Shapiro Still Not Getting Stuff Done
Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…
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Read More: Shapiro Still Not Getting Stuff DoneEnergy
Pennsylvania Voters Reject Governor Shapiro’s Green Energy Boondoggle
On Monday, a Pennsylvania House committee passed part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s broader energy plans. However, the proposed legislation is both politically unpopular and economically devastating to the commonwealth. The…
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Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Reject Governor Shapiro’s Green Energy BoondoggleEducation
Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t Done
Heading into his third budget negotiation, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official slogan starkly contrasts with his legislative accomplishments. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis found Shapiro’s first two-and-a-half years…
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Read More: Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t DoneEducation
HB 1500 Harms Cyber School Students
Summary Pennsylvania public school revenue has risen by almost 5 percent in the last year to more than $23,000 per student. The commonwealth ranks seventh in the nation in spending…
Fact Sheet
Read More: HB 1500 Harms Cyber School StudentsEnergy
PRESS Passes Out of Committee, Threatening Another Hike in Electric Bills
Harrisburg, Pa., June 2, 2025 —Today, the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee passed House Bill 501, one legislative component of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s overarching energy proposal known…
Press Release
Read More: PRESS Passes Out of Committee, Threatening Another Hike in Electric BillsEducation
Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024
Pennsylvania Public School Spending is Growing Public school spending reaches historic levels year after year. Pennsylvania public school revenue per student increased to $23,061 in the 2023-24 school year, up…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024Public Union Democracy
Government Unions Spent $33 Million in Recent Pennsylvania Elections
When it comes to politics, government unions are big spenders—and they overwhelmingly favor one side of the political spectrum. In Pennsylvania, unions representing public sector workers spent millions of membership…
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Read More: Government Unions Spent $33 Million in Recent Pennsylvania ElectionsPublic Union Democracy
New Analysis Reveals Striking Partisanship of Government Union Spending
Government unions spent more than $33 million on political causes and only 5.2 percent of PAC contributions went to non-Democratic candidates. Harrisburg, Pa., April 16, 2025 — Government unions…
Press Release
Read More: New Analysis Reveals Striking Partisanship of Government Union SpendingPublic Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions enjoy a host of special legal privileges in Pennsylvania, which allow their executives to exert undue influence over Pennsylvania’s public policy process. Government union bosses use…
Backgrounder
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election Cycle