Where is Shapiro’s Leadership?

• Common Sense Weekly
• June 20, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…

Blog

With $64 Million in the Bank, Central Bucks School District Still Increases Taxes

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 19, 2025

Originally published by Bucks County Independence. The bill for public education is about to rise in Bucks County — again. Homeowners in Central Bucks School District are facing a…

Media Hit

Education

Don’t Punish Cyber Charters for Being Fiscally Responsible

• Rachel Langan
• March 3, 2025

Originally published on RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania cyber charter schools are under attack for—of all things—not wastefully spending taxpayer money. The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General recently …

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle

• Andrew Holman
• March 21, 2023

Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…

Backgrounder

Op-Ed: Covid didn’t “break” parents

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 10, 2021

Few things are more sickening than the realization that something you disagree with will happen to your child and there is nothing you can do about it.

Commentary

Education

Ways to Ease Substitute Teacher Shortages?

• Colleen Hroncich
• September 4, 2020

Now more than ever, we need flexible policies to ensure schools have enough substitute teachers. We trust school leaders to keep kids safe and manage large budgets. Shouldn’t we trust them to…

Commentary

Education

Pa. has $1 billion in CARES aid left. Where should it go?

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 14, 2020

As the pandemic slows, it’s time to step back and reevaluate Pennsylvania’s remaining needs for coronavirus relief. How can our state government ensure that the citizens and businesses who most…

Fact Sheet

Education

Wolf’s “Plague” on Public Education

• James Paul
• March 11, 2016

Schools across Pennsylvania are feeling the squeeze from Gov. Tom Wolf’s $3 billion education funding cut. In Red Lion, Carbondale, Plum, and Erie—to name just…

Media

Education

Are Cyber School Students Second-Class Citizens?

• August 30, 2013

Editor’s Note: Jake Swink is a summer intern at Commonwealth Foundation and, starting in September, will be an active duty 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force specializing in cyber…

Media