State Budget

Balancing the 2026 State Budget

• June 12, 2026

Controlling and Prioritizing Spending Can Help Balance the Budget Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026–27 budget proposal spends $3.2 billion more than last year and drains the Rainy-Day Fund, increasing the…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Corporate Welfare in Governor Shapiro’s 2026–27 Budget Proposal

• May 20, 2026

Summary High taxes and burdensome regulations continue to drive outmigration. Rather than improving the state’s tax and regulatory environment, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–27 budget proposal seeks to…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Corporate Welfare in Governor Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2025–26 Budget Proposal

• September 8, 2025

Summary Pennsylvania’s economy lags behind other states, hindered by high taxes and burdensome regulations. As a result, the state suffers from continued outmigration, with residents leaving for better opportunities in…

Fact Sheet

Energy

Pennsylvania Energy Returns to the National Spotlight—No Thanks to Governor Shapiro

• July 16, 2025

Yesterday, lawmakers and business executives convened in Pittsburgh to celebrate Pennsylvania’s bright future—all thanks to the commonwealth’s robust energy sector. The event, titled the “Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit,”…

Blog

Shapiro’s Self-Promotion Madness (Updated)

• April 7, 2025

“Barbie Guy” is the Winner In a landslide victory, “Barbie Guy” takes home the championship. And though the video might have won, it still serves as a stark reminder…

Blog

Energy

Deficit Watch: April 2025

• April 4, 2025

Improving Pennsylvania’s economy will help close the deficit. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit.

Deficit Watch

Hackers, Freedom, Cyber Charters, and More

• Common Sense Weekly
• March 26, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Help us reach more Pennsylvanians on social media!…

Blog

Is Shapiro Ignoring Students in Need?

• Common Sense Weekly
• March 19, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania. Be sure to follow us on…

Blog

Taxpayer-Funded TikToks?

• Common Sense Weekly
• March 12, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Be sure to follow us on social media to…

Blog