State Budget
The $6 Billion Question for Gov. Shapiro
Pennsylvania families are already squeezed financially by record-high electricity bills and the ever-increasing cost of living. Now, Gov. Josh Shapiro is asking them to cover the cost of his reckless spending spree. In February, Shapiro proposed…
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Read More: The $6 Billion Question for Gov. ShapiroEducation
“Progress” Masks Failures
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Celebrating Philadelphia schools’ post-pandemic progress misses the larger story. Yes, students have made gains—and hardworking…
Media Hit
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Blame Misplaced
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Joel Naroff’s recent op-ed correctly identifies many of the historic and structural problems facing Philadelphia’s school…
Media Hit
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Philly Schools Don’t Need More Money…
Originally published by The Philadelphia Citizen. A majority of the Philadelphia students receiving diplomas cannot read or do math at grade level. In 2025, …
Media Hit
Read More: Philly Schools Don’t Need More Money…Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Lackluster Economy Continues to Drive People, Businesses Away
Pennsylvania, once again, ranked poorly in national rankings due to its lackluster economy. Rich States, Poor States—an annual report compiled by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)—reveals many…
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Read More: Pennsylvania’s Lackluster Economy Continues to Drive People, Businesses AwayPublic Union Democracy
Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025
Harrisburg, Pa., April 22, 2026 — Despite 2025 being an off-year election, Pennsylvania still saw heavy political spending by unions, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. The…
Press Release
Read More: Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025Public Union Democracy
Full Court Press: Pennsylvania Union Political Spending in 2025
Key Points Political action committees (PACs) affiliated with trade unions and government unions spent $22.4 million in monetary and in-kind political activity in 2025, a year with few legislative elections…
Backgrounder
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Education Tax Credits Deliver Over 100,000 Scholarships, Yet Waitlists Remain
Summary For the first time since inception, Pennsylvania scholarship organizations awarded over 100,000 scholarships during the 2023–24 school year through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax…
Fact Sheet
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New Philly Schools Report Shows Increased Spending on Staff, Declining Enrollment, and Worse Academic Outcomes
In March, with no fanfare, the School District of Philadelphia posted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The new report shows that, despite record-level spending, district…
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Read More: New Philly Schools Report Shows Increased Spending on Staff, Declining Enrollment, and Worse Academic Outcomes