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

State Budget

The Myth of Spending Cuts for the Poor, Tax Cuts for the Rich

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 16, 2006

Fascinating analysis by the Heritage Foundation on how the Bush administration – attacked by critics for “cutting spending for the poor while cutting taxes for the rich” – has…

Media

Read More: The Myth of Spending Cuts for the Poor, Tax Cuts for the Rich

State Budget

Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act

  • February 8, 2006

MEMORANDUM DATE: February 8, 2006TO: All Republican SenatorsCC: Capitol NewsroomFROM: Erik ArnesonSUBJECT: Rendell 06-07 Budget Proposal vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act Gov. Rendell today claimed that his…

Media

Read More: Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act

State Budget

Rendell to propose business tax cuts

  • January 31, 2006

Attempting to reshape himself as a “pro-business” Democrat after 3 years of punishing job creators, Gov. Rendell gave a sneak peek into next week’s budget address. Remember, this is after…

Media

Read More: Rendell to propose business tax cuts

State Budget

How about the people paying the bills???

  • January 18, 2006

Well, the Senate released its schedule for the 2006-07 Budget hearings. After Gov. Rendell presents his $24-25 BILLION taxpayer tab in early February to the General Assembly, the Senate has…

Media

Read More: How about the people paying the bills???

State Budget

Spending limit fear-mongering addressed

  • December 21, 2005

Harrisburg Patriot-NewsLetter to the EditorWednesday, December 21, 2005 Stephen Herzenberg of the Keystone Research Center letter (Dec. 13) criticizes, in a most fascinating way, the proposed Taxpayer Fairness…

Media

Read More: Spending limit fear-mongering addressed

State Budget

… tap-dancing pigs

  • December 12, 2005

Editorial on spending limits from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Media

Read More: … tap-dancing pigs

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation Bills

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 8, 2005

Pennsylvania is Exhibit #1 proving the axiom: “You can have government growth, or you can have economic growth, but you can’t have both!” For years, Pennsylvania public policy has increased…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation Bills

Regulation

Growing Greener II

  • May 13, 2005

While Pennsylvanians obviously want an environmentally safe and economically prosperous state, the $625 million debt plan known as “Growing Greener II” guarantees neither.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Growing Greener II

Regulation

Internet Taxes

  • February 10, 2005

A number of bills in the General Assembly represent the essential first step in extending the Commonwealth’s sales tax to out-of-state purchases—including those made over the Internet—through the national initiative…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Internet Taxes

State Budget

Total Cost of Pennsylvania Government: 2005 and Beyond

  • February 8, 2005

The total cost of state and local government in Pennsylvania is projected to exceed $102 billion in FY 2004-05, and will likely reach more than $115 billion by the 2008-09…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Total Cost of Pennsylvania Government: 2005 and Beyond

State Budget

The High Cost of Fiscally Responsible Compassion

  • June 8, 2004

For the naysayers of disciplined and effective government spending, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee has published “Republican Stewardship of State Government: 1995-2003.” Complete with a tagline, “Meeting the Challenge with…

Commentary

Read More: The High Cost of Fiscally Responsible Compassion

Education

What $17.4 Billion Cant Buy

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 21, 2003

There are few things in Pennsylvania that $17,438,840,000 cannot buy. Yet in signing the 2003-04 Budget, Governor Rendell told Pennsylvanians that $10,400 average per-pupil revenue is simply not enough to…

Commentary

Read More: What $17.4 Billion Cant Buy