Education

7 Little-Known Facts on Pennsylvania Public School Spending

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 11, 2014

For years, teachers unions in Pennsylvania have claimed the governor cut $1 billion from schools. But the real story is more complicated. A huge influx of federal stimulus funding expired,…

Media

Read More: 7 Little-Known Facts on Pennsylvania Public School Spending

How Can Education Spending Be Going Up?

  • April 4, 2013

One educator wrote in response to our information on school spending, asking how we arrived at our figures. According to the PSEA, he noted, “funding HAS DECREASED under Mr.

Media

Read More: How Can Education Spending Be Going Up?

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Cost of Government Day

  • Priya Brannick
  • August 15, 2011

By the calculation of Americans for Tax Reform, Pennsylvania just reached its Cost of Government Day. That is, it took the average Keystone worker until Aug. 15, or 227…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Cost of Government Day

State Budget

Understanding the Pennsylvania State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 7, 2011

Pennsylvania's total state operating budget for FY 2010-11 is approximately $65.4 billion-or $5,193 for every man, woman and child in the commonwealth.  This policy brief looks at the entire state…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Understanding the Pennsylvania State Budget

Taxes & Economy

Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology

  • November 23, 2010

Today The Patriot-News reports that state and federal subsidies for renewables projects are running out, leading to uncertainty that a whole new Green Economy (promoted by environmentalists)…

Media

Read More: Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology

Taxes & Economy

Did the Stimulus Raise Unemployment?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2010

Alan Reynolds takes a nuanced approach to where stimulus funding went, and why it didn’t “create jobs” or increase GDP, and probably increased unemployment: [T]he GDP report clearly…

Media

Read More: Did the Stimulus Raise Unemployment?

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…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Budget Facts 2009: Personal Income Tax and Job Losses

In What World is a 15.9% Increase Called a Decrease?

  • June 11, 2009

Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette continues to follow Gov. Ed Rendell’s taxpayer-funded bus campaign today.  The  Administration’s “Tax You More Bus Tour” will make a…

Press Release

Read More: In What World is a 15.9% Increase Called a Decrease?

Education

In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?

  • June 10, 2009

Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette continues to follow Gov. Ed Rendell’s taxpayer-funded bus campaign into the northeastern part of the state today.  Today’s “Tax You…

Press Release

Read More: In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?