Taxes & Economy
The Basic Economic Mistake Both Candidates Make
Originally published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Poll after poll reveals what’s on voters’ minds: It’s the economy, stupid, as it was in 1992 when Bill Clinton’s campaign advisor James Carville…
Read More: The Basic Economic Mistake Both Candidates MakeHigh taxes make for a slow-growing economy. And communities feel the pinch of high taxes as more and more native Pennsylvanians leave the Keystone State to prosper elsewhere. To remain economically competitive, Pennsylvania must lower state taxes and ensure businesses have the opportunity to succeed. Lower taxes will incentivize more individuals to call Pennsylvania their home, ultimately spurring our statewide economy forward.
Education
Why is Gov. Shapiro Afraid of His Own Campaign Promises?
HARRISBURG, PA., July 24, 2024 — At a press conference Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the Commonwealth Foundation has “spent years and millions and millions of dollars attacking me.” Shapiro’s…
Press Release
Read More: Why is Gov. Shapiro Afraid of His Own Campaign Promises?Education
President and CEO Charles Mitchell on Philadelphia’s Morning Answer with Chris Stigall
Media Hit
Read More: President and CEO Charles Mitchell on Philadelphia’s Morning Answer with Chris StigallEducation
VP Josh Shapiro? Ad Spotlights Governor’s Failed Leadership
Harrisburg, Pa., July 22, 2024 — Some political pundits say Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would provide the Democratic presidential ticket a boost in a critical battleground state. That will only be…
Press Release
Read More: VP Josh Shapiro? Ad Spotlights Governor’s Failed LeadershipEducation
Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice President
HARRISBURG, PA., July 18, 2024 — Amid growing speculation about President Joe Biden’s future as a candidate, political pundits, operatives, and donors are touting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as a potential…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice PresidentEducation
New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic Ineffectiveness
Harrisburg, Pa., July 17, 2024 — Convention delegates, leaders of both political parties, and the national political media will see a new ad telling the truth about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s ineffectiveness.
Press Release
Read More: New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic IneffectivenessEducation
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…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 2024–25 State Budget AnalysisEducation
Shapiro Fails to Deliver on Campaign Promises Yet Again, Instead Delivers Massively Flawed Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., July 11, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a seriously flawed 2024–25 state budget deal. The deal fails to address the educational needs of students trapped in failing…
Press Release
Read More: Shapiro Fails to Deliver on Campaign Promises Yet Again, Instead Delivers Massively Flawed BudgetEnergy
Pa. Travelers’ Guide: Summer Gasoline Prices
Pennsylvania’s June average gasoline price was higher than all its neighbor states except New York. While Pennsylvania’s gasoline price has decreased from its 2022 record high, the long-term picture shows…
Backgrounder
Read More: Pa. Travelers’ Guide: Summer Gasoline PricesEducation
New Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Bipartisanship in Pa. Budget Process
Harrisburg, Pa., July 2, 2024 — As Gov. Josh Shapiro failed to enact the 2024–25 Pennsylvania budget by the June 30th deadline, voters overwhelmingly support increased bipartisanship in the budget process,…
Media
Read More: New Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Bipartisanship in Pa. Budget ProcessEducation
Is Josh Shapiro Capable of Leadership?
Harrisburg, Pa., July 2, 2024 — In The Wall Street Journal, columnist William McGurn explores claims that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, currently floated by some pundits as a possible replacement for President Joe Biden…
Press Release
Read More: Is Josh Shapiro Capable of Leadership?Education
Analysis: Pa. Gov. Shapiro Struggles to Govern, Resulting in Record Lack of Accomplishment
Harrisburg, Pa., July 1, 2024 — Despite speculation of replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, Gov. Josh Shapiro has been an ineffective leader with few legislative…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Pa. Gov. Shapiro Struggles to Govern, Resulting in Record Lack of AccomplishmentEducation
Analysis: Shapiro’s Record Least Productive in 50 Years
Harrisburg, Pa., July 1, 2024 — Despite speculation of replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, Gov. Josh Shapiro has been an ineffective leader with few legislative…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Shapiro’s Record Least Productive in 50 YearsEducation
Governor Josh Shapiro “Ain’t Got Sh*t Done”
Overview Governor Josh Shapiro has made “Get Sh*t Done,” profanity and all, the official slogan of his administration, but when it comes to legislative accomplishments, his governing abilities have…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Governor Josh Shapiro “Ain’t Got Sh*t Done”Education
Pennsylvania’s Budgetary Déjà Vu
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvania’s budget battle feels oddly familiar – like we’ve been here before. Our sense of déjà vu is valid: The 2024–25 fiscal battle looks strikingly…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Budgetary Déjà VuEducation
Charles Mitchell: Josh Shapiro Plays to the Middle While Pleasing the Left
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s handling of Lifeline Scholarships threatens to upend the moderate image that drives his popularity among Pennsylvania voters, writes Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Charles Mitchell in Thursday’s Pittsburgh…
Press Release
Read More: Charles Mitchell: Josh Shapiro Plays to the Middle While Pleasing the LeftEducation
Josh Shapiro plays to the middle while pleasing the left
Originally published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Perhaps you’ve heard: Our governor is a moderate president-in-the-making. Josh Shapiro is leaning into this image as the state legislature negotiates next year’s budget,…
Media Hit
Read More: Josh Shapiro plays to the middle while pleasing the leftEducation
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Media Hit
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansState Budget
Pa. Senate’s Proposed Tax Cuts Would Save Families $900 Per Year
Harrisburg, Pa., May 29, 2024 — Senate Bill (SB) 269 would slash taxes across Pennsylvania and save the average family of four $400 in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 and $900 in…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Senate’s Proposed Tax Cuts Would Save Families $900 Per YearState Budget
Proposed Tax Cuts and the 2024 State Budget
Key Points A responsible budget in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 must grapple with Pennsylvania’s aging and shrinking workforce challenges through sound tax and regulatory reform. State Senate Republicans proposed two…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Proposed Tax Cuts and the 2024 State BudgetEducation
Pennsylvania’s Senate has answered Gov. Shapiro’s challenge
Originally published at The Patriot-News Following his budget address in February, Gov. Josh Shapiro challenged critics, saying, “If you don’t like my plan, show me yours.” Last week,…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Senate has answered Gov. Shapiro’s challengeEnergy
Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate’s Passage of Historic Tax Cuts
Harrisburg, Pa., May 7, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 269, a bill to substantially reduce personal income taxes and lower Pennsylvanians’ electricity bills. Advanced by a…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate’s Passage of Historic Tax Cuts