Exposing Shapiro’s Inflated Budget
Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Be sure to follow us on social media to…
Blog
Read More: Exposing Shapiro’s Inflated BudgetEducation
Political Hit Job on Cyber Charter Schools
Originally published by TribLive. Forget better schools. Apparently, Pennsylvania students need fewer schools, even if that means hurting the kids who need the most help. That’s effectively the message…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania Education Myths
Summary Conversations about education in Pennsylvania are fraught with myths, including the notions that Pennsylvania public schools remain underfunded, nonpublic options and school choice programs lack accountability, private schools only…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Education MythsState Budget
Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue Projections
Harrisburg, Pa., March 5, 2025 — Tuesday, the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its analysis of revenue proposals contained in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget proposal. This latest…
Press Release
Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue ProjectionsEnergy
The Inconvenient Truth About Pennsylvania Natural Gas
When it comes to reducing carbon emissions, Pennsylvania natural gas doesn’t get the credit it deserves. To some, natural gas is just another “evil” cog of the fossil fuel industry.
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Read More: The Inconvenient Truth About Pennsylvania Natural GasState Budget
Deficit Watch: March 2025
Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: March 2025Education
Don’t Punish Cyber Charters for Being Fiscally Responsible
Originally published on RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania cyber charter schools are under attack for—of all things—not wastefully spending taxpayer money. The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General recently …
Media Hit
Read More: Don’t Punish Cyber Charters for Being Fiscally ResponsiblePublic Union Democracy
Government Unions are Losing Money and Members—but Not Power and Influence
Originally published by Penn Live/Patriot-News. Pennsylvania’s second-largest union is on the brink of collapse. Last year, the Harrisburg-based subsidiary of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees…
Media Hit
Read More: Government Unions are Losing Money and Members—but Not Power and InfluenceEducation
These Pennsylvania Scholarships Help Kids Escape Failing Schools. But They Are Not Enough.
Pennsylvania once was a national leader in school choice programs. The commonwealth’s two tax-credit scholarships—the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity…
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Read More: These Pennsylvania Scholarships Help Kids Escape Failing Schools. But They Are Not Enough.