MAY 22, 2012 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE, GEORGE LEADER

Commonsense Can Correct Corrections

Kyle, a convicted burglar sentenced to 1-3 years in Pennsylvania state prison, was granted parole in June 2011, but spent an extra 100 days in jail, not because he failed to serve time for his crime, but because he couldn't pay an administrative fine.  According to the Department of Corrections, his due was $13.70.

MAY 14, 2012 | Feature by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Real Corrections Reform, Right Now

A 21st Century Vision for Pennsylvania Corrections

Albert Einstein is said to have remarked that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We the undersigned submit that unfortunately, that same definition could be applied to Pennsylvania's current criminal justice policies. What we have been doing is locking more and more people up for lon

MAY 8, 2012 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

CF Applauds Pa. Senate Budget Use of TPA Index

HARRISBURG, PA (05.08.12) - The Commonwealth Foundation applauded Pennsylvania Senate leadership today for using the Taxpayer Protection Act index - inflation plus population growth - to compose their fiscal year 2012-13 budget.  

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

APRIL 10, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

State Spending Limits for Pennsylvania

Prior to 2011-12, Pennsylvania's total operating budget had increased for at least 40 consecutive years. The Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) would force lawmakers to limit government spending during boom years, put money aside in a Rainy Day Fund, and prepare for periods of economic stagnation.

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.

MARCH 14, 2012 | Commentary by JONATHAN HUMMA, NATHAN BENEFIELD

Pennsylvania's Fork in the Road on Transportation Spending

Motorists frustrated with high gas prices should be on the alert—your pain at the pump could get worse, and it has nothing to do with Middle East tensions or gas company profits. Sadly, many in the transportation industry and some lawmakers in Pennsylvania believe the only way to fix our roads is to increase gasoline taxes and charge dri

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 29, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania K-12 Education Spending

Pennsylvania's K-12 education revenue increased from $13 billion in 1995-96 to $26 billion in 2009-10. Adjusted for inflation, that represents a 44% increase in revenue per student.  

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