NOVEMBER 9, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Favor School Choice

Commonwealth Foundation sponsoring forum on education vouchers, state budget and spending cuts in wake of poll results

The Commonwealth Foundation reinforced this message by releasing a poll today that shows that half of Pennsylvanians support education vouchers in their state. The poll, conducted one day before the election, revealed that 50 percent of Pennsylvanians think that education vouchers should be used for those who want to send their children to a private school, rather than paying taxes to a public school that may be underperforming or failing.

NOVEMBER 8, 2010 | News Release by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a "Pipeline to Nowhere"

Memo from Matt Brouillette

Just this past Tuesday, Pennsylvania voters rejected Gov. Rendell's overspending ways. With Governor-elect Corbett and the new legislature facing a multi-billion dollar deficit, now is not the time to allow a lame-duck PennVEST Board waste another $12 million on a pipeline to nowhere.

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government

Electorate says it's time to reduce spending, lower taxes, and restore self-governance

Yesterday, millions of Pennsylvanians collectively hit the brakes on runaway government in Washington and Harrisburg. In race after race, they voted against years of over-spending, over-borrowing, and under-performing. Voters also sent the clear message that they don't want to be governed by the right, the left or the center; they want to govern themselves and for meddling government to just get out of the way!

OCTOBER 29, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Former Rep. Jeff Coleman Rejoins Commonwealth Foundation

The Commonwealth Foundation is pleased to announce that former State Representative Jeff Coleman has rejoined the Foundation as a senior fellow. Mr. Coleman was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2000 at the age of 25, defeating a longtime incumbent. He served four years in the House, developing a reputation as one of Harrisburg's leading advocates for free-market policies.

OCTOBER 12, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Commonwealth Foundation President Calls Pension Reform "Bailout for Union Bosses"

HB 2497 represents more lame-duck lunacy

Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement regarding HB 2497 -- the so-called SERS & PSERS pension reform legislation currently before the Pennsylvania Senate:

OCTOBER 8, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Former PA House Speaker Bob O'Donnell Joins Commonwealth Foundation

Will serve as Senior Fellow for the Center for Educational Excellence

The Commonwealth Foundation is pleased to announce that former Democratic Pennsylvania House Speaker Robert W. O'Donnell has joined its Center for Educational Excellence as a senior fellow. A Philadelphia-based attorney who served nearly two decades in the Pennsylvania legislature, Mr. O'Donnell rose through the ranks of leadership, serving as caucus chairman, majority whip, majority leader and Speaker of the House, and is admired and respected on both sides of the aisle.

OCTOBER 7, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Needs True Pension Reform

The state pension time bomb is taking front stage again in the waning days of the 2009-2010 legislative session. The Senate is revisiting HB 2497—the $27 billion pension deferral plan passed by the House in June. In a new video, CF Director of Policy Research Nate Benefield sits down with Senior Fellow Rick Dr

OCTOBER 5, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Charter Schools Give Children a Choice and a Chance

The Commonwealth Foundation provided important perspective today on Pennsylvania's charter and cyber schools in response to Auditor General Jack Wagner's recommendations, including a moratorium on expanding public schools of choice.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

PA House Democrats Unveil Nation's Highest Severance Tax

Tax proposal would fund special interests' demands, hamper state economy

A proposal by Pennsylvania House Democrats to levy severance taxes on natural gas would make Pennsylvania the most heavily-taxed natural gas producing state in the nation. At 39 cents per thousand cubic feet (MCF) of natural gas extracted, the Democratic proposal far exceeds even Governor Rendell's original proposal, and dwarfs Texas's rate of 7.5% of market value. The tax would increase in future years if and when gas prices rise, but would remain the same if gas prices fall.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Commonwealth Foundation Launches Online Portal Tracking Education Spending and Achievement in Pennsylvania

openPAgov.org: Subpar student achievement widespread, even as teacher salaries, property taxes steadily rise

How much does education cost the average Pennsylvania taxpayer? What percentage of students passes basic achievement tests? How much is per pupil spending in a given district? What are the annual salaries of teachers and administrators in my school district? Has student achievement test performance increased or decreased in the last decade?