers repeatedly rejected—last year: Massive tax hikes and record spending increases. It’s no surprise Wolf didn’t want to…

Media

Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years

• February 9, 2016

Today, Gov. Tom Wolf doubled down on his tax-and-spend agenda, proposing a $3 billion spending increase—a 10 percent bump, the largest in 25 years—requiring broad-based tax increases of $850 per…

Commentary

Education

Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years

• February 9, 2016

Wolf Doubles Down: Highest Spending Increase in 25 Years Slaps Pennsylvanians with $850 per Family of Four Tax Increase February 9, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, Gov. Tom Wolf doubled…

Press Release

Education

Pennsylvania Education Spending Trends

• James Paul
• February 8, 2016

Pennsylvania school districts spent $26.1 billion in 2013-14, an all-time high, according to the latest data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This represents a $600 million increase from 2012-13.

Memo

State Budget

A Brief History of Wolf’s Tax Hikes

• Nathan Benefield
• February 8, 2016

In 2015, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed five broad-based tax hikes on working families—each of which was eventually rejected by state lawmakers.  Here's some background on each of Gov. Wolf’s tax…

Memo

Education

Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local Budgets

• February 8, 2016

Pennsylvania taxpayers shoulder the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Consequently, the Keystone State has seen an exodus of working people. Unsustainable growth in…

Memo

Please No More Taxes

• February 8, 2016

Check out our Pennsylvania State Budget page for all the resources you need for the 2017-18 budget season. Tell lawmakers, “please, no more taxes!” by sending your message below.

Media

State Budget

How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?

• February 8, 2016

Pennsylvania currently has the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Yet Gov. Wolf proposed historic tax hikes last year and continues to press for tax increases. Here’s an…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Reversing the Status Quo in Pennsylvania

• Nathan Benefield
• February 8, 2016

Higher government spending and raising taxes—while ignoring key fiscal reforms—is the status quo in Pennsylvania. For 45 years, government spending has steadily risen, increasing by an inflation-adjusted $13,800 per family of four or $3,450…

Memo

Regulation

Who is Wolf Giving Your Tax Dollars To?

• Nathan Benefield
• February 5, 2016

Next week Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil a “new” budget, with all expectations that it will be just like his first proposal—calling for new taxes on working families. In fact, you…

Media

State Budget

Audio: PA Budget Groundhog Day

• Jonathan Reginella
• February 3, 2016

Groundhog Day has come and gone, but Gov. Wolf hasn’t stopped celebrating Punxsutawney Phil’s big day. Paying homage to the theme of the Groundhog Day movie, Wolf has trapped Pennsylvanians in…

Media

Government Accountability

Wolf to Pension Commission: ‘You’re Fired!’

• February 3, 2016

Wolf to Pension Commission: “You’re Fired!” Governor’s Pattern of Eliminating Opposition Defies Claims of Accountability February 3, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The latest casualty of Gov. Tom Wolf’s “my…

Press Release

Education

Groundhog Day: Wolf Demands Millions More for Education

• James Paul
• February 3, 2016

When Punxsutawney Phil casts a shadow, Pennsylvanians expect a long winter. When Gov. Wolf issues a press release, Pennsylvanians expect a massive tax hike. How fitting that Wolf…

Media

Government Accountability

Wolf to PERC: “You’re Fired!”

• Nathan Benefield
• February 2, 2016

Gov. Wolf has a history of trying to fire individuals who won’t kowtow to his agenda. He tried to remove Erik Arneson as head of the independent Office of Open…

Media

State Budget

Is Pa. Budget Groundhog Day Ahead?

• Matthew Brouillette
• February 2, 2016

Instead of changing course entering the new budget season, Wolf appears poised to continue governing by attack ad. No wonder the latest polling shows Wolf’s approval is lower now than…

Commentary

Education

Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans

• February 2, 2016

Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans Pa. Spends $3,400 More Per Student than the National Average February 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today at 2 p.m., Gov. Wolf…

Press Release

Guess the Wolf Tax

• February 2, 2016

Thanks for playing Guess the Wolf Tax! The contest is now closed and we’ll be announcing the winner soon! Check out our Please No More Taxes page for…

Media

Health Care

The Trouble with Medicaid Expansion

• Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
• February 1, 2016

As yesterday's deadline to enroll in an Obamacare marketplace insurance plan quietly passed, Gov. Wolf is boasting about Medicaid expansion—a major component of the federal government's health care overhaul.

Media