Prosperity
Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity
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…
Read More: Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperityEvery 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.
Related Issues
Education
Jennifer Stefano discussing Democrats’ expensive childcare plans on Fox Business
Commonwealth Foundation's Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano discusses the Democrats' wrong-headed and pricey childcare policies on Fox Business.
Media
Read More: Jennifer Stefano discussing Democrats’ expensive childcare plans on Fox BusinessProsperity
Top Unemployment Compensation Reforms for Pennsylvania
Overview Pennsylvania should reform its unemployment compensation system to pay down state debt, incentivize hiring, increase labor participation, and minimize fraudulent claims. Reforms should protect unemployment compensation for the individuals…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Top Unemployment Compensation Reforms for PennsylvaniaRegulation
Op-Ed: Pennsylvanians can’t afford Biden’s multi-trillion tax-and-spend plan
With the legislative sausage-making now underway, it’s likely Pennsylvanians would find the menu of specific tax hikes distasteful.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Pennsylvanians can’t afford Biden’s multi-trillion tax-and-spend planEnergy
Op-Ed: Climate Change Regulations in Pennsylvania: No Discernable Benefits
What happens next in Pennsylvania’s legal and legislative battles over proposed climate change regulations will largely depend on who controls the narrative about carbon dioxide emissions and their impact.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Climate Change Regulations in Pennsylvania: No Discernable BenefitsEnergy
Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a controversial compact designed to tax electricity producers for emitting carbon. The Wolf administration is attempting to join the initiative through regulation in…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)Energy
Op-Ed: Climate Regulations Reach Critical Turning Point in Pennsylvania
September…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Climate Regulations Reach Critical Turning Point in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency
The 2021–2022 Fiscal Code contains at least $5.5 billion in federal and state funds earmarked for special projects across the state, up from $120 million last year. Most of this…
Backgrounder
Read More: Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget TransparencyEnergy
Op-Ed: Young Pennsylvanians want to fight climate change. Our leaders want to pretend they are.
Governor Wolf’s push to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is more about appearances than real change. It’s time for Pennsylvania to instate policy that helps the environment, boosts revenue,…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Young Pennsylvanians want to fight climate change. Our leaders want to pretend they are.Energy
Op-Ed: Wolf climate change plan will kill Pa. jobs
Joining RGGI will hurt our economy. States that participate in the RGGI have seen major decreases in goods manufacturing (down 8.6% from 2007 to 2019) thanks to rising energy costs.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Wolf climate change plan will kill Pa. jobsEnergy
Op-Ed: In Pennsylvania, Scientific and Economic Realities Unsettle Climate Change Morality Plays
As the economic, legal, and scientific arguments against RGGI continue to gain traction, the fallback position for Wolf is to posture as an advocate for children who will supposedly be…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: In Pennsylvania, Scientific and Economic Realities Unsettle Climate Change Morality PlaysState Budget
TEL-Tale Heart: Crafting Effective Policies to Reduce Spending
Executive Summary Increases in state spending do not result in greater prosperity for state residents, across an array of measures. In fact, increased state spending can reduce economic growth. Reducing…
Report
Read More: TEL-Tale Heart: Crafting Effective Policies to Reduce SpendingHealth Care
How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to Rebuild
The 2021 state budget includes some policy changes to spur recovery and better governance, but much more needs to occur.
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to RebuildState Budget
2021 Budget Takeaways
Last week, the Pa. General Assembly passed a state budget deal that includes $40 billion in the General Fund budget, increases in tax credit scholarships, and a number of policy…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 2021 Budget TakeawaysEducation
Excellence in Education for All Act Summary
What is the Excellence in Education for All Act? The Excellence in Education for All Act (Senate Bill 1) is an exciting bill that seeks to ensure more Pennsylvania…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Excellence in Education for All Act SummaryEnergy
Governor’s Lone Wolf Approach Leaves Families Wanting
Throughout his two terms in office, Governor Tom Wolf has showcased his preference to act unilaterally and consistent unwillingness to work with the state legislature. The unprecedented power Wolf has…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Governor’s Lone Wolf Approach Leaves Families WantingEducation
Understanding Education Opportunity Accounts (EOAs)
Education Opportunity Accounts (EOAs) are publicly funded accounts that provide families with direct access to educational resources.
Commentary
Read More: Understanding Education Opportunity Accounts (EOAs)Education
Are Pa. Public Schools Underfunded?
Pennsylvania spends more per student than the vast majority of states. Education spending has significantly increased over the past decade. Scroll down to see how much funding your district receives…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Are Pa. Public Schools Underfunded?State Budget
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Relief Funds
During the pandemic, Pennsylvania directed more funding to closed schools than to health care.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania COVID-19 Relief FundsState Budget
Reinvigorating Pennsylvania with One-time American Rescue Plan Funds
Pennsylvania’s chronic overspending, mediocre tax structure, and high regulatory burden are limiting growth and investment. We must pass reforms in these areas to make our economy healthier and more dynamic.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Reinvigorating Pennsylvania with One-time American Rescue Plan FundsState Budget
Clear the Red Tape to Rebuild a Stronger Pennsylvania
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Wolf repealed regulations to allow our healthcare sector to respond to the evolving crisis. Nonmedical regulatory restrictions—such as permitting cocktails to-go—were also…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Clear the Red Tape to Rebuild a Stronger PennsylvaniaHealth Care
7 Signs Pa.’s Pandemic Recovery Is Falling Behind
Pennsylvania business closures continue to be among the worst in the nation. …
Fact Sheet
Read More: 7 Signs Pa.’s Pandemic Recovery Is Falling Behind