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

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

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

Prosperity

Pennsylvania State Budget Outlook

  • January 9, 2023

In November, the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its Five Year Economic and Budget Outlook. Here are several trends for lawmakers. Pennsylvania’s Economy Remains Stagnant IFO forecasts Pennsylvania’s…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget Outlook

Prosperity

Pennsylvania’s next governor will face a looming budget deficit

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • July 18, 2022

Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer In 2019-2020, over 75,000 kids in Pennsylvania were denied a chance to leave their failing schools. Now there will be 30,000 fewer,…

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania’s next governor will face a looming budget deficit

Prosperity

PA Budget: Unsustainable spending, some big wins

  • July 7, 2022

July 7, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed a state budget plan that exceeds Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal by $300 million, with ongoing spending…

Press Release

Read More: PA Budget: Unsustainable spending, some big wins

Prosperity

What to know about the 2022 state budget deal

  • July 7, 2022

Pennsylvania lawmakers today unveiled the next fiscal year’s state budget plan. The Bad News: This budget represents excessive growth in government spending, increasing state spending by 10.7 percent over last…

Memo

Read More: What to know about the 2022 state budget deal

Prosperity

Commonwealth Foundation Warns Governor: Don’t Inflate the Budget

  • June 22, 2022

June 22, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Commonwealth Foundation today urged Pennsylvania state legislators to resist Gov. Tom Wolf’s efforts to “inflate the budget” in the face of skyrocketing inflation ravaging Pennsylvanians’…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Warns Governor: Don’t Inflate the Budget

Prosperity

2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

  • June 17, 2022

Limit Spending to Help Pennsylvanians Cope with Inflation Record inflation caused by federal overspending is hitting Pennsylvanians hard. Inflation is up 8.6 percent from last year and…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

Prosperity

Examining Wolf’s revisionist history

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 25, 2022

Originally printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette What will Pennsylvanians remember about Gov. Tom Wolf? This is his final year in office, and Mr. Wolf’s original priorities remain mostly…

Media Hit

Read More: Examining Wolf’s revisionist history

Prosperity

A real budget can bring prosperity to Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 19, 2022

Originally published in The Patriot-News In in his annual budget address last week, Gov. Tom Wolf patted himself on the back for his management of the state’s finances. He…

Media Hit

Read More: A real budget can bring prosperity to Pennsylvania

Prosperity

Five Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s Budget

  • February 8, 2022

February 8, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — In his final budget address Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed an unaffordable spending increase while claiming the mantle of fiscal responsibility. Commonwealth Foundation Senior…

Press Release

Read More: Five Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s Budget

Prosperity

Pennsylvania Fiscal Chart Book 2022

  • February 1, 2022

Eight charts summarizing how much state government spends and how to strengthen the fiscal health of the commonwealth.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Fiscal Chart Book 2022

Prosperity

How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families

  • Andrew Holman, Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2022

Key Points Excessive government spending and borrowing is causing record-setting inflation and severe supply chain shortages.Voters want fiscal restraint from their government.High taxes and spending are making Pennsylvania uncompetitive, costing…

Backgrounder

Read More: How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families

Prosperity

Pennsylvania’s Stalled Economy

  • January 31, 2022

Summary In 2021, Pennsylvania lagged behind most states in recovering from the COVID-19 shutdown.Challenges like historic inflation and labor shortages will likely persist throughout 2022.This year, lawmakers can reverse these…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Stalled Economy

Prosperity

2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

  • January 31, 2022

Limit spending growth to the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) index The total General Fund spending increase should not exceed the TPA limit of 3.46 percent, or an additional $1.376 billion.

Fact Sheet

Read More: 2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

Prosperity

Op-Ed: Pa.’s out-of-control spending is driving away residents

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 25, 2022

Originally published in the Pittsiburgh Tribune-Review Gov. Tom Wolf recently declared 2022 a “magical year” for the Pennsylvania budget, citing the possibility of a surplus. However, Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal…

Media Hit

Read More: Op-Ed: Pa.’s out-of-control spending is driving away residents