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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 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 2012-13 budget will require even more difficult decisions by the General Assembly and Governor Corbett to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity.

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 future. In addition to being costly, too many welfare programs frequently provide low-quality care to recipients. The result is that Pennsylvania's welfa

FEBRUARY 14, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Corrections 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 2012-13 budget will require even more difficult decisions by the General Assembly and Governor Corbett to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity.

FEBRUARY 8, 2012 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Fireproofing Pennsylvania's Economy

It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our economy, but business as usual will leave taxpayers and future generations with a four-alarm inferno.

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 2012-13 budget will require even more difficult decisions by the General Assembly and Governor Corbett to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity.

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 2012-13 budget will require even more difficult decisions by the General Assembly and Governor Corbett to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity.

FEBRUARY 2, 2012 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS

Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?

As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners and losers."

JANUARY 24, 2012 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE, JAY OSTRICH

Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, Taxpayers

Regardless of where you stand on taxpayer-funded entitlements, few Americans argue against the maintenance of temporary safety nets or modifications aimed at ending welfare fraud, waste and abuse.