State Budget
‘Shrinkflation’ ignores the true problem: deficit spending
Originally published at the Allentown Morning Call President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey deflect blame for high inflation away from the true cause: their own policies. They…
Read More: ‘Shrinkflation’ ignores the true problem: deficit spendingHigh 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
Shapiro’s Legislative Record: Last in Nation Among Divided Governments
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills enacted in the first half of 2023 reveals Pennsylvania has been the least productive among states with divided government. This analysis…
Fact Sheet
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Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadership
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania budget remains unfinished, while Pennsylvania House lawmakers remain on vacation (in recess) until the end of September. While it’s up to Speaker…
Media Hit
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Jennifer Stefano: All that’s lost when teens don’t work
Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano, in her recent column, laments the decline of teenage employment and the life lessons that teenagers miss when they don’t…
Press Release
Read More: Jennifer Stefano: All that’s lost when teens don’t workOpportunity
All that’s lost when teens don’t work
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer At a back-to-school night this year, I chatted with a group of moms who had kids in high school. Their teens’ summers were…
Media Hit
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House Democrats Need to Get Back to Work
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania House Democrats have been acting busy during the state budget impasse—an impasse their own majority leader, Rep. Matt Bradford, inexplicably denied existed…
Media Hit
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Gov. Shapiro’s First Six Months the Least Productive in 50 Years
Harrisburg, Pa., August 8, 2023 –Gov. Josh Shapiro has overseen the least productive freshman legislative session in at least 50 years, a new Commonwealth Foundation analysis has found. In the first…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s First Six Months the Least Productive in 50 YearsRegulation
Shapiro’s First Six Months Least Productive Legislatively in 50 Years
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills signed reveals Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first six months were the least productive of any gubernatorial term in at least 50 years.
Fact Sheet
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Jennifer Stefano: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybody
Gov. Josh Shapiro should expand the use of bureaucracy-slashing tactics like those that helped expedite I-95 repairs, columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano wrote Monday in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Press Release
Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybodyRegulation
Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybody
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Gov. Josh Shapiro’s PR people clearly have a new strategy. After the barrage of negative headlines questioning his effectiveness as a politician —…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to Stay
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Do you know someone who left Pennsylvania – or is considering doing so – to find greener pastures? You’re not alone. Nearly half of Pennsylvanians…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to StayTaxes & Economy
Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano talks Bidenomics on Newsmax July 20, 2023
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Read More: Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano talks Bidenomics on Newsmax July 20, 2023Prosperity
Bidenomics Doesn’t Add Up for Pennsylvania or America
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania President Joe Biden is returning to his birth state to pitch his newly branded economic vision: Bidenomics. Though Biden seems eager to paint a rosy…
Media Hit
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Commonwealth Foundation Survey Provides Voter Insights as Legislature Wraps Up Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., June 27, 2023 — Pennsylvania voters remain pessimistic about Pennsylvania’s economy, and they expect state lawmakers to keep a tight rein on the state budget, according to a…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Survey Provides Voter Insights as Legislature Wraps Up BudgetTaxes & Economy
Tax reform, not tax credits, will grow Pennsylvania’s economy
Originally published in The Mercury Pennsylvania State University’s Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis made headlines with this key finding: 7.7 percent of all Pennsylvania teachers, the “largest” number on…
Media Hit
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How Pa. Can Show it is Open for Business
Summary Pennsylvania’s economy is performing poorly with high unemployment, low labor force participation, and lackluster job growth. Roughly 40,000 residents left the state last year because of poor economic conditions…
Fact Sheet
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Commonwealth Foundation Offers Gov. Shapiro Helping Hand to Deliver on Campaign Promises
Harrisburg, Pa., May 17, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation today kicked off an advocacy campaign called “Shapiro’s Promises” to generate support for bipartisan initiatives that Gov. Josh Shapiro committed…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Offers Gov. Shapiro Helping Hand to Deliver on Campaign PromisesTaxes & Economy
We Need to Stop Chasing Residents Out of the State With High Taxes
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Every April, Pennsylvanians are reminded of their crushing tax burden—one of the highest in the nation. And a growing number of Pennsylvanians have…
Commentary
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano on OAN 4.12.2023
Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano appeared on OAN to discuss the findings of the Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll.
Media
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Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll Findings
Summary The Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll, conducted March 24-29, is the first in a series of quarterly surveys taking the pulse of voters on the “state of the…
Memo
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Minimum Wage
Summary One percent of Pennsylvania workers earn the minimum wage, an all-time low.Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Recent analysis by Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal…
Fact Sheet
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Shapiro paid homage to conservative ideas in his budget address
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer The most notable part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address last week is what he left unsaid. He…
Media Hit
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