Education

Commonwealth Foundation Files Amicus Brief in Education Funding Lawsuit

  • January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Commonwealth Foundation has filed an amicus brief in an ongoing lawsuit over how Pennsylvania funds public schools. The brief argues, contrary to the plaintiffs’ depiction,…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Files Amicus Brief in Education Funding Lawsuit

Government Accountability

How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to Lobby

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
  • December 1, 2021

Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.

Backgrounder

Read More: How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to Lobby

Government Accountability

How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
  • December 1, 2021

Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.

Backgrounder

Read More: How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists

Government Accountability

Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 19, 2021

The 2021–2022 Fiscal Code contains at least $5.5 billion in federal and state funds earmarked for special projects across the state, up from $120 million last year. Most of this…

Backgrounder

Read More: Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency

Education

School Funding Myth Busters

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 23, 2021

In the face of uncertainly due to COVID in 2020, state lawmakers flat-funded education for the 2020–21 school year. Districts also received about $6 billion in additional funding via three…

Fact Sheet

Read More: School Funding Myth Busters

Op-Ed: More school choice means fewer lotteries

  • Stephen Bloom
  • June 16, 2021

SB 1 also includes an important provision to increase the availability of charter schools. Pennsylvania law currently places school districts in charge of charter school authorization. Unsurprisingly, districts often reject…

Commentary

Read More: Op-Ed: More school choice means fewer lotteries

Public Sector Union 2020 Election Spending

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 18, 2021

Public sector union political action committees (PAC) spent $16.7 million in Pennsylvania during the 2019–2020 election cycle, principally on behalf of Democratic politicians.

Backgrounder

Read More: Public Sector Union 2020 Election Spending

State Budget

Opportunity Finds a Way

  • Marc LeBlond
  • March 11, 2021

The 2018-19 budget increased EITC by $25 million, providing an additional 8,000 student scholarships. Each child deserves an exceptional education—one that fits their unique gifts and talents. Parents should have…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Opportunity Finds a Way