MAY 11, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

A Penny Saved or a Penny Burned?

For any family, saving a few dollars for the future and paying off credit card bills would be the fiscally prudent path.  Likewise, state lawmakers should resist the temptation to spend every penny they have, and consider retaining any surplus to pay off debt or put toward pensions.

APRIL 27, 2011 | Commentary by GILES HOWARD

A Pitt Student’s Take on Corbett’s Budget Proposal

As a Pitt student, I will not be joining in those manufactured protests, nor will I be participating in lobbying activities like Pitt's yearly "Harrisburg Day" when the University spends tuition money to send busloads of students and administrators to the state capitol to lobby for increased funding. Indeed, as a Pitt student, I think that Corbett is doing the right thing.

APRIL 15, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State & Local Taxpayer Debt

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and proposes no new taxes. This is the fourth in a series of fact sheets on the state budget.

APRIL 15, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Spending Increases by Department

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and proposes no new taxes. This is the third in a series of fact sheets on the state budget. 

APRIL 11, 2011 | Commentary by JAY OSTRICH

White-out not Needed for Higher Ed Cuts

Today, the percentage of students enrolling at Pennsylvania's public universities who don't graduate four year ranges from 42-89 percent, with Penn State boasting a mere 58 percent. As for their 19 branch campuses, that success rates drops to anywhere from 11 to 48 percent.

APRIL 6, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Higher Education Spending & Performance

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and proposes no new taxes. This is the second in a series of fact sheets on the state budget. 

MARCH 24, 2011 | Commentary by MICHAEL POLIAKOFF, CHARLES MITCHELL

The Bubble Bursts at Penn State

The story is told that when someone asked John D. Rockefeller how much money is enough, he responded, "Just one dollar more."  Penn State's President, Graham Spanier, like most college leaders, seems to agree.

MARCH 10, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Corbett Budget Offers a New Path

Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."  For too long Pennsylvania state government has been spending beyond its means and the result is clear—high taxes, massive debt and stagnant economic growth. Gov. Corbett's budget represents an important step along a different path that puts taxpayers first.

MARCH 7, 2011 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Understanding the Pennsylvania State Budget

Taxing, Borrowing, & Spending

Pennsylvania's total state operating budget for FY 2010-11 is approximately $65.4 billion-or $5,193 for every man, woman and child in the commonwealth.  This policy brief looks at the entire state operating budget in order to give policymakers and interested citizens a better understanding of how Pennsylvania's total operating budget is constructed in order to build a better one.

MARCH 7, 2011 | Policy Brief by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Reality-Based Budgeting

Prioritizing Pennsylvania’s Spending Plans

Pennsylvania state government will tax and spend more than $65 billion this fiscal year.  With the loss of federal stimulus money and the exhaustion of all one-time expenditures, the legislature and new governor will soon be forced to reconcile a budget shortfall that could be as large as $5 billion.