State Budget
Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is Needed
We at the Commonwealth Foundation are pleased to welcome State Treasurer Rob McCord to the fight for fiscal restraint. McCord, along with Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, held a press conference…
Media
Read More: Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is NeededPublic Union Democracy
Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save Pensions
“They are going to take away your pension!” is a common scare tactic used by Pennsylvania government union leaders to oppose pension reform (even though private school unions have…
Media
Read More: Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save PensionsTaxes & Economy
Gasland Part II: New Name, Same Propaganda
Remember the frackaphobic film Gasland (2010) directed by Pennsylvania native Josh Fox? Although a documentary in name, we proved the film to be largely fictional. Despite critical acclaim and…
Media
Read More: Gasland Part II: New Name, Same PropagandaEducation
From Cyber School to West Point
Hannah Tuffy, 20, is one of the first cyber school students to be accepted at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The accomplished Scranton native credits her success…
Media
Read More: From Cyber School to West PointEducation
Cyber Proposal Undermines Cherished School Option
The Matunis girls are just two of some 32,000 students statewide who are thriving at cyber schools. New legislation unveiled in Harrisburg, however, could do serious damage to cyber…
Commentary
Read More: Cyber Proposal Undermines Cherished School OptionEducation
Charter Expansion Would Boost Student Learning
Priya wrote about the recent decline in state test scores and in the number of schools making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), noting seven facts union bosses don’t want you…
Media
Read More: Charter Expansion Would Boost Student LearningEducation
Pennsylvania’s Academic Performance and Implications for Charter School Reform
The 2011-12 state PSSA results show declines across the board, and fewer districts and schools making Adequate Year Progress. Here are some key facts concerning this latest development, and what…
Memo
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Academic Performance and Implications for Charter School ReformPublic Union Democracy
Why Cities Fail
Harrisburg is broke. Literally. So are 26 other cities across the commonwealth that are stuck in the state's Act 47 program for financially strapped municipalities. Many enter in – like…
Commentary
Read More: Why Cities FailRegulation
Principles for Public Pension Reform
Projected taxpayer contributions for PSERS and SERS will increase from $1.7 billion in 2011-12 to more than $6.2 billion in 2016-17—a 263% increase. Contributions will continue to rise at a…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Principles for Public Pension Reform