State Budget

2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

• June 17, 2022

Limit Spending to Help Pennsylvanians Cope with Inflation Record inflation caused by federal overspending is hitting Pennsylvanians hard. Inflation is up 8.6 percent from last year and…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

• January 31, 2022

Limit spending growth to the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) index The total General Fund spending increase should not exceed the TPA limit of 3.46 percent, or an additional $1.376 billion.

Fact Sheet

Pennsylvania’s Use of ARPA Funds

• Brandon Van Dyck
• September 23, 2021

ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal bill passed in March 2021. Supporters of the legislation argued that our country needed the added spending to stimulate a nationwide recovery from the…

Fact Sheet

Government Accountability

Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency

• Jessica Barnett
• August 19, 2021

The 2021–2022 Fiscal Code contains at least $5.5 billion in federal and state funds earmarked for special projects across the state, up from $120 million last year. Most of this…

Backgrounder

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

Analysis: More COVID Aid Went to Education Than Healthcare in Pa.

• Michael Torres
• June 3, 2021

June 3, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa. – Commonwealth Foundation has completed an analysis of the distribution of federal relief funds in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other findings, it shows that public education has been the biggest winner—even being allocated more than health…

Press Release

Energy

Governor’s Lone Wolf Approach Leaves Families Wanting

• May 27, 2021

Throughout his two terms in office, Governor Tom Wolf has showcased his preference to act unilaterally and consistent unwillingness to work with the state legislature. The unprecedented power Wolf has…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Reinvigorating Pennsylvania with One-time American Rescue Plan Funds

• Elizabeth Stelle
• May 18, 2021

Pennsylvania’s chronic overspending, mediocre tax structure, and high regulatory burden are limiting growth and investment. We must pass reforms in these areas to make our economy healthier and more dynamic.

Fact Sheet

Three Ways Pennsylvania Should Spend American Rescue Plan Funds

• April 7, 2021

How should the commonwealth use this massive surplus of federal dollars? The temptation might be to simply pay off our budget deficit. The IFO projects that over the next five…

Fact Sheet