State Budget

Five Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s Budget

  • February 8, 2022

February 8, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — In his final budget address Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed an unaffordable spending increase while claiming the mantle of fiscal responsibility. Commonwealth Foundation Senior…

Press Release

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State Budget

How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families

  • Andrew Holman, Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2022

Key Points Excessive government spending and borrowing is causing record-setting inflation and severe supply chain shortages.Voters want fiscal restraint from their government.High taxes and spending are making Pennsylvania uncompetitive, costing…

Backgrounder

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Government Accountability

Four Bills Would Empower Workers & Protect Taxpayer Resources

  • January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — Four bills approved by the House Labor and Industry Committee Tuesday could soon bring several key public-sector labor reforms to a House vote. Lawmakers…

Press Release

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Education

Pa. Senate Committee Passes School Choice Bill

  • January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee approved a bill to expand Pennsylvania’s successful and popular tax credit scholarship programs. SB 527, sponsored by Sen. Mike…

Press Release

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Education

Commonwealth Foundation Files Amicus Brief in Education Funding Lawsuit

  • January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Commonwealth Foundation has filed an amicus brief in an ongoing lawsuit over how Pennsylvania funds public schools. The brief argues, contrary to the plaintiffs’ depiction,…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

Op-Ed: Gerrymandering won’t save unpopular candidates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 1, 2022

Originally published in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review With state and congressional redistricting underway in Harrisburg, many politicians have blamed “partisan gerrymandering” for past election losses. But this is another instance when the…

Media Hit

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Government Accountability

Study: Pa. Taxpayers on Hook for at Least $42 Million in Lobbying Costs

  • December 6, 2021

December 6, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvania taxpayers paid for at least $42 million in lobbying expenses from 2007–2020, according to two reports released today by the Commonwealth Foundation. The $42 million…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to Lobby

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
  • December 1, 2021

Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.

Backgrounder

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