State Budget

Back to the Future: Budget Edition

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 8, 2016

Doc Brown showed up at Commonwealth Foundation headquarters in his DeLorean yesterday with a stern warning about the future. “I just returned from 2017! You’ve got to come back with…

Media

Read More: Back to the Future: Budget Edition

State Budget

One of these things is not like the others . . .

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 8, 2016

Remember this popular song from the children's show Sesame Street? It goes, “One of these things is not like the others, one of these things doesn't belong. . .”…

Media

Read More: One of these things is not like the others . . .

Regulation

‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed Budgeting

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 8, 2016

As it stands, this budget leaves families trapped in a game of tax roulette—praying their taxes don’t go up this year. Next year, let’s hope taxpayers don’t have to choose…

Commentary

Read More: ‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed Budgeting

Taxes & Economy

PA Manufacturing Withers Under High Tax Load

  • Gordon Tomb
  • July 6, 2016

As Harrisburg searches for politically acceptable tax hikes to fund a record-breaking budget, Pennsylvania’s attractiveness to manufacturers continues to decline. According to a study reported by the Central…

Media

Read More: PA Manufacturing Withers Under High Tax Load

State Budget

Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge?

  • July 6, 2016

Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge? Natural Gas Gross Receipts Tax Would Hit 2.7 Million Homeowners July 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers scramble to find revenue…

Press Release

Read More: Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge?

Criminal Justice Reform

My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s Board

  • June 30, 2016

How did a registered Democrat and the daughter of former Democratic Governor George Leader find a place on Commonwealth Foundation’s Board? …

Commentary

Read More: My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s Board

Education

Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?

  • James Paul
  • June 30, 2016

In addition to general appropriations (SB 1073) and the fiscal code (SB 1320), lawmakers are finalizing language in the education code, HB 530. This legislation promises significant reforms…

Media

Read More: Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?

Education

2015 SAT Scores

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 29, 2016

The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is an important indicator of public education quality in Pennsylvania. Currently, the commonwealth ranks 36th out of the 50 states and 3 US territories (Washington…

Media

Read More: 2015 SAT Scores

State Budget

Five Major Flaws in House Budget

  • June 28, 2016

Five Major Flaws in House Budget Unsustainable State Spending Threatens Family Budgets June 28, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed a $31.6 billion spending plan, representing a…

Press Release

Read More: Five Major Flaws in House Budget