FEBRUARY 7, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 Preview

The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years. However, as the economy continues to struggle out of a recession and with increasing costs in public welfare, corrections, pensions, and debt, the FY 2012-13 budget will require even more difficult decisions by the General Assembly and Governor Corbett to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity.

FEBRUARY 6, 2012 | Feature by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Memo on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee "Deal"

Memo from Matthew Brouillette to Pennsylvania General Assembly on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee "Deal."

FEBRUARY 6, 2012 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit

2012 Budget Resources

The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years. However, as the economy continues to struggle out of a recession and with increasing costs in public welfare, corrections, pensions, and debt, the FY 2012-13 budget will require even more difficult decisions by the General Assembly and Governor Corbett to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity.

FEBRUARY 2, 2012 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS

Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?

As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners and losers."

JANUARY 24, 2012 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE, JAY OSTRICH

Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, Taxpayers

Regardless of where you stand on taxpayer-funded entitlements, few Americans argue against the maintenance of temporary safety nets or modifications aimed at ending welfare fraud, waste and abuse.

JANUARY 11, 2012 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

A Decade Left Behind

My first career started a few decades ago in the classroom as a high school history teacher. While much has changed since then – including the use of technology and smaller class sizes – the one constant is the need for "reform" to improve our education system.

DECEMBER 22, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Why Gov. Corbett Didn't Get His Christmas Wish List

For Christmas this year, Gov. Tom Corbett hoped the legislature would gift wrap three things he could tie a bow on: An education reform package that included school vouchers, state liquor store privatization and legislation addressing gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

DECEMBER 13, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Charter School Reform

Pennsylvania charter school enrollment grew from 982 students in 1997 to 91,000 in 2010, as more parents exercised choice in their children's education. On average, charter schools receive and spend only about 83 percent of what school districts spend for each student. Allowing alternative charter school authorizers would increase opportunities for new and innovative charter schools.

DECEMBER 13, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

The Cost of Pennsylvania's Education Failures

Lawmakers are considering providing school choice to low-income children trapped in violent and failing schools. While some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of school vouchers, the cost of educational failure for all taxpayers through welfare, corrections, and lost jobs is many times greater.

DECEMBER 12, 2011 | Commentary by DAWN MELING

PLCB Must End Costly Mission Conflict

In high school, I threw the javelin in track and field, badly wanting to be recruited by a college athletics program. My dad would joke that he never had to worry about high school boys and unwanted attention towards me because I could out bench press almost every guy in my school. And that was my attitude too - nothing to worry about.