Energy

Assessing Gov. Tom Wolf’s Tenure

• Nathan Benefield
• January 12, 2023

Key Points During Gov. Tom Wolf’s eight years in office, Pennsylvania ranked below the national average in income growth, job growth, and population growth.State government spending increased significantly under Wolf,…

Backgrounder

Energy

Corporate Welfare, No Boost to Business Climate

• August 16, 2022

Summary Pennsylvania’s economy continues to struggle. In June, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate reached 4.5 percent, the fifth highest in the nation.[1], [2] As of June…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

• June 17, 2022

Limit Spending to Help Pennsylvanians Cope with Inflation Record inflation caused by federal overspending is hitting Pennsylvanians hard. Inflation is up 8.6 percent from last year and…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families

• Andrew Holman, Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2022

Key Points Excessive government spending and borrowing is causing record-setting inflation and severe supply chain shortages.Voters want fiscal restraint from their government.High taxes and spending are making Pennsylvania uncompetitive, costing…

Backgrounder

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Stalled Economy

• January 31, 2022

Summary In 2021, Pennsylvania lagged behind most states in recovering from the COVID-19 shutdown.Challenges like historic inflation and labor shortages will likely persist throughout 2022.This year, lawmakers can reverse these…

Fact Sheet

Taxes & Economy

Top Unemployment Compensation Reforms for Pennsylvania

• November 3, 2021

Overview Pennsylvania should reform its unemployment compensation system to pay down state debt, incentivize hiring, increase labor participation, and minimize fraudulent claims. Reforms should protect unemployment compensation for the individuals…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Reinvigorating Pennsylvania with One-time American Rescue Plan Funds

• Elizabeth Stelle
• May 18, 2021

Pennsylvania’s chronic overspending, mediocre tax structure, and high regulatory burden are limiting growth and investment. We must pass reforms in these areas to make our economy healthier and more dynamic.

Fact Sheet

Three Ways Pennsylvania Should Spend American Rescue Plan Funds

• April 7, 2021

How should the commonwealth use this massive surplus of federal dollars? The temptation might be to simply pay off our budget deficit. The IFO projects that over the next five…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Gov. Wolf’s Budget Plan & Working Families

• Elizabeth Stelle
• February 23, 2021

Chairman Causer and members of the House Majority Policy Committee, thank you for inviting the Commonwealth Foundation to testify on the impact of Governor Wolf’s budget proposal. My name is…

Testimony