State Budget
Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax Reform
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Today is Tax Day. Each year, April 15th reminds us of the costliness of government spending – and why lawmakers must reduce this financial burden on…
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax ReformHigh 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
One Big, Beautiful Bill Benefits for Pennsylvanians
Summary On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed House Resolution 1, better known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB), into law. Within the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: One Big, Beautiful Bill Benefits for PennsylvaniansRegulation
Pennsylvania Can Learn from Ohio and West Virginia
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Over the last decade, Pennsylvania has lost population and businesses to more competitive states. But this outmigration offers clues on how Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Can Learn from Ohio and West VirginiaEducation
OBBB Delivers Historic Expansion of Educational Choice, Sweeping Reforms
Harrisburg, Pa., July 3, 2025 — After much anticipation and debate, the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is now passed and set to be enacted—delivering policy accomplishments that Pennsylvanians can celebrate:…
Press Release
Read More: OBBB Delivers Historic Expansion of Educational Choice, Sweeping ReformsEducation
New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of Leadership
69% of voters believe Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to take a more active role in budget negotiations. Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2025 — As the June 30th deadline looms, voters…
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of LeadershipEducation
Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro once said, “Leaders have a responsibility to speak truth.” Yet, truth be told, the governor’s lack of leadership on this…
Media Hit
Read More: Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?Government Accountability
A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…
Media Hit
Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is IrresponsibleState Budget
Deficit Watch: May 2025
Pennsylvania cannot afford more mass transit bailouts. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov.
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: May 2025State Budget
Mass Transit Bailout
2025 Budget Proposal Seeks to Further Subsidize Inefficient Agencies Summary Mass transit agencies, including Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) in Pittsburgh, have seen…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Mass Transit BailoutTaxes & Economy
Stephen Bloom joins RJ Harris in the Morning to Talk Tax Reform
Was your Tax Day painful this year? Pennsylvania’s tax structure may be the reason. Commonwealth Foundation’s Vice President Stephen Bloom joins RJ Harris in the Morning to discuss why Pennsylvanians…
Media Hit
Read More: Stephen Bloom joins RJ Harris in the Morning to Talk Tax ReformEnergy
Deficit Watch: April 2025
Improving Pennsylvania’s economy will help close the deficit. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit.
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: April 2025Government Accountability
Josh Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Self-Promotional Horror Show
Originally published by The Washington Times. National Democrats are embarrassing themselves on social media. Look no further than the awkward lip-syncing and “Mortal Kombat” spoofs…
Media Hit
Read More: Josh Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Self-Promotional Horror ShowEducation
Gov. Shapiro’s appearance on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ smacked of unreality
Originally published by Lancaster Online. On the March 14 episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher,” Gov. Josh Shapiro gave an unreal performance — literally. Indeed,…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s appearance on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ smacked of unrealityState Budget
Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue Projections
Harrisburg, Pa., March 5, 2025 — Tuesday, the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its analysis of revenue proposals contained in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget proposal. This latest…
Press Release
Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue ProjectionsState Budget
Deficit Watch: March 2025
Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: March 2025State Budget
Optimizing State Spending
Summary Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural budget deficit in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–25. The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) calculates Gov. Josh Shapiro’s FY 2025–26 budget…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Optimizing State SpendingState Budget
Gov. Josh Shapiro Isn’t a “Different Democrat”
Originally published by Pottstown-Mercury. Gov. Josh Shapiro is a “different Democrat,” or so claim national pundits. The governor has made unorthodox yet inconsequential statements condemning terrorism, rebuking antisemitism on…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Josh Shapiro Isn’t a “Different Democrat”State Budget
Governor Shapiro’s Budget is Nothing New
Originally published by the York Dispatch. “I love Groundhog Day,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro during the budget address. Of course, the governor meant the Pennsylvania tradition of Punxsutawney…
Media Hit
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Budget is Nothing NewState Budget
Governor Shapiro’s Broken Promises are Breaking Pennsylvania
Originally published by Penn Live/Patriot-News. Everyone knows that politicians break promises. But Gov. Josh Shapiro’s promise-breaking is so sweeping it’s breathtaking. That’s all I could think after…
Media Hit
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Broken Promises are Breaking PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Independent Fiscal Office Shows Shapiro’s Budget Will Deepen the Deficit
IFO’s new Long-Term Budget Outlook Update illustrates Pennsylvania’s economic peril in light of Governor Shapiro’s 2025 budget proposal. Harrisburg, Pa., February 11, 2025 — Today, Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office…
Press Release
Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Shows Shapiro’s Budget Will Deepen the DeficitState Budget
Deficit Watch: February 2025
Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit, with $47.6 billion in spending and only $43.9 billion in net…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: February 2025Education
Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2025 Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, PA, February 4, 2025 – Massive spending increases proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his recently released 2025 budget proposal “will force extreme tax hikes on working families in the coming…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2025 Budget Proposal