New Philly Schools Report Shows Increased Spending on Staff, Declining Enrollment, and Worse Academic Outcomes

• March 31, 2026

In March, with no fanfare, the School District of Philadelphia posted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The new report shows that, despite record-level spending, district…

Blog

Education

Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal

• Nathan Benefield
• February 3, 2026

Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s unaffordable budget worsens Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. The governor proposes nearly $53.26 billion in general fund spending, a 6.3 percent increase over the 2025–26 enacted budget. He…

Fact Sheet

Raining on Shapiro’s Rainy Day Fund Raid

• Common Sense Weekly
• September 20, 2025

Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania. Can the ‘Rainy Day Fund’ Balance the Budget? ​​​​Pennsylvania’s emergency savings account, contrary to…

Blog

The Political Theater of SEPTA and House Democrats

• Kevin Kane
• September 18, 2025

Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. The Emmy might have gone to “The Pitt.” But Pennsylvania Democrats and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) deserved the award for best…

Media Hit

State Budget

The Shapiro Stalemate Enters Year Three

• September 12, 2025

Gov. Josh Shapiro wants Pennsylvanians to believe that he wasn’t responsible for this year’s budget impasse—just like he wasn’t for last year’s stalemate or the year before that. For three…

Blog

Is Shapiro Responsible?

• Common Sense Weekly
• September 8, 2025

Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania. Have a great weekend!  New Poll: Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget Impasse​​​​ By…

Blog

Back to School

• Common Sense Weekly
• September 2, 2025

Hope everybody had a happy Labor Day weekend! Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.  Back to School—With Billions in the…

Blog

Manufactured Crisis

• Common Sense Weekly
• August 23, 2025

Welcome to the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Follow us on X for the latest updates—and help us reach…

Blog

Government Accountability

SEPTA’s Manufactured Crisis Has Delayed State Budget Long Enough

• August 22, 2025

Harrisburg, Pa., August 22, 2025 — This Sunday, after eight consecutive weeks of public fearmongering, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will enact self-imposed service cuts. Though completely avoidable, these…

Press Release