Is Shapiro Different?
Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania. Josh Shapiro isn’t a “different Democrat” Gov. Josh…
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New Report: Demand for Tax Credit Scholarships Rises as Wait Lists Grow
Rising, unmet demand for EITC and OSTC programs necessitates expanded educational choice options like Lifeline Scholarships. Harrisburg, Pa., February 26, 2025 — Demand for school choice scholarships…
Press Release
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Record Tax Credit Scholarship Waiting List Shows Growing Demand for Education Options
Summary Pennsylvania scholarship organizations awarded a record 85,570 K–12 scholarships through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) in the 2022-23 school year. The average…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania Public Schools are Failing — and More Money Won’t Help
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Imagine bringing home a report card full of Ds and Fs. How would your parents react? Also, would this be a good time…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Public Schools are Failing — and More Money Won’t HelpState Budget
Optimizing State Spending
Summary Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural budget deficit in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–25. The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) calculates Gov. Josh Shapiro’s FY 2025–26 budget…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania Public Schools: Nation’s Report Card 2024
Summary Despite $4.1 billion in education funding increases over the last four years, Pennsylvania public schools did not rank in the top 10 for any category…
Fact Sheet
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Megan Martin loves her new job. Learn why.
Megan Martin is the Commonwealth Foundation’s chief operating officer and general counsel. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Megan served as the vice president and general counsel of the Pennsylvania Chamber…
Organization Updates
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Audit Shows Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools are Fiscally Responsible
Cyber charter schools need reserve funds to ensure their continued operation despite fluctuations in their unpredictable funding. CORRECTION: A previous version of this release incorrectly stated that the fund…
Press Release
Read More: Audit Shows Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools are Fiscally ResponsibleEnergy
Three Mile Island Is “Ahead of Schedule.” Here’s Why This Is Good News.
Three Mile Island—the previously shuttered nuclear reactor and soon to be the Crane Clean Energy Center—is “ahead of schedule,” according to spokespeople. Why Is This Great News? This is…
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Read More: Three Mile Island Is “Ahead of Schedule.” Here’s Why This Is Good News.