Education

Concentrating Resources on Failing Systems Instead of Students

  • Stefanie Mason
  • July 20, 2021

The 2021-22 budget has the largest state education funding increase in Pennsylvania history despite public schools receiving over $6.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The funding increase includes a…

Fact Sheet

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New Research Shows Pathway to Fiscal Stability for States

  • Michael Torres
  • July 12, 2021

July 13, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa. — A new Commonwealth Foundation study investigating the impacts of Taxpayer and Expenditure Limits (TELs) has found that the policies can ward off tax increases…

Press Release

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State Budget

2021 Budget Takeaways

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 29, 2021

Last week, the Pa. General Assembly passed a state budget deal that includes $40 billion in the General Fund budget, increases in tax credit scholarships, and a number of policy…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 2021 Budget Takeaways

Education

Pennsylvania Public Schools? Pandemic Profits

  • Stefanie Mason
  • June 18, 2021

Since the early months of the pandemic, Pennsylvania school district bureaucrats and lobbyists have demanded additional funding, ostensibly to cover increased costs. A February Commonwealth Foundation report tracked the…

Media

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Corporate Welfare in 3 Charts

  • Tirzah Duren
  • March 4, 2021

The Governor’s Executive budget includes updated estimates for spending on corporate welfare, which is government favoritism of one sector or business over others. This favoritism is disquised under less innocuous…

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

Three Takeaways on Gov. Wolf’s 2021 Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2021

Our commonwealth faces a structural budget deficit. Families need education lifelines to get back on track. Small businesses need regulatory and tax relief to stay afloat. Patients need more options to access care.

Commentary

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Caring for Kids and Communities: The 2021 State Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 22, 2021

A successful recovery is not dependent on government aid; it requires education lifelines for families, regulatory and tax relief for small businesses, and health care reforms to bolster patient access…

Backgrounder

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Pa. House Committee Passes Taxpayer Protection Bill

  • Michael Torres
  • January 13, 2021

Jan 13, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today the House State Government Committee advanced the Taxpayer Protection Act, which would put guardrails on state spending growth to protect Pennsylvanians from…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Crucial Reforms Needed in End-of-Year Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 19, 2020

The recently completed state budget will dig Pennsylvania into a deep hole. Lawmakers passed a 7.5% increase in spending. The General Fund budget, including billions in one-time federal funds, is $36.54 billion—up from $33.98 billion last…

Media

Read More: Crucial Reforms Needed in End-of-Year Budget