Pennsylvania’s complex state budget has enabled policymakers to keep taxpayers in the dark when it comes to state spending. Year after year, some elected officials use budget gimmicks to both make the budget appear balanced and to secure their own agendas. Pennsylvanians deserve reforms that bring true transparency to the budgeting process. We must limit spending growth to a sustainable rate, ensuring the state government—like hardworking taxpayers—live within its means.

2024 state budget resources

Education

House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes

  • June 20, 2018

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote (188-10). The legislation, House Bill 2121, avoids tax increases and pulls back from…

Press Release

Read More: House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes

State Budget

Six Things to Know About Pa. House Budget

  • June 19, 2018

The state budget is on the move. Earlier today the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan to the full House for its consideration. The…

Media

Read More: Six Things to Know About Pa. House Budget

State Budget

How Lawmakers Can Revive Pa.’s Economy

  • June 18, 2018

A look at job growth and labor force trends over the past few years reveals the Keystone State’s economy to be stagnant or, at best, overshadowed by robust growth in…

Media

Read More: How Lawmakers Can Revive Pa.’s Economy

State Budget

PA Legislature Moves to Protect Taxpayers from Habitual Overspending

  • June 13, 2018

Today, the Senate State Government Committee took a positive step toward putting Pennsylvania’s finances back on solid ground by passing the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) or House Bill 110—sponsored…

Press Release

Read More: PA Legislature Moves to Protect Taxpayers from Habitual Overspending

State Budget

Time for Welfare Work Requirements

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2018

Yesterday, welfare work requirement bills HB 2138 and HB 1659 moved out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. This move ensures welfare reform will be a focus…

Media

Read More: Time for Welfare Work Requirements

State Budget

5 Reasons We Need the Taxpayer Protection Act Now

  • June 12, 2018

Gov. Wolf has been pretty optimistic about Pennsylvania’s finances going into budget negotiations for fiscal year 2018-19. Although it’s true the state is not staring down a $2 billion…

Media

Read More: 5 Reasons We Need the Taxpayer Protection Act Now

State Budget

Securing Pa.’s Fiscal Future

  • May 29, 2018

Balancing a budget may come naturally to many Pennsylvania families, but in Harrisburg, it’s an idea that has been recently overlooked. And given the latest federal court decision prohibiting…

Media

Read More: Securing Pa.’s Fiscal Future

State Budget

Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased

  • May 21, 2018

Tax reform will save Pennsylvania's consumers an estimated $324 million. This according to the Public Utility Commission, which approved rate cuts for 17 utility companies last week. The lower utitlity bills will kick in July 1…

Media

Read More: Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased

State Budget

2018 State Budget Trends

  • May 16, 2018

On February 6, Governor Wolf laid out his plan for the 2018-19 state budget. His proposal includes a $250 million energy tax and nearly $1 billion in new General Fund…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 2018 State Budget Trends

Government Accountability

Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • May 11, 2018

Government transparency is a driving issue for Rep. Seth Grove. Without it, citizens can’t determine if state government is spending tax dollars efficiently. And hiding government operations from the public…

Media

Read More: Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt

State Budget

Why the Taxpayer Protection Act Matters to You

  • May 4, 2018

Pennsylvania could end the fiscal year with a budget deficit…again. If the latest Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) projections prove accurate, the commonwealth would need to fill a $195 million…

Media

Read More: Why the Taxpayer Protection Act Matters to You

Government Accountability

Government that Works?in the Shadows

  • May 1, 2018

Legislation introduced by Rep. Seth Grove—House Bill 1843—injects a much-needed dose of transparency into the state budget. The proposal would give taxpayers access to critical budget documents and financial…

Media

Read More: Government that Works?in the Shadows

State Budget

The Taxpayer Protection Act: A Legislator’s Guide

  • April 26, 2018

Pennsylvania’s high state and local tax burden is the consequence of a decades-long spending binge. Pennsylvanians currently pay $4,589 per person in state and local taxes, which equals 10.2 percent…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act: A Legislator’s Guide

State Budget

Pa.’s Economy Continues to Underwhelm

  • April 25, 2018

Just how burdensome have Pennsylvania taxes and regulations become? According to the latest edition of Rich States, Poor States (RSPS), the commonwealth ranks 35th in the nation for economic performance…

Media

Read More: Pa.’s Economy Continues to Underwhelm

Regulation

Seize Opportunities to Transform Pennsylvania

  • April 24, 2018

Maximizing our state’s potential requires a willingness to break from the status quo and find better ways to govern. Several improvements indicate Pennsylvania is moving in this direction, such…

Media

Read More: Seize Opportunities to Transform Pennsylvania

Regulation

Pull the Reins on Horse Racing Subsidies

  • April 13, 2018

A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless it's a Pennsylvania racehorse—then it's the symbol of government waste and an industry in decline. (Is that how this…

Media

Read More: Pull the Reins on Horse Racing Subsidies

State Budget

People Everywhere Just Want to Be Free (Of Taxes)

  • April 12, 2018

Pennsylvanians work nearly four months a year just to pay the taxes imposed at the various levels of government. This is just one of the many findings in the Tax…

Media

Read More: People Everywhere Just Want to Be Free (Of Taxes)

State Budget

How to Craft a Responsible Budget

  • April 9, 2018

Under Gov. Wolf, total state spending has risen by nearly $5.3 billion. This includes more than $2.9 billion in new General Fund spending—a sum exceeding the combined spending increases of…

Media

Read More: How to Craft a Responsible Budget

State Budget

Exposing the Shadow Budget

  • March 22, 2018

The state budget process needs an overhaul. Over the last two years, Pennsylvanians have witnessed unbalanced budgets, unsustainable spending increases, and harmful tax hikes. Additionally, a gross lack of financial…

Memo

Read More: Exposing the Shadow Budget