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
Saving Billy Penn was good, but Shapiro needs to find focus on bigger problems
Originally published in the Delaware County Daily Times All eyes are on the Keystone State in 2024. Whoever wins Pennsylvania, the nation’s largest swing state, will likely occupy the…
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Shapiro’s New Year’s resolution
Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s the season to shed bad habits. And Gov. Josh Shapiro, as he enters year two in office, should consider dropping this overdone…
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Read More: Shapiro’s New Year’s resolutionProsperity
Pa.’s Population Continues Its Troubling Decline
Harrisburg, Pa., December 20, 2023 — Pennsylvania’s population continues to decline, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report showing a total loss of 10,408 residents between July 2022 and July 2023.
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Read More: Pa.’s Population Continues Its Troubling DeclineEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Pa. Survey Finds President Biden, Donald Trump in Dead Heat
Harrisburg, Pa., December 19, 2023 — When it comes to candidates who Pennsylvanians are unwilling to vote for, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are in a dead heat, according to a…
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Pa. Survey Finds President Biden, Donald Trump in Dead HeatEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Struggling to Pinpoint Governor Shapiro’s Successes
Harrisburg, Pa., December 19, 2023 — When asked to list significant accomplishments by Gov. Josh Shapiro, 61 percent of Pennsylvania voters either stated he had not (36 percent) or were unsure…
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Struggling to Pinpoint Governor Shapiro’s SuccessesEducation
A Tale of Two Chambers in Pennsylvania
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania General Assembly is currently a Dickensian tale of two chambers. One chamber — the Senate — exemplifies the best of the times:…
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Read More: A Tale of Two Chambers in PennsylvaniaEnergy
Pa. great place to retire, but bad for workers
Originally published in The Morning Call Jason Kavulich, the state’s secretary of aging, shared great news: Pennsylvania is a top place to retire. Unfortunately, the commonwealth is not hospitable…
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Read More: Pa. great place to retire, but bad for workersEducation
Pa. Tracking Poll: Biden Faces Political Headwinds on Eve of Pa. Visit
Harrisburg, Pa., December 7, 2023 – As President Biden prepares for his ninth visit to Pennsylvania in 2023—his most-visited state aside from Delaware, his home state—he is struggling to connect with…
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Read More: Pa. Tracking Poll: Biden Faces Political Headwinds on Eve of Pa. VisitTaxes & Economy
Jennifer Stefano: Holiday shopping is a moral good
Despite a growing association of the Christmas season with anti-consumerism, holiday shopping stimulates local economies and businesses, writes Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jennifer Stefano in her recent …
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Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Holiday shopping is a moral goodTaxes & Economy
Holiday shopping is a moral good
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer At 5:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve, you’ll find me at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church near 13th…
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Read More: Holiday shopping is a moral goodPublic Union Democracy
Taxpayer-Funded Strikes Would be Bad for All Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, Pa., November 15, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation highlighted major problems with House Bill (HB) 1481. If passed, this legislation will provide unemployment benefits for striking workers, effectively forcing taxpayers…
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Read More: Taxpayer-Funded Strikes Would be Bad for All PennsylvaniansEducation
Pennsylvania exports a lot — especially bad political leadership
Originally published at Broad + Liberty As the nation’s sixth-largest manufacturing state, Pennsylvania exports a lot of things — from food and pharma to energy and defense. Unfortunately, as…
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Commonwealth Foundation CEO Charles Mitchell joins the Dawn Stensland Show on November 7, 2023
Commonwealth Foundation CEO Charles Mitchell discusses Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s shift on education policy.
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation CEO Charles Mitchell joins the Dawn Stensland Show on November 7, 2023Education
Jennifer Stefano: Josh Shapiro is the least productive Pennsylvania governor of the last 50 years
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s lack of bipartisan leadership during his first nine months as governor has resulted in the passage of very few policy initiatives, notes Philadelphia Inquirer columnist…
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Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Josh Shapiro is the least productive Pennsylvania governor of the last 50 yearsEducation
Josh Shapiro is the least productive Pennsylvania governor of the last 50 years
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Pennsylvania Republicans were in a lather last November after Josh Shapiro sailed into the governorship and Democrats took the state House of Representatives…
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Read More: Josh Shapiro is the least productive Pennsylvania governor of the last 50 yearsPublic Union Democracy
Unions are hurting taxpayers and Pennsylvania’s economy
Originally published at The Patriot-News The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike recently reached Dauphin County, with 145 employees at the Mack Trucks remanufacturing plant in Lower Swatara Township walking…
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Shapiro Must Reset His Legislative Strategy
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The recent sexual harassment scandal rocking Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has made many headlines. And though Shapiro must take these accusations seriously, there could be a…
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Read More: Shapiro Must Reset His Legislative StrategyTaxes & Economy
New Pa. Unemployment Numbers Won’t Reassure Pa. Voters about ‘Bidenomics’
Harrisburg, Pa., October 20, 2023 — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate for September was 3.4%, the 17th highest among all 50 states, according to federal government data released today. The data also shows 77,700 Pennsylvanians…
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Gov. Shapiro must become more productive in Pennsylvania before he can get to the White House
Originally published at The Patriot-News Gov. Josh Shapiro regularly dodges the question about his national ambitions. “I’m focused on doing this job and this job only, and…
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Read More: Gov. Shapiro must become more productive in Pennsylvania before he can get to the White HouseRegulation
PA Regs Shut Doors to Economic Opportunity
Originally published in Delaware Valley Journal Gov. Josh Shapiro recognizes how government regulations come between Pennsylvanians and job opportunities. In his first week, Shapiro acted on his campaign promise…
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Gov. Shapiro Poised to Raid Rainy Day Fund, Unprecedented Move Violates Law and Undermines Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa., September 29, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation expresses strong concern that Gov. Shapiro is ignoring the law and usurping the constitutional role of the legislative branch in the state…
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Read More: Gov. Shapiro Poised to Raid Rainy Day Fund, Unprecedented Move Violates Law and Undermines Legislature