Education
2024–25 State Budget Analysis
Key Points Pennsylvania’s $47.6 billion 2024–25 budget creates a $3.6 billion structural deficit. This will exhaust General Fund reserves, which will require draining from the Rainy Day fund—illegally—or raising taxes…
Read More: 2024–25 State Budget AnalysisPennsylvania’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
Prosperity
2022 Pa. Budget Checklist
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
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Examining Wolf’s revisionist history
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
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A real budget can bring prosperity to Pennsylvania
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
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Five Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s Budget
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 BudgetProsperity
Credit Where Due: Fiscal Wins to Build on in the 2022 State Budget
February 7, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf has spent his final year in office claiming credit for fiscally-responsible policies enacted during his tenure, and he will attempt…
Press Release
Read More: Credit Where Due: Fiscal Wins to Build on in the 2022 State BudgetProsperity
Pennsylvania Fiscal Chart Book 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 2022Prosperity
How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families
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 FamiliesProsperity
Pennsylvania’s Stalled Economy
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 EconomyProsperity
2022 Pa. Budget Checklist
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 ChecklistProsperity
Op-Ed: Pa.’s out-of-control spending is driving away residents
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 residentsState Budget
Op-Ed: Biden’s spending binge makes Americans poorer, just before the holidays
Biden and his allies in Congress need to stop this destructive spending now.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Biden’s spending binge makes Americans poorer, just before the holidaysState Budget
Op-Ed: How the Taxpayer Protection Act would help Pennsylvania
It’s time for Pennsylvania lawmakers to return to fiscally responsible governance. Passing the Taxpayer Protection Act is the perfect place to start.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: How the Taxpayer Protection Act would help 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 planGovernment 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 TransparencyState 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 SummaryEducation
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 Funds