While Nobody was looking, Harrisburg quietly spent $26 billion

• Nathan Benefield
• August 13, 2020

Government institutions have gotten more than their fair share. Now it’s time to support parents who paid out-of-pocket for several months for their children’s education, on top of the tax…

Commentary

Criminal Justice Reform

Probation Reform Proposals Prioritize Public Safety and Cost Savings

• Jessica Barnett
• August 12, 2020

The next step toward smart justice? Probation reform to reduce caseloads, prevent reoffending, produce savings, and break down unnecessary roadblocks to success.

Memo

Education

The Race to Rebuild: How Pa. Can Bounce Back After COVID-19

• August 11, 2020

Pennsylvanians are facing some of the biggest challenges of their lifetimes. It is time for lawmakers to launch a race to rebuild Pennsylvania using the following policy solutions.

Report

A Responsible State Budget? Only in Your Dreams

• Nathan Benefield
• July 27, 2020

We can spend our money smarter through sound policy, and we can make hard budgeting decisions easier for lawmakers by placing real limits on spending.

Commentary

Wolf Reluctantly Gives In On Transparency During Emergencies

• Michael Torres
• July 27, 2020

Yesterday, a transparency bill requiring state and local government to continue fulfilling Right-to-Know requests under the Pa. Open Records law during emergency declarations became law without the governor’s signature.

Media

Op-Ed: Financial recovery is as important as ending the lockdown

• Tirzah Duren
• July 20, 2020

The Commonwealth should learn from states like Colorado to ensure financial stability for the state in the future.

Commentary

Energy

Pa. Can Energize Its Energy Sector by Cutting Red Tape—Not with Industry Subsidies

• Gordon Tomb, Tirzah Duren
• July 17, 2020

This week the state legislature passed House Bill 732. The bill—designed to exempt volunteer service providers from a 1 percent realty transfer tax— now offers tax credits to the…

Memo

Education

Honor the Heroes of Liberty: Give Military Families Educational Freedom

• July 4, 2020

Patriotism runs strong in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so it’s no surprise that Pennsylvanians stand united in support for military children. 85 percent of Pennsylvanians support an ESA program…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Pa. Supreme Court Grants Governor Unchecked Emergency Powers

• Charles Mitchell, Michael Torres
• July 1, 2020

July 1, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Pa. Supreme Court ignored the commonwealth’s tradition of checks and balances between branches of government in a ruling on a lawsuit between…

Press Release