State Budget

Pennsylvania Avoided Tax Hikes—But Only for Now

  • Andrew Lewis
  • July 21, 2026

Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Twelve days behind schedule—but still 110 days earlier than last year—Pennsylvania lawmakers finally passed a $52.2 billion state budget. The deal,…

Media Hit

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State Budget

Pa. Lawmakers Pass 2026-27 State Budget, Blocking Shapiro’s Tax Hikes and Preserving Emergency Savings

  • July 12, 2026

While the deal blocks Gov. Shapiro’s worst budget priorities, spending remains a top concern.  Harrisburg, Pa., July 12, 2026 — Moments ago, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a state budget deal, twelve days past the deadline.  The deal totals $52.2 billion, more than a billion dollars less than Gov. Josh Shapiro’s record spending proposal,…

Press Release

Read More: Pa. Lawmakers Pass 2026-27 State Budget, Blocking Shapiro’s Tax Hikes and Preserving Emergency Savings

State Budget

What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 State Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 12, 2026

Summary Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 state budget deal is an improvement over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reckless proposal, but it still spends too much and leaves taxpayers facing an even larger long-term structural…

Backgrounder

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State Budget

Deficit Watch: July 2026

  • July 7, 2026

Background Pennsylvania continues to face serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2025–26 General Fund budget created a $4.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh…

Deficit Watch

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Health Care

Welfare Reform That Works: Reducing Waste, Fraud, and Dependency

  • July 1, 2026

Summary Pennsylvania’s labor force is expanding, Medicaid enrollment is returning to pre-pandemic levels, and fewer Pennsylvanians depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Administering Medicaid work requirements without abusing…

Fact Sheet

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Education

House Democrats Lead Charge to Gut Educational Opportunity

  • June 22, 2026

Harrisburg, Pa., June 22, 2026—Today, the Democrat-controlled Pennsylvania House passed HB 2632 with a vote of 105 to 97.  Although House Democrats amended the bill after widespread public opposition, the legislation still targets…

Press Release

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State Budget

Balancing the 2026 State Budget

  • June 12, 2026

Controlling and Prioritizing Spending Can Help Balance the Budget Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026–27 budget proposal spends $3.2 billion more than last year and drains the Rainy-Day Fund, increasing the…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Balancing the 2026 State Budget