DECEMBER 16, 2009 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE

Five Threats to Pennsylvania's Prosperity

Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45^th in job growth, 46^th in personal income growth, and 47^th in population growth. Pennsylvania has also faired poorly in independent evaluations of states' business climates, in large part because of having the 11^th highest state and local tax burden. Not surprisingly, the state also ranks low in interstate migration, having lost 56,000 net residents to other states from 2000 to 2008.

NOVEMBER 30, 2009 | Commentary by ELIZABETH BRYAN, NATHAN BENEFIELD

Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?

With Pittsburgh on the brink of bankruptcy thanks to its continual out-of-control spending, Mayor Ravenstahl and his allies on City Council have hatched a new scheme to collect more money to pay for their profligate ways: a 1% tuition tax on the city's financially-strapped college students.

NOVEMBER 23, 2009 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Pensions and Taxes

Pennsylvania's statewide pension plans for public school employees, state workers, legislators, judges and other government employees - the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System (SERS) - will require significantly higher taxpayer contributions in the 2012-13 fiscal year and beyond.

OCTOBER 14, 2009 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS

Punishing the Next Generation: The Rendell Pension Legacy

As the Rendell administration moves inexorably toward its finish line in January 2011, it is reasonable to begin considering the issues awaiting the next governor. Of significant note is Rendell's inability to enact comprehensive and sustainable reforms of public pensions and retiree medical plans. Obviously, the General Assembly is inextricably linked to any reform efforts-or lack thereof.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE, RICHARD DREYFUSS

Philly Pension "Reform": A Vote to Raise Taxes Now and in the Future

The state budget impasse hinges on the inability of Governor Rendell and the House Democrat Majority to garner enough votes for state tax increases.  Yet for now it seems enough state legislators have agreed to raise taxes on Philadelphia residents, businesses and visitors.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

CF Analysis of Municipal Pension Bill

Commonwealth Foundation Senior Fellow Richard C. Dreyfuss - an actuary and former HR executive for Hershey Foods who is one of PA's leading experts on state and municipal pensions presented a summary of House Bill 1828, which proposes a 1 percent sales tax hike in Philadelphia to bolster the city's municipal pension system, as well as a state takeover of Pittsburgh and other municipal pension system.

AUGUST 12, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Philadelphia Pension “Reform” is Generational Theft

CF testifies to PA Senate on HB 1828 

HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss testified today before the Pennsylvania Senate Finance Committee that changes in the state pension code proposed by HB 1828—which would allow the city of Philadelphia to defer pension payments—are fiscally irresponsible.

APRIL 6, 2009 | Policy Brief by RICHARD DREYFUSS

A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania's Retiree and Medical Liability Challenges

Pennsylvania maintains over 3,000 public pension plans at the state, city and municipal levels, the most of any state and approximately 25% of all such plans in America.  Over 2,200 of these plans are of the often financially and politically problematic “defined-benefit” genre.  According to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Retirement Commission (PERC), over 67 percent of these plans have fewer than 10 members.

MARCH 31, 2009 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS

Philadelphia's "Pension Reform" is Generational Theft

Faced with significant budget deficits and the burden of ever-increasing pension contributions, Philadelphia is attempting to finesse itself out of a financial dilemma.

In simple terms, the city cannot afford its long-term pension commitments. Its proposed remedy is to lobby for changes in the state pension code that would allow it to further transfer these costs to future generations.

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

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.