State Budget

5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 4, 2016

The 2016-17 budget has passed, yet it remains unbalanced, relying on borrowing money and yet-to-be-passed legislation. Many revenue estimates are overly optimistic. Without efforts to reduce spending or reform cost drivers like pensions…

Media

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State Budget

A Budget of Convenience

  • July 19, 2016

The dust has settled on the 2016-17 budget debate—at least for the moment. Some people hail the agreement as an example of what Harrisburg can accomplish when two parties work together.

Media

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State Budget

Philadelphia’s Cigarette Tax Falls Short

  • July 8, 2016

Philadelphia collected nearly $59 million in cigarette taxes between July 2015 and June 2016. Well below the $77.5 million originally anticipated by state lawmakers, according to Anna Orso…

Media

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Education

Ghost Teachers Bill Advances in State House

  • June 7, 2016

Ghost Teachers Bill Advances in State House Legislation Strictly Limits Union Work on School Time June 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House Education Committee advanced HB 2125,…

Press Release

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Education

Ghost Teaching Put to Rest?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 7, 2016

Are ghost teachers about to be put to rest? Ghost teachers in Pennsylvania would be strictly limited under legislation approved by the state House Education Committee today. HB 2125 restricts…

Media

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Sound Ideas Transcend Party Labels

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 7, 2016

When Jane Janeczek, a lifelong Democrat and daughter of former Democratic governor George Leader, was elected Commonwealth Foundation board chair, some wondered how she came to embrace our policy solutions.

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Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania’s Ghost Teachers

  • June 3, 2016

Collective bargaining agreements in many Pennsylvania school districts permit school employees to take a full-time leave of absence from the classroom to perform union work. While on leave doing union work,…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Sugary Drink Tax: Not So Sweet for Philadelphia

  • James Paul
  • May 11, 2016

Such a believer is Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in universal preschool that he supports a punitive tax on low-income residents to pay for it. During his stint on City…

Media

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