APRIL 11, 2012 | Commentary by JOHN BOUDER

Government-run Golf a Taxpayer Double Bogey

Believe it or not, local governments, i.e., taxpayers, own 49 golf courses in Pennsylvania.  One of the poorest performers is Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, owned by Dauphin County taxpayers, which simply doesn't make enough money to cover the interest on its debt.  For years, the Dauphin County General Authority has been caddying

MARCH 21, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Government Debt

Today, Pennsylvanians owe $121 billion in state and local government debt. This equates to more than $9,400 for every person, and almost $38,000 for the average family of four in the commonwealth.

FEBRUARY 29, 2012 | Commentary by STEPHEN BLOOM, JOHN EICHELBERGER

Sounding the Alarm to Save Pennsylvania

A four-alarm fire is engulfing Pennsylvania's economy.  If we don't regain control of the state debt, corrections costs, public welfare growth and government employee pensions, our state taxpayers will be burned, and Pennsylvania's children will inherit only the ashes of our once great commonwealth.   

FEBRUARY 7, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 Preview

The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years. However, as the economy continues to struggle out of a recession and with increasing costs in public welfare, corrections, pensions, and debt, the FY 2

FEBRUARY 6, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit

2012 Budget Resources

The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years. However, as the economy continues to struggle out of a recession and with increasing costs in public welfare, corrections, pensions, and debt, the FY 2

MAY 11, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

A Penny Saved or a Penny Burned?

For any family, saving a few dollars for the future and paying off credit card bills would be the fiscally prudent path.  Likewise, state lawmakers should resist the temptation to spend every penny they have, and consider retaining any surplus to pay off debt or put toward pensions.

APRIL 15, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State & Local Taxpayer Debt

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and proposes no new taxes. This is the fourth in a series of fact sheets on the state budg

MARCH 7, 2011 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Understanding the Pennsylvania State Budget

Taxing, Borrowing, & Spending

Pennsylvania's total state operating budget for FY 2010-11 is approximately $65.4 billion-or $5,193 for every man, woman and child in the commonwealth.  This policy brief looks at the entire state operating budget in order to give policymakers and interested citizens a better understanding of how Pennsylvania's total operating budget is con

DECEMBER 13, 2010 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s Rainbow

These days it's hard enough for Pennsylvania families to think about meeting their obligations let alone piling on more debt.  But that's exactly what outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell did this week, when Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord signed off on Gov. Rendell's final $650 million bond issue, after Auditor General Jack Wagner refused

NOVEMBER 8, 2010 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Corbett's Challenge

As Tom Corbett prepares for his move into the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, he must be realizing the magnitude of what he is about to undertake: the governorship of a state that is facing both a short- and long-term fiscal crisis.