MARCH 15, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State and School Pension Costs

Pennsylvania taxpayers fund two statewide pension plans for government employees—the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) for state employees and the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) for school employees. PSERS and SERS project total taxpayer contributions for these two plans will increase from $1.7 billion in 20

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

JUNE 21, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Government Union Contracts

On June 30, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August.  These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from taxpayers exceeds $4.6 billion.

JUNE 15, 2011 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS

Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our Grandkids

Politicians last year passed their version of pension reform by deferring existing unfunded liabilities, making them even more unaffordable. The situation was so severe that they felt compelled to include a legislative provision that effectively capped contributions for several years despite repeated and significant concerns raised by

JUNE 6, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Pension Liabilities

PSERS and SERS project total taxpayer contributions will increase from $1.1 billion this year to more than $5.5 billion in 2016—a 421% increase in five years.

JUNE 2, 2011 | Policy Brief by NICHOLAS FETT

Pennsylvania's State Union Contracts

On June 30, 2011, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from taxpayers exceeds $4.6 billion.  Here are some of the main provisions concerning wages, benefits, and key provisions in the contracts include.

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 5, 2011 | Compilation by ANTONY DAVIES, LAURA VICINIE, JONATHAN SCOTT, KAIT WOLF, LAUREN MONDSCHEIN, DEVIN BOWEN, NATHAN BENEFIELD

Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania

A Compilation

Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania represents a partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation and the department of economics at Duquesne University.  Key findings in these five papers include Over the past sixty years, increases in union membership rates correlate with slower growth in real per

JANUARY 17, 2011 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition.  To provide a roadmap for success in this critical endeavor, the Commonwealth Foundation has compiled a list of 80 policy recommendations for Gov. Corbett and state legi