Education

Senate Committee Passes Major Education Reform Bill

  • May 22, 2018

Every student deserves an education that best fits his or her unique needs. But this vision of education equality is beyond the reach of thousands of Pennsylvania families. That’s why…

Press Release

Read More: Senate Committee Passes Major Education Reform Bill

Government Accountability

Government that Works?in the Shadows

  • May 1, 2018

Legislation introduced by Rep. Seth Grove—House Bill 1843—injects a much-needed dose of transparency into the state budget. The proposal would give taxpayers access to critical budget documents and financial…

Media

Read More: Government that Works?in the Shadows

State Budget

Ten Facts About the Shadow Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 11, 2017

Four tax hikes in eight years have failed to solve Pennsylvania’s budget challenges or grow the economy. In contrast, utilizing 13% of reserve funds in the shadow budget…

Memo

Read More: Ten Facts About the Shadow Budget

State Budget

Five Facts About the Shadow Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 31, 2017

Lawmakers should utilize surplus shadow budget funds before raising taxes on working families.

Memo

Read More: Five Facts About the Shadow Budget

State Budget

Treasurer Playing Chicken with State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 30, 2017

In a news interview yesterday, State Treasurer Joe Torsella threatened that he won’t allow the state to borrow any more money to pay bills, unless the budget is balanced.

Media

Read More: Treasurer Playing Chicken with State Budget

Regulation

Reducing the State’s Cash Stockpile Can Help Balance the Budget

  • August 24, 2017

Lawmakers considering balancing the budget with borrowing and higher taxes could opt for a responsible alternative: drawing down funds from the shadow budget's “banking accounts.” But first, let’s take a…

Media

Read More: Reducing the State’s Cash Stockpile Can Help Balance the Budget

State Budget

Can Other Funds Help Balance the State Budget?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 16, 2017

The total operating budget for the state exceeds $80 billion. In addition to the $32 billion General Fund, the “shadow budget” includes: $28.7 billion in federal funds, $4.7 billion in…

Media

Read More: Can Other Funds Help Balance the State Budget?

State Budget

Is State Spending “Cut to the Bone”?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 3, 2017

One of the justifications Gov. Wolf uses to raise taxes—for the fifth time in nine years—is that state government spending has been relatively restrained. This argument suggests that other…

Media

Read More: Is State Spending “Cut to the Bone”?