Center for Taxes & Fiscal Responsibility

The Center for Taxes & Fiscal Responsibility works to reduce the size, scope, and “tax-take” of state government; restore the government sector to its proper and limited role in our lives; and make government more open, transparent, and accountable to citizens.




Research Items

MAY 6, 2013 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Public Pensions: Past, Present, and Future

Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. This publication addresses the common myths and benefits of switching new employees from a defined benefit pension plan that guarantees a government income for life to a defined contribution plan that requires the government to regularly deposit a guaranteed percentage of a worker’s salary into a personal retirement

APRIL 26, 2013 | Commentary by TOM SMITH

States Fix Medicaid Where the President Won’t

That's why leaders in statehouses across the country should do the right thing and follow Pennsylvania's lead. Instead of waiting for dollars and dictates from D.C. to expand a broken program, our states can save our ailing health care system by fixing Medicaid themselves.

APRIL 25, 2013 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania's Pension Crisis: Myths and Facts

Pennsylvania’s two main government worker pension systems, the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System (SERS), are dramatically underfunded. Together these funds owe more than $47 billion in unfunded liabilities.

APRIL 17, 2013 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Spending Increases By Department

Pennsylvania State Budget

Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars inflated total spending. This budget, however, still reflects a reduction from 2010-11 spending levels when adjusting for inflation. This is the second in a series of fact sheets on the state budget.

APRIL 7, 2013 | Commentary by PRIYA ABRAHAM

Protect Pennsylvanians from Pension Tsunami

Pennsylvania's pension crisis is about to hit Pennsylvania homeowners and taxpayers, and the results won't be pretty.

APRIL 2, 2013 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Medicaid Expansion Myths and Facts

For our fiscal health, and the health of families, we desperately need the flexibility to allow state officials to design a solution that fits the needs of Pennsylvanians-not an expansion of an already failing program.

MARCH 26, 2013 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit

Pennsylvania State Budget

Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars inflated total spending. This budget, however, still reflects a reduction from 2010-11 spending levels when adjusting for inflation.

MARCH 26, 2013 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Budget 2013

Pennsylvania State Budget

Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars inflated total spending. This budget, however, still reflects a reduction from 2010-11 spending levels when adjusting for inflation.

MARCH 20, 2013 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve Later

When the governor released his budget last month, the loudest opposition hinged on Medicaid - government insurance for the poor and disabled. Advocates of expanding the program via the Affordable Care Act and its "free" federal money pointed out that the governor's decision was a heartless refusal to help Pennsylvania's poor. But this is not the case.

FEBRUARY 28, 2013 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

No "Free Lunch" with Medicaid Expansion

If I offered you a "free lunch" every day for the rest of your life, you'd take it, right? Oh, but there are a few strings attached. The lunch may not taste very fresh, and I'm paying for it by taking money from your kids' college fund. I should also mention that the free lunch is really a buy-one-get-one deal—you have to buy a lunch to get my free offer.

Total Records: 452


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Who are We?

The Commonwealth Foundation is Pennsylvania's free-market think tank.  The Commonwealth Foundation crafts free-market policies, convinces Pennsylvanians of their benefits, and counters attacks on liberty.


Should public employees be guaranteed a taxpayer-funded retirement income for life?

From Cyber School to West Point

May 17

Hannah Tuffy, 20, is one of the first cyber school students to be accepted at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The accomplished Scranton native credits her success to the flexible program she enjoyed at cyber school, which allowed her to excel academically while creating room for ...