State Budget

The $6 Billion Question for Gov. Shapiro 

  • June 16, 2026

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…

Blog

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State Budget

Balancing the 2026 State Budget

  • June 12, 2026

Controlling and Prioritizing Spending Can Help Balance the Budget Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026–27 budget proposal spends $3.2 billion more than last year and drains the Rainy-Day Fund, increasing the…

Fact Sheet

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Public Union Democracy

Full Court Press: Pennsylvania Union Political Spending in 2025

  • David Osborne
  • April 21, 2026

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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Energy

What Can Pennsylvanians Do About Increasing Electricity Rates?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 18, 2025

Just before Thanksgiving, Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) alerted customers about the rise in standard charges for electricity for seven of the eight major utility companies across the commonwealth.

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The Truth About Court-Ordered Education Funding

  • Common Sense Weekly
  • December 13, 2025

Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania. We hope you have a great weekend! Pennsylvania Courts Never Ordered More Funding for…

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Spooky Spending Spree

  • Common Sense Weekly
  • November 1, 2025

Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.We hope you have a great weekend! Shapiro’s Spooky Spending Spree As everyday Pennsylvanians struggle…

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Education

Low-Achieving and Violent Public Schools in Pennsylvania

  • October 30, 2025

Overview Students attending low-achieving public schools experience violence at nearly twice the rate of students attending higher-achieving schools and are more likely to experience violence involving a weapon.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Low-Achieving and Violent Public Schools in Pennsylvania