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JUNE 23, 2010 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania
A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania identifies opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-11 budget. The report also offers a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on Pennsylvanians.
APRIL 30, 2010 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Does Legislative Size Matter?
Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee
In summary, our analysis suggests that a reduction in the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly could improve the lawmaking process, but only if it includes other, more comprehensive reforms such as those I just outlined. We, at the Commonwealth Foundation, would be pleased to work with you on any of these good government reform measures.
APRIL 8, 2010 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE
Ten Tips to Balance the Budget
Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten ideas to balance the state budget, this year and the years to come, without raising taxes:
MARCH 11, 2010 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD, ELIZABETH STELLE
The Case for a Citizen Legislature
The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest in the country, while it ranks near the bottom in economic growth and freedom. This reality can be addressed by a number of reforms that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Pennsylvania's legislature.
FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | Testimony by KATRINA CURRIE
Whistle-Blower Protection
Taxpayers deserve to know when their money is being wasted and used for illegal acts, and whistleblower protection laws help ensure transparency and accountability. Misuse of taxpayer funds is not limited to public agencies.
JANUARY 21, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
CF Challenges Gov. Rendell to Explain What's In the Bill
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told Fox News that voters oppose the current health care reform proposal because "the administration and its supporters, myself included, haven't done a good enough job explaining to people what's in this bill." The Commonwealth Foundation formally welcomes Gov. Rendell to join their efforts to educate the public on the latest health care bills.
DECEMBER 3, 2009 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Spending Transparency & Accountability
There is a national movement to make government spending and finances accessible to taxpayers. Pennsylvania lags behind, but state lawmakers are moving toward greater transparency.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE, JOE STERNS
Reforming the Budget Process in Pennsylvania
In the political world, 2009 will be remembered as the year that Pennsylvania went longer than any other state without a budget. The Commonwealth went months past the June 30th deadline, let state workers go unpaid, and used service agencies as pawns in negotiations.
This has been par for the course in Harrisburg, as every budget under Gov. Ed Rendell since 2003 has been tardy. This failure to enact timely and fiscally responsible budgets suggests the need to reform the process to both protect taxpayers and provide core government functions.
JULY 31, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania Pulls the Shade on Sunshine
A mere two days after celebrating the first open budget negotiations, Pennsylvania's legislative leaders have decided to step back into the shadows. In suspending the sunshined conference committee, and agreeing to convene in closed session with Governor Rendell and his staff, lawmakers have reverted to the same politics-as-usual they promised to end.
JULY 29, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Victory for Transparency in State Government
HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matt Brouillette issued the following statement today in response to the General Assembly’s decision to make Conference Committee meetings on the state budget open to the public:
