Every family, business owner, and taxpayer in Pennsylvania should be able to increase their financial security without undue interference from our state government. Free-market policies that limit taxes, allow entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs, and offer stability to families will put our state on track to become a national leader. Policies that enact spending limits, cut taxes, and reduce regulations will help Pennsylvania avoid debt and restore sound fiscal planning that will benefit citizens in the years to come.

Education

Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll Findings

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • April 6, 2023

Summary The Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll, conducted March 24-29, is the first in a series of quarterly surveys taking the pulse of voters on the “state of the…

Memo

Read More: Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll Findings

Prosperity

What is real freedom?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 2, 2023

Originally published at LNP Gov. Josh Shapiro likes to talk about “real freedom” — a familiar campaign promise repeated eight times in his inaugural speech and twice in his…

Media Hit

Read More: What is real freedom?

Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage

  • March 23, 2023

Summary One percent of Pennsylvania workers earn the minimum wage, an all-time low.Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Recent analysis by Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Minimum Wage

Prosperity

Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the way

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2023

Originally published in The Patriot-News Who is in poverty—and why—is often mischaracterized by both the political right and left. Some blame the poor for lacking a work ethic.

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the way

State Budget

Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short

  • Andrew Holman, Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2023

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For…

Media Hit

Read More: Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short

Energy

Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget Address

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 7, 2023

Profligacy Exacerbates Budget Deficit  Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget calls for $45.9 billion in ongoing General Fund spending and $43 billion in net state revenues (after refunds). Thus, Pennsylvania has…

Report

Read More: Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget Address

Prosperity

Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity

  • Stephen Bloom
  • March 5, 2023

Originally published on LNP On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his first annual state budget address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. While he hasn’t unveiled the details of…

Media Hit

Read More: Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity

Prosperity

Pennsylvanians Demand Expanded Energy Choices

  • March 1, 2023

Harrisburg, PA – According to a statewide poll of registered voters, Pennsylvanians are pessimistic about the state’s future and want state leaders to address surging energy costs. The survey…

Press Release

Read More: Pennsylvanians Demand Expanded Energy Choices

Prosperity

Tearing Down Barriers to Prosperity: How More Economic Freedom Can Reduce Poverty and Boost Prosperity in Pennsylvania

  • Meg Tuszynski
  • February 21, 2023

Key Findings Economic freedom, specifically lower government spending, strongly and consistently offers both increases in prosperity and reductions in poverty.States that gained economic freedom from 2010 to 2019 tend to…

Executive Summary

Read More: Tearing Down Barriers to Prosperity: How More Economic Freedom Can Reduce Poverty and Boost Prosperity in Pennsylvania

Energy

Too much regulation raises energy prices too high

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 7, 2023

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On average, electric bills for Pennsylvanians are up 73 percent since 2020. The increases range from 55% in east (for PECO customers) to…

Media Hit

Read More: Too much regulation raises energy prices too high

Energy

Review of Regulation Constitutional Amendment

  • January 26, 2023

What is the Constitutional Amendment on Legislative Review of Regulations? This amendment would allow the legislature to reject a proposed regulation by passing a concurrent resolution with a simple majority…

Backgrounder

Read More: Review of Regulation Constitutional Amendment

Education

Speaker Rozzi’s Listening Tour Testimony

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 25, 2023

Mr. Speaker and members of the working group, thank you for allowing Commonwealth Foundation to provide brief comments on the importance of the house returning to work. My name is…

Testimony

Read More: Speaker Rozzi’s Listening Tour Testimony