State Budget
Corporate Welfare in the 2024–25 Budget
Summary Pennsylvania’s economy is largely uncompetitive, with the state routinely losing businesses and residents to more economically competitive states like Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposes…
Read More: Corporate Welfare in the 2024–25 BudgetPennsylvania’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
Shapiro’s Legislative Record: Last in Nation Among Divided Governments
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills enacted in the first half of 2023 reveals Pennsylvania has been the least productive among states with divided government. This analysis…
Fact Sheet
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Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadership
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania budget remains unfinished, while Pennsylvania House lawmakers remain on vacation (in recess) until the end of September. While it’s up to Speaker…
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House Democrats Need to Get Back to Work
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania House Democrats have been acting busy during the state budget impasse—an impasse their own majority leader, Rep. Matt Bradford, inexplicably denied existed…
Media Hit
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Takeaways from the Unfinished 2023–24 State Budget
Summary The state budget remains unfinished. While Gov. Josh Shapiro signed off on the general appropriation bill (House Bill 611), authorizing more than $40 billion in state general fund spending,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Takeaways from the Unfinished 2023–24 State BudgetRegulation
Gov. Shapiro’s First Six Months the Least Productive in 50 Years
Harrisburg, Pa., August 8, 2023 –Gov. Josh Shapiro has overseen the least productive freshman legislative session in at least 50 years, a new Commonwealth Foundation analysis has found. In the first…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s First Six Months the Least Productive in 50 YearsRegulation
Shapiro’s First Six Months Least Productive Legislatively in 50 Years
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills signed reveals Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first six months were the least productive of any gubernatorial term in at least 50 years.
Fact Sheet
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Underserved students face uncertain future following Gov. Shapiro’s budget decision
Harrisburg, Pa., August 3, 2023 – Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following statement following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s decision to line-item veto the Pennsylvania Award for Student…
Press Release
Read More: Underserved students face uncertain future following Gov. Shapiro’s budget decisionEducation
Jennifer Stefano: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybody
Gov. Josh Shapiro should expand the use of bureaucracy-slashing tactics like those that helped expedite I-95 repairs, columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano wrote Monday in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Press Release
Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybodyEducation
Democrat House Legislator Calls on Governor, Colleagues to Support School Choice in State Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 1, 2023 – Democrat State Rep. Amen Brown today voiced his support for including school choice legislation in the final state budget deal. Brown’s statement of…
Press Release
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History shows Gov. Shapiro’s next move matters
Originally published in The Patriot-News The next few months are critical to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s legacy, and he knows it. The 2023–24 state budget, due June 30th, remains…
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What They Are Saying: Brutal Headlines for Shapiro, Strong Support for Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has found himself in hot water after he reneged on a key campaign promise to implement Lifeline Scholarships. His decision…
Press Release
Read More: What They Are Saying: Brutal Headlines for Shapiro, Strong Support for ScholarshipsEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Statement On Senate-Shapiro Budget Progress
Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following reaction today on Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward’s statement that the Senate continues to work…
Press Release
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House Democrats’ Budget Bungle Leaves Programs Without Funding
Harrisburg, Pa., July 27, 2023 – More than a dozen notable Pennsylvania budget line-items risk going unfunded following Democrats’ unwillingness to uphold the bipartisan deal agreed to by Gov. Josh…
Press Release
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Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to Stay
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Do you know someone who left Pennsylvania – or is considering doing so – to find greener pastures? You’re not alone. Nearly half of Pennsylvanians…
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Pennsylvania Voters Want Shapiro to Honor the Deal He Made to Fund Lifeline Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., July 19, 2023 — A large, bipartisan majority of Pennsylvania voters (65%) believe Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro should honor the agreement he made with state Senate lawmakers to…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Want Shapiro to Honor the Deal He Made to Fund Lifeline ScholarshipsEducation
Shapiro, lawmakers must choose — students or special interests?
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review In education policy, there are two main groups of stakeholders: parents and special interests. Parents want the best opportunities for their children, while…
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School Choice Report, Episode 9
What’s happening in Pennsylvania’s capitol? Why did Governor Shapiro renege on his handshake deal and outward support of Lifeline Scholarships? What should we expect in the days, weeks, and months…
Podcast
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Guy Ciarrocchi talks Gov. Shapiro’s Lifeline Scholarship Flip-Flop on the Chris Stigall Radio Show
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Commonwealth Foundation Survey Provides Voter Insights as Legislature Wraps Up Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., June 27, 2023 — Pennsylvania voters remain pessimistic about Pennsylvania’s economy, and they expect state lawmakers to keep a tight rein on the state budget, according to a…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Survey Provides Voter Insights as Legislature Wraps Up BudgetEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Offers Gov. Shapiro Helping Hand to Deliver on Campaign Promises
Harrisburg, Pa., May 17, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation today kicked off an advocacy campaign called “Shapiro’s Promises” to generate support for bipartisan initiatives that Gov. Josh Shapiro committed…
Press Release
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano on OAN 4.12.2023
Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano appeared on OAN to discuss the findings of the Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll.
Media
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