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
State Budget
The “Ed McMahon” Syndrome
The Republican Herald discusses Rep. Tim Holden’s earmarks, which his challenger, Toni Gilhooley labels “Ed McMahon” syndrome because of his desire to hand out large cardboard checks (a phrase…
Media
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Pigfoot Evicted from Jack Murtha Fundraiser
Video of CAGW’s Pig being tossed from Congressman Jack Murtha’s fundraiser while trying to present him with the prestigious “Porker of the Year” award.
Media
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Porkers win the day, again
A few days ago, I remarked that the DeMint-McCain earmark moratorium was likely to pass the Senate, as both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had signed on.
Media
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Video: Jim DeMint on Earmark Moratorium
Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina gives a masterful speech on the need for earmark reform in Washington (the same could be applied to handouts in Harrisburg).
Media
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Earmark abusers jump on earmark reform wagon
The Club for Growth notes that both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have signed on to DeMint-McCain earmark moratorium. While this will likely force passage of the bill,…
Media
Read More: Earmark abusers jump on earmark reform wagonRegulation
Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2008
State government consumption and spending of taxpayer money has grown rapidly over the years. Since 1970, Pennsylvania’s operating budget increased from $4.2 billion to $59 billion in FY 2007-2008, an…
Report
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Central PA Congressman and businesses giving up earmarks
Central Penn Business Journal on the Congressman Pitts and Platts joining those taking a moratorium on earmarks and the response of most business leaders – except the beneficiaries of…
Media
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Earmark Nation
Wall Street Journal on the political value of taking a hard line opposing earmarks, compared with the value of pork projects. Unorthodox as he’s been on some conservative…
Media
Read More: Earmark NationState Budget
Campbell on Earmark Moratorium
Video of John Campbell on earmarks. I especially like him bringing up the “monuments to me” – i.e. earmarks by legislators for projects named after themselves – noting “I hope…
Media
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PA Budget Historical Numbers
I’ve received a couple of requests for historics Pennsylvania state budget numbers, so I thought I’d post the data here. The figures represent actual final spending from 1970-2007, while…
Media
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CAGW Names Rep. John Murtha Porker of the Year
Pennsylvania’s own Congresman John Murtha was named Porker of the Year by Citizens Against Government Waste: In fiscal year 2008, he brought home 72 pork projects worth $149.2…
Media
Read More: CAGW Names Rep. John Murtha Porker of the YearState Budget
State’s economy, budget are at odds
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review question the Rendell administration’s glorious reviews of the state’s economy. The size of the state’s economy grew about 20 percent from 1997 to 2006, but…
Media
Read More: State’s economy, budget are at oddsState Budget
Borrowing in 2008-09 Budget
Below is some more analysis of the proposed borrowing in Governor Rendell’s proposed budget – $2.6 billion in debt will be issued in 2008-09. (More on PA’s Total Debt…
Media
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New Borrowing + New Taxes = “Avoidance of Debt”
In the Post-Gazette, Governor Rendell continues to argue that his insurance tax is a tax: Mr. Rendell strongly denies that the surcharge is a new tax. Instead,…
Media
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Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?
The Patriot News profiles Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and it looks like he will be putting the Taxpayer Protection Act as a top priority, and even suggests…
Media
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The Truth About Spending Limits
Pennsylvanians want limits placed on the annual increases in state government spending. Despite the strong support of taxpayers, many special interest groups that profit from higher taxes and more government…
Fact Sheet
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Put Government on a Spending Diet
Commonwealth Foundation analysis finds $6.7 billion in “unhealthy“ state spending HARRISBURG, PA — Today, in anticipation of Governor Rendell’s 2008-09 budget proposal, the Commonwealth Foundation released Government on a Diet:…
Press Release
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Bush on Earmarks
If his State of the Union Address, Bush promised to veto and/or ignore earmarks in future appropriatiosn legislation. As CAGW and Heritage point out, this would only…
Media
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CF Assesses Final Budget: Spending is up, WAMs are in, and the Spin begins
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation provided its perspective on the FY 2007-08 General Fund budget making its way to the governor’s desk. “During Governor Rendell’s first four years…
Press Release
Read More: CF Assesses Final Budget: Spending is up, WAMs are in, and the Spin beginsState Budget
Budget Deal Autopsy: The Good, the Bad, the Uglyand A Fistful of Unspent Dollars
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation offered a brief analysis (with apologies to Clint Eastwood) of the tentative Pennsylvania General Fund budget deal that is currently being finalized in…
Press Release
Read More: Budget Deal Autopsy: The Good, the Bad, the Uglyand A Fistful of Unspent DollarsState Budget
Pennsylvania Families Need Government to Prioritize Spending
All families must learn to live within a budget. They understand that they can’t spend more than what they earn—at least not for very long. Frequently this means saying “No”…
Commentary
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