Taking Pennsylvania for a Ride

• Matthew Brouillette
• July 30, 2007

Nearly three years ago, the Commonwealth Foundation joined a loose coalition of groups that spanned the political and ideological spectrum. Common Cause, Democracy Rising PA, RockTheCapital.org, Young Conservatives of…

Commentary

Education

The Truth About Cyber Schools

• July 25, 2007

An increasing number of parents are choosing Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter schools for their children every year—enrollment grew from 1,848 to almost 16,000 students between 2001 and 2006. Cyber…

Commentary

Pittsburgh schools drop ‘public’ from name to boost image

• Nathan Benefield
• July 17, 2007

Oddity on the education front – since “public” schools carry a negative connotation the Pittsburgh Public Schools will now be known simply as the Pittsburgh Schools. We think…

Media

Taxes & Economy

PAs Coming Transportation Taxes: When a user fee is a tax

• July 17, 2007

HARRISBURG, PA — Lawmakers in Harrisburg are hailing a budget without tax increases, but the Commonwealth Foundation noted that the effect of the transportation funding proposal will be a significant…

Press Release

Regulation

Gov. Ed Rendells Ransom

• July 9, 2007

PA Governor holds state workers and public services hostage for higher taxes and fees, despite $650M tax surplus. HARRISBURG, PA – Nearly 25,000 state workers were furloughed and many public…

Press Release

Stealth Lawmaking Lives

• July 2, 2007

From Democracy Rising….Stealth Lawmaking Lives: House Suspends Rules, Commits $1.65 BillionThis week the PA House proved why changing the rules doesn’t…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Mass Transit Reform: Lessons for Pennsylvania

• June 26, 2007

Executive Summary Pennsylvania’s two major public transit agencies, the Philadelphia-area Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the Pittsburgh-based Port Authority Transit (PAT), have been in financial crisis for years, with…

Fact Sheet

Taxes & Economy

Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health

• June 14, 2007

:: Fat Facts of the Week :: Taxpayer-funded handouts to major corporations are just one reason why state government spending is so obese. Consider just four examples of corporate welfare:…

Commentary

State Eminent Domain Report Card

• Nathan Benefield
• June 8, 2007

One major success for individual rights in Harrisburg in recent years is Eminent Domain reform. The Castle Coalition’s Report Card on Eminent Domain Reform Legislation since Kelo, released this…

Media