Commonwealth Insight

• August 10, 2016

Commonwealth Insight is the podcast of the Commonwealth Foundation. Every other week, we'll post new episodes featuring leaders and influencers in our state and country. Subscribe on iTunes, SoundCloud, Google…

Commentary

State Budget

Philadelphia’s Cigarette Tax Falls Short

• July 8, 2016

Philadelphia collected nearly $59 million in cigarette taxes between July 2015 and June 2016. Well below the $77.5 million originally anticipated by state lawmakers, according to Anna Orso…

Media

Education

2015 SAT Scores

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 29, 2016

The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is an important indicator of public education quality in Pennsylvania. Currently, the commonwealth ranks 36th out of the 50 states and 3 US territories (Washington…

Media

State Budget

House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher Taxes

• June 28, 2016

House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher Taxes Proposal Side-Steps Broad Taxes but Relies on Unreliable Cigarette Tax Hike June 28, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Monday night,…

Press Release

Government Accountability

A Superhero President? Dream On

• Nathan Benefield
• June 13, 2016

Note: This commentary appeared in the Lancaster LNP, among other news outlets. If the thought of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in the Oval Office frightens you, you’re not…

Commentary

Energy

Philly Should Reject Mayor’s Tax-a-Cola Plan

• Matthew Brouillette
• May 10, 2016

Mayor Kenney’s soda tax would nearly double the average cost of a 12-pack of soda – hitting hardest those who least can afford it, not to mention small retailers, bottlers,…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Commonwealth Foundation Board Names New President and CEO

• April 12, 2016

Commonwealth Foundation Board Names New President & CEO Executive Vice President Charles Mitchell to Take Helm on July 1 April 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of…

Press Release

Taxes & Economy

Self-Worth, not Stuff, Should be Welfare’s Goal

• Elizabeth Stelle
• December 24, 2015

In the movies, values like hope, joy, and peace ultimately triumph over materialism. Unfortunately, government has yet to grasp that stuff alone doesn’t bring lasting happiness…

Commentary

State Budget

Fresh Start, or Stale Policies of Decades Past?

• Nathan Benefield
• September 30, 2015

At the beginning of 2015, we heard a lot about a “fresh start” for Pennsylvania. But nine months later, it's difficult to identify anything fresh about Gov. Wolf's tax, borrow…

Media