RSS FEEDS
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 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 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.
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.
May 5, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Natural Gas Taxes and Fees
The Marcellus Shale is a large and difficult-to-drill geological formation roughly a mile or more underground throughout more than two-thirds of Pennsylvania that contains natural gas.
April 22, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania Education Spending
K-12 public education spending has dramatically increased in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to more than $25 billion in 2009—a 133% increase in per-student spending, after adjusting for inflation. Pennsylvania school districts spent more than $13,000 per student in 2008-09.
April 22, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
School Taxpayer Referendum & Property Tax Relief
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 fifth in a series of fact sheets on the state budget.
April 15, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
SB1 for Smarties
Not sure how SB1 will affect you, the taxpayer or parent? Here are some important things you need to know!
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.
