Regulation

Prevailing Wage in Pennsylvania

  • October 7, 2024

Summary Prevailing wage law dictates the minimum wage rates paid to workers on public construction projects if the project’s estimated costs exceed a certain threshold. Pennsylvania’s threshold for prevailing wage…

Fact Sheet

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Public Union Democracy

State of the Unions: Examining Union Membership in State Government

  • Andrew Holman, David Osborne
  • March 11, 2024

Key Findings Public sector labor unions in 33 states represent state government employees, a segment of overall public sector employment, for purposes of collective bargaining. For this research, 27 of…

Executive Summary

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Education

Education Funding in the Commonwealth

  • January 10, 2024

Pennsylvania Outspends the Nation on Public Schools Pennsylvania ranks among the highest-spending states on public education. According to National Center for Education Statistics data, as of fiscal year (FY) 2021,…

Backgrounder

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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

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Regulation

Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor

  • Tirzah Duren
  • August 12, 2019

The founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, believed strong liberty of conscience was essential to a flourishing society. But Pennsylvania’s current slough of sin taxes shrug off Penn’s warning. Pennsylvania’s sin…

Media

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Regulation

Corporate Welfare’s Record of Failure

  • October 16, 2018

In a free market economy, entrepreneurs succeed or fail based on their ability to meet their customers’ needs. Yet all too often, government disrupts this process by conferring tax credits,…

Fact Sheet

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National Spotlight

  • February 14, 2017

After the election, Commonwealth Foundation and our friends throughout the State Policy Network received national attention. Here are some of the highlights.

Commentary

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National Spotlight

  • February 14, 2017

After the election, Commonwealth Foundation and our friends throughout the State Policy Network received national attention. Here are some of the highlights.

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?

  • August 25, 2016

Pennsylvania’s tax structure should benefit all Pennsylvanians, not just some. Unfortunately, our state’s stifling tax burden harms residents. Each year, government spending grows, increasing the pressure for higher taxes. These…

Fact Sheet

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