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.

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 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

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

APRIL 20, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Poll Shows Voters Support Pension Reform, I&R, and Spending Limits

Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released results of a recently commissioned statewide measuring Pennsylvanians' opinion of three landmark reforms.  The poll of 700 registered voters was conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research Company between April 7 and 12, 2010.

JUNE 3, 2009 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE, NATHAN BENEFIELD

Pennsylvanians Deserve Open Budget Debate

With the approach of June 30th and the end of the state’s fiscal year comes the annual argument in Harrisburg over Pennsylvania’s budget.  With Senate Republicans having passed a spending plan that sheers $1.7 billion from Gov. Rendell’s $29 billion proposal, the debate promises to be especially acrimonious.

FEBRUARY 12, 2009 | Policy Report by NATHAN BENEFIELD, ELIZABETH STELLE

Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009

Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009 identifies $5 billion in unhealthy state spending in FY 2008-09 and offers a series of recommendations to both resolve the current revenue shortfall and reduce the size and burden of government on Pennsylvanians by $1,600 annually for each family of four.

OCTOBER 1, 2008 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Reduce Spending Now, or Increase Taxes Later

$281 million budget shortfall puts taxpayers at risk  HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation renewed its call for Governor Rendell and the General Assembly to take action to prevent a potential multi-billion dollar tax increase in 2009, following the Pennsylvania Department of R

JUNE 2, 2008 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Put Pennsylvania on a Spending Diet

The Burden of Taxes In 2008, the average working Pennsylvanian will labor 111 days just to pay his or her federal, state, and local taxes—the equivalent of working January 1 to April 21 without compensation. Pennsylvanians pay, on average, approximately $13,000 per person in

APRIL 15, 2008 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Time for a Spending Diet

As Pennsylvania taxpayers breath a collective sigh of relief after completing their 2007 tax returns, another tax day is looming. But this is a day to celebrate. It’s Tax Freedom Day. Unlike April 15—the day we realize that we really work for the Government—Tax Freedom Day is the day we finally begin to work for our