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How to Create a Better Pennsylvania
America’s story began in Pennsylvania, but our state has fallen behind. Families are leaving for better jobs, educational opportunities, and quality of life in other states. But in 2023, policymakers…
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Education
2023 PSSA Scores Highlight the Need for Educational Opportunity
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Healthcare
The Personal Option for Health Care in Pennsylvania
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Regulation
Regulatory Streamlining in Pennsylvania Would Boost Opportunities for State Residents
Read More: Regulatory Streamlining in Pennsylvania Would Boost Opportunities for State ResidentsProsperity
2022 Pa. Budget Checklist
Limit spending growth to the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) index The total General Fund spending increase should not exceed the TPA limit of 3.46 percent, or an additional $1.376 billion.
Fact Sheet
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Why Pennsylvania Needs Probation Reform
Pennsylvania has an overburdened probation system that delivers substandard results. The commonwealth’s recidivism rate is 41 percent—one of the highest in the nation.
Backgrounder
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Needs Probation ReformGovernment Accountability
How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to Lobby
Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.
Backgrounder
Read More: How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to LobbyGovernment Accountability
How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists
Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.
Backgrounder
Read More: How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract LobbyistsProsperity
Top Unemployment Compensation Reforms for Pennsylvania
Overview Pennsylvania should reform its unemployment compensation system to pay down state debt, incentivize hiring, increase labor participation, and minimize fraudulent claims. Reforms should protect unemployment compensation for the individuals…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania’s Use of ARPA Funds
ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal bill passed in March 2021. Supporters of the legislation argued that our country needed the added spending to stimulate a nationwide recovery from the…
Fact Sheet
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Excellent Education for All Act Summary
The Excellent Education for All Act (House Bill 1) is a transformative plan that ensures more Pennsylvania children have access to an excellent education.
Fact Sheet
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Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a controversial compact designed to tax electricity producers for emitting carbon. The Wolf administration is attempting to join the initiative through regulation in…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)Government Accountability
Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency
The 2021–2022 Fiscal Code contains at least $5.5 billion in federal and state funds earmarked for special projects across the state, up from $120 million last year. Most of this…
Backgrounder
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Concentrating Resources on Failing Systems Instead of Students
The 2021-22 budget has the largest state education funding increase in Pennsylvania history despite public schools receiving over $6.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The funding increase includes a…
Fact Sheet
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Education Landscape in PA
Overview There are approximately 1.9 million school-age children in Pennsylvania. Around 75% attend their assigned district school. Nearly 9% attend a charter school and close to 12% attend a private…
Fact Sheet
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TEL-Tale Heart: Crafting Effective Policies to Reduce Spending
Executive Summary Increases in state spending do not result in greater prosperity for state residents, across an array of measures. In fact, increased state spending can reduce economic growth. Reducing…
Report
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How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to Rebuild
The 2021 state budget includes some policy changes to spur recovery and better governance, but much more needs to occur.
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to RebuildState Budget
2021 Budget Takeaways
Last week, the Pa. General Assembly passed a state budget deal that includes $40 billion in the General Fund budget, increases in tax credit scholarships, and a number of policy…
Fact Sheet
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School Funding Myth Busters
In the face of uncertainly due to COVID in 2020, state lawmakers flat-funded education for the 2020–21 school year. Districts also received about $6 billion in additional funding via three…
Fact Sheet
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Excellence in Education for All Act Summary
What is the Excellence in Education for All Act? The Excellence in Education for All Act (Senate Bill 1) is an exciting bill that seeks to ensure more Pennsylvania…
Fact Sheet
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The Untapped Potential of Expanded Tax Credit Scholarships
This study reviews the most rigorous evidence on school choice and student outcomes in the United States and estimates the economic impacts of expanding access to Pennsylvania’s K-12 tax credit…
Report
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Steps to Enhance Election Integrity
In 2020, Pennsylvania’s newly amended election law struggled under unprecedented mail-in voting. In addition, last-minute state guidance and judicial decisions skirted state election law, further delaying results and causing confusion.
Fact Sheet
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Governor’s Lone Wolf Approach Leaves Families Wanting
Throughout his two terms in office, Governor Tom Wolf has showcased his preference to act unilaterally and consistent unwillingness to work with the state legislature. The unprecedented power Wolf has…
Fact Sheet
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Are Pa. Public Schools Underfunded?
Pennsylvania spends more per student than the vast majority of states. Education spending has significantly increased over the past decade. Scroll down to see how much funding your district receives…
Fact Sheet
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