State Budget

Pennsylvania State Budget Trends, 2015

  • February 6, 2015

The enacted $29 billion General Fund budget (a 1.88 percent increase over 2013-2014) and $71.4 billion total operating budget represent Pennsylvania’s highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget Trends, 2015

Taxes & Economy

How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty Behind

  • January 19, 2015

Making “the rich” pay higher taxes will miraculously help the poor. This antiquated idea is the conclusion of a recent paper released by the…

Media

Read More: How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty Behind

Taxes & Economy

Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Progress

  • October 31, 2014

It may be boring and complicated, but a state’s tax code has a real impact on individuals and families who want to improve their quality of life. For instance, if…

Media

Read More: Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Progress

Election 2014: What are the Real Adult Issues?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 27, 2014

Observers of the Pennsylvania governor’s race have been treated to a lot of adult-themed content in recent weeks, distracting from a discussion of the real policy differences between the candidates.

Commentary

Read More: Election 2014: What are the Real Adult Issues?

State Budget

2014 Pennsylvania State Budget

  • May 15, 2014

Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $29.4 billion in General Fund spending (a 3.3% increase) and $71.8 billion in spending from all funds represents Pennsylvania's highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 2014 Pennsylvania State Budget

Government Accountability

Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!

  • Bruce Cornibe
  • April 21, 2014

Happy Tax Freedom Day! It took from January 1 until today for Pennsylvanians to have earned enough income to pay off their federal, state, and local taxes for the year. …

Media

Read More: Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!

Taxes & Economy

Taxes Not Popular in Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2014

Shocker! (Not really). A new Gallup poll finds that the majority of Pennsylvanians—58 percent—think state taxes are too high. Pennsylvania’s polling falls right in line based on our tax…

Media

Read More: Taxes Not Popular in Pennsylvania

Regulation

End Special Subsidies to Lower Taxes for All

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 26, 2014

Taxpayers have spent millions on four different occasions to subsidize the infamous “Sony site” in Westmoreland County. In the 1970’s Volkswagen got $70 million in state aid under Gov.

Media

Read More: End Special Subsidies to Lower Taxes for All

Taxes & Economy

Mailbag: Is Pennsylvania Taxed Too Little?

  • November 21, 2013

In response to a blog post on Pennsylvania’s bleak budget future, a reader took issue with the claim that Pennsylvania has the 10th highest state and local tax…

Media

Read More: Mailbag: Is Pennsylvania Taxed Too Little?