RSS FEEDS
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.
Topics
Research Items
JUNE 30, 2011 | Infographic by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania Budget for Smarties
Five Fiscal Facts about the PA State Budget You Might Have Missed
The total state operating budget is $64 billion...and will be reduced for the first time in at least 40 years. While adults employed in public schools complain education is being cut to the bone, school districts have amassed $3 billion in reserves thanks to dramatic increases in state aid and property taxes. There is no "surplus". State government is not paying all its bills, including passing off payments for pensions onto our children. Pennsylvania will soon become the 37th state in the na
JUNE 30, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
General Fund Spending in Budget Deal
The FY 2011-12 budget deal includes $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, as part of the state's approximately $64 billion total operating budget. The deal represents a reduction of $3 billion from FY 2010-11—the first reduction in the operating budget in at least 40 years. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and includes no new taxes.
JUNE 23, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Give Voters a Say on School Taxes
Five years ago, state lawmakers passed Act 1 to provide property tax relief and give voters a voice on school tax increases. But since slot machine gambling was introduced in Pennsylvania, school property taxes have grown by almost $700 per homeowner. And yet 98 percent of school districts have avoided voter referendum on tax hikes. It is time to give voters real control over school taxes.
JUNE 21, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania State Government Union Contracts
On June 30, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from taxpayers exceeds $4.6 billion.
JUNE 15, 2011 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS
Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our Grandkids
Politicians last year passed their version of pension reform by deferring existing unfunded liabilities, making them even more unaffordable. The situation was so severe that they felt compelled to include a legislative provision that effectively capped contributions for several years despite repeated and significant concerns raised by independent actuaries that such a move would only further shortchange already underfunded plans.
JUNE 7, 2011 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE
The Real Victims of a Severance Tax
Jim VanBlarcom, a busy Bradford County dairy farmer, set a work day aside to come to Harrisburg and tell his story to Gov. Tom Corbett's Marcellus Shale panel. Royalty money from leasing farmland helped him double his dairy herd size, and he's glad the industry's here.
JUNE 6, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania State Pension Liabilities
PSERS and SERS project total taxpayer contributions will increase from $1.1 billion this year to more than $5.5 billion in 2016—a 421% increase in five years.
JUNE 2, 2011 | Policy Brief by NICHOLAS FETT
Pennsylvania's State Union Contracts
On June 30, 2011, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from taxpayers exceeds $4.6 billion. Here are some of the main provisions concerning wages, benefits, and key provisions in the contracts include.
MAY 26, 2011 | Policy Report by LEONARD GILROY, HARRIS KENNY, KATRINA CURRIE, ELIZABETH STELLE
Privatizing "Yellow Pages" Government
This report surveys the scope of Yellow Pages Government in Pennsylvania, looks at examples of state and local privatization throughout the country, and outlines best practices to equip lawmakers to successfully transition government out of unnecessary services by implementing a variety of models.
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.
