State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Stalled Economy

• January 31, 2022

Summary In 2021, Pennsylvania lagged behind most states in recovering from the COVID-19 shutdown.Challenges like historic inflation and labor shortages will likely persist throughout 2022.This year, lawmakers can reverse these…

Fact Sheet

Education

The Student Debt Threat

• James Paul
• December 29, 2016

It shouldn’t be a debt sentence to get a college education. Yet in 2010, Americans’ student loan debt surpassed even that of credit card debt. In a testimony before…

Media

Education

School Choice Expansion in Pennsylvania

• Nathan Benefield
• July 11, 2012

The fiscal year 2012-13 state budget increases the Educational Improvement Tax Credit by $25 million to $100 million and creates a new $50 million tax credit for Opportunity Scholarships—effectively doubling…

Memo

Education

Doubling of Education Spending a Myth?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2012

From 1996-97 to 2010-11, Pennsylvania public school spending increased 93.4 percent, according to state Department of Education data. Yet Rep. James Roebuck says this increase is a…

Media

Christiana Unveils Students and Schools Rescue Act

• Matthew Brouillette
• June 15, 2011

Only hours after speaking eloquently at our forum releasing our school choice video today, my friend Jim Christiana announced a new bill he is introducing to throw a…

Media

Education

Property Taxpayer Referendum

• Nathan Benefield
• May 2, 2011

Good afternoon.  I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation.  We are a nonprofit, independent public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg.  I would…

Testimony

Education

School Choice Bill Introduced in PA House

• Nathan Benefield
• April 18, 2011

While the debate over SB 1 continues over in the Pennsylvania Senate, Rep. Tom Quigley has introduced HB 1330 in the other chamber. HB 1330 would expand the Educational…

Media

Would Milton Friedman Support the Fed’s “Stimulus VI”?

• November 8, 2010

In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, Allan Meltzer argues that Nobel laureate economist Milton Friedman would never have supported the Federal Reserve’s purchase of $600 billion in long…

Media

Government Accountability

Will State Lawmakers Take a Pay Cut?

• Nathan Benefield
• November 18, 2009

As many readers will be aware, Pennsylvania lawmakers, judges, and executive branch officials receive an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), using the CPI for Philadelphia as the measure for inflation. What…

Media