State Budget

Pennsylvania State & Local Taxpayer Debt

  • May 11, 2010

Gov. Ed Rendell frequently argues that Pennsylvania taxpayers can afford to incur more state debt.  However, in order to justify the borrowing of billions of dollars, the governor conveniently ignores…

Fact Sheet

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Education

PA’s “Race to the Top” Plan Upsets Cyber Schools and PSEA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2010

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s “Race to the Top” plan – attempting to get about $400 million from federal taxpayers via the “stimulus” – has drawn a number of critics.

Media

Read More: PA’s “Race to the Top” Plan Upsets Cyber Schools and PSEA

Education

Is Our Kids Learning Better Now?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 27, 2009

Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released the PSSA results (the state standardized tests), and celebrated the results.  Of course, the Rendell administration wants to take credit for the…

Media

Read More: Is Our Kids Learning Better Now?

Education

PA School Districts Have $2.4 Billion in Reserves

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 17, 2009

New data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (released last week) show that school districts across the state have a combined $2.4 billion in General Fund reserves as of…

Media

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Education

Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education Spending

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 10, 2009

Today the Pennsylvania Department of Education is on day 3 of their “Tax You More” bus tour. While the administration continues their taxpayer funded lobbying effort, Commonwealth Foundation President…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education Spending

Government Accountability

More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying for Higher Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2009

The Rendell administration is going on another taxpayer funded bus trip across the state for higher spending (and the higher taxes need to pay for them).    The target this…

Media

Read More: More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying for Higher Taxes

Education

Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 16, 2009

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, March 12, 2009 Good afternoon.  I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation.  We…

Testimony

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law