State Budget

Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Demonstrates Startling Fiscal Irresponsibility

• February 6, 2024

Harrisburg, Pa., February 6, 2024 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2024 Pennsylvania budget address in the Capitol rotunda. His speech, lasting approximately an hour and a half, included proposals…

Press Release

Taxes & Economy

Pa.’s corporate welfare for select businesses keeps the state down

• Nathan Benefield
• November 14, 2022

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Just before the end of the legislative season, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a package of tax credits that will, over time, dole out $2…

Media Hit

Energy

Corporate Welfare, No Boost to Business Climate

• August 16, 2022

Summary Pennsylvania’s economy continues to struggle. In June, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate reached 4.5 percent, the fifth highest in the nation.[1], [2] As of June…

Fact Sheet

Government Accountability

Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency

• Jessica Barnett
• August 19, 2021

The 2021–2022 Fiscal Code contains at least $5.5 billion in federal and state funds earmarked for special projects across the state, up from $120 million last year. Most of this…

Backgrounder

State Budget

Marijuana Money Can’t Fix the Budget

• Andrew Abramczyk
• September 15, 2020

The dollars involved are small and legalization would create new expenses.

Memo

Regulation

Competition, Not Corporate Welfare: 3 Ways to Help All Businesses Flourish

• Tirzah Duren
• August 4, 2020

To effectively promote economic growth and job creation, policymakers need to stop investing tax dollars in failed programs and start enacting policies that benefit a wide range of job creators.

Memo

Pennsylvania’s “Great” Economy

• July 27, 2020

The variety of businesses in Pennsylvania manage to function despite the state’s business environment, not because of it.

Commentary

Pennsylvania’s “Great” Economy

• Tirzah Duren
• July 27, 2020

The variety of businesses in Pennsylvania manage to function despite the state’s business environment, not because of it.

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

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