High 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.

Health Care

Pennsylvania Can Beat COVID-19. Here’s How

  • Tirzah Duren
  • March 31, 2020

It’s a thin tightrope to walk, but lawmakers must balance policies that keep Pennsylvanians safe with those that empower medical workers, protect the health care supply chain, and …

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania Can Beat COVID-19. Here’s How

Health Care

Policy Recommendations to Fight COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

  • March 24, 2020

As Pennsylvania faces its greatest crisis in decades, it is imperative that legislators take the lead and enact key heath care, education, and budget reforms to help Pennsylvania families and small…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Policy Recommendations to Fight COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

Regulation

Tale of Two Workers

  • Tirzah Duren
  • March 12, 2020

The rhetoric surrounding public service and actual compensation for public service are two different stories. Average total compensation (salary and benefits) for a Pennsylvania state employee is now $104,506. That’s…

Commentary

Read More: Tale of Two Workers

Health Care

No Easy Pass This Year on Cost Overruns

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • March 3, 2020

Legislators are questioning the administration's chronic overspending habit, but they aren't getting many answers.

Commentary

Read More: No Easy Pass This Year on Cost Overruns

Energy

5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PA

  • Tirzah Duren
  • February 13, 2020

When Governor Wolf announced his decision to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through executive order this past October, he also sent the message that PA is closed for business. For businesses operating…

Commentary

Read More: 5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PA

Health Care

Where Have All the Human Service Dollars Gone?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 10, 2020

Nearly half of Pennsylvania's budget goes to human services or welfare. Governor Wolf wants to increase human service spending by $1.4 billion next year. But how well are these programs…

Commentary

Read More: Where Have All the Human Service Dollars Gone?

Regulation

Wolf’s Wage Mandates Undermine Workers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 7, 2020

Governor Wolf's new overtime pay rules and his sixth minimum wage proposal is a one-two punch that could send our economy reeling.

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Wolf’s Budget Borrows Billions and Attacks Schools of Choice

  • Charles Mitchell
  • February 4, 2020

February 4, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Gov. Wolf outlined a massive spending and borrowing plan in his annual budget address. The $36.1 billion proposed General Fund Budget represents a…

Press Release

Read More: Wolf’s Budget Borrows Billions and Attacks Schools of Choice

Government Accountability

Lawmakers Send Message to Wolf on Eve of Budget Address

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2020

February 3, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, on the eve of Gov. Wolf’s sixth state budget address, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a much-needed fiscal reform called the…

Press Release

Read More: Lawmakers Send Message to Wolf on Eve of Budget Address

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Loses 54 People Every Day

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 30, 2020

How long before Pennsylvania becomes one big ghost town? New Census data shows that Pennsylvania lost a net of 19,588 residents to other states in 2019—that’s a loss of 54 people…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania Loses 54 People Every Day

Regulation

Dairy Farms Can’t Support Prevailing Wage Mandates

  • Tirzah Duren
  • January 17, 2020

Pennsylvania’s picturesque countryside is home to roughly 6,200 dairy farms. While the road trip through Pennsylvania is idyllic—the business climate for these farmers is far from ideal.

Commentary

Read More: Dairy Farms Can’t Support Prevailing Wage Mandates

State Budget

The Road to Better Infrastructure

  • Tirzah Duren
  • January 3, 2020

Anyone who has ever driven on Pennsylvania’s roads knows this state is filled with structurally deficient bridges—3,770 to be exact—and that the skill of artfully swerving around potholes is essential…

Commentary

Read More: The Road to Better Infrastructure

State Budget

Mid-Year Budget Briefing: $779 Million Projected Overspend

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • January 2, 2020

This week is the midpoint of the commonwealth fiscal year, which ends on June 30. Every year, as required by law, the Office of the Budget gives a mid-year budget briefing…

Media

Read More: Mid-Year Budget Briefing: $779 Million Projected Overspend

Education

Pension Pacman Must Be Stopped

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • December 31, 2019

Next fiscal year Pennsylvania school districts will pay $4.9 billion into PSERS, the state teachers’ pension fund.1 Less than one quarter of that amount will fund new benefits earned by…

Media

Read More: Pension Pacman Must Be Stopped

Taxes & Economy

Poverty, Energy, and RGGI

  • Tirzah Duren
  • December 19, 2019

Despite living in one of the richest countries and one of the largest energy producers in the world, many Americans still struggle to pay their energy bills. Roughly 1 in 3 Americans report…

Media

Read More: Poverty, Energy, and RGGI