FEBRUARY 22, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Welfare Spending

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 16, 2012 | Policy Report by ELIZABETH STELLE

Ending the Cycle: Reforming Welfare in Pennsylvania

Government welfare, with its goal to provide a helping hand to those in need, has instead become a vast series of programs that fall far short of the good intentions behind them. Welfare spending in the Keystone State consumes a growing share of the state budget, and is projected to crowd out spending on other government programs in the near fut

MAY 20, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Welfare Spending & Medicaid

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed FY 2011-12 budget would represent the first time General Fund spending on the Department of Public Welfare would exceed that for the Department of Education.

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

JANUARY 17, 2011 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes

Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots at the notion that Harrisburg can close Pennsylvania's a potential $5 billion budget gap without a tax increase.

JANUARY 11, 2011 | Policy Report by STEPHEN A. MOSES

Long-Term Care Reform

More Access to Better Care at Lower Costs

Long-term care is very expensive whether provided in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or in someone's home. Medicaid pays for most professional long-term care (LTC) in Pennsylvania.  LTC currently costs Pennsylvania taxpayers $6.6 billion per year, making up 40% of all Medicaid spending (much higher than the national average)

OCTOBER 6, 2010 | Testimony by ELIZABETH STELLE, NATHAN BENEFIELD

Immigration Verification and Welfare Fraud

Testimony to the House State Government Committee

While this legislation would impact all state benefits, including state contracts, unemployment compensation, and higher education grants, its greatest impact would be in the Department of Public Welfare, specifically on Medical Assistance programs (Medicaid).  HB 1359 would like result in saving taxpayers millions of dollars by ensuring al

JUNE 23, 2010 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania

A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania identifies opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-11 budget.  The report also offers a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on

JUNE 2, 2010 | Testimony by ELIZABETH STELLE

Welfare Fraud and Abuse

Testimony of Elizabeth Stelle to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee

Welfare advocates justify spending increases by emphasizing that they're necessary to provide for Pennsylvania's vulnerable residents, including children, older adults, and the disabled. However, we must consider the efficiency and the outcomes of such programs. If resources are being squandered on those who don't need them and are defraudin

APRIL 8, 2010 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE

Ten Tips to Balance the Budget

Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten ideas to balance the state budget, this year and the years to come, without raising taxes: