Welcome to Freedom Rising!

  • February 18, 2026

The story of the United States begins in Pennsylvania. From the founding of our nation to becoming the beating heart of American industry, our commonwealth personifies everything—from its entrepreneurial spirit…

Blog

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State Budget

Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2026

Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s unaffordable budget worsens Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. The governor proposes nearly $53.26 billion in general fund spending, a 6.3 percent increase over the 2025–26 enacted budget. He…

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

2026–27 State Budget: Tackling the Structural Deficit

  • February 2, 2026

Summary Pennsylvania’s structural deficit has reached $4.8 billion due to excessive spending. Under Gov. Josh Shapiro and his predecessor, Tom Wolf, state spending has consistently grown at a faster pace…

Fact Sheet

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Energy

The Top Five Policy Victories of 2025—and a Look Ahead to 2026

  • December 31, 2025

Pennsylvania saw no shortage of controversies and political battles in 2025, including a four-month-long budget impasse. But this year also saw lawmakers enact several pro-growth policies—from expanding educational choice to…

Blog

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Obamacare Fraud is Out of Control

  • December 20, 2025

Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas! Obamacare Fraud and the Future of Affordable Healthcare In Pennsylvania,…

Blog

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Taxes & Economy

What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 12, 2025

Summary Four months late, Gov. Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers agreed on a state budget deal. The agreement spends $1.4 billion less than Shapiro’s reckless, extreme proposal, and uses excessive…

Backgrounder

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