Research

Prosperity

2022 Pa. Budget Checklist

• January 31, 2022

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

Criminal Justice Reform

Why Pennsylvania Needs Probation Reform

• Brandon Van Dyck
• December 15, 2021

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

Government Accountability

How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to Lobby

• Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
• December 1, 2021

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

Government Accountability

How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists

• Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
• December 1, 2021

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

Prosperity

Top Unemployment Compensation Reforms for Pennsylvania

• November 3, 2021

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

Taxpayer Resources Spent on Lobbying

• November 2, 2021

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Poll

Pennsylvania’s Use of ARPA Funds

• Brandon Van Dyck
• September 23, 2021

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

Excellent Education for All Act Summary

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 22, 2021

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

Energy

Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 1, 2021

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

Government Accountability

Fiscal Earmarks Reduce State Budget Transparency

• Jessica Barnett
• August 19, 2021

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

Education

Concentrating Resources on Failing Systems Instead of Students

• Stefanie Mason
• July 20, 2021

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

Education Landscape in PA

• July 14, 2021

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

State Budget

TEL-Tale Heart: Crafting Effective Policies to Reduce Spending

• Tirzah Duren
• July 12, 2021

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

Healthcare

How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to Rebuild

• July 12, 2021

The 2021 state budget includes some policy changes to spur recovery and better governance, but much more needs to occur.

Fact Sheet

State Budget

2021 Budget Takeaways

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2021

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

Education

School Funding Myth Busters

• Colleen Hroncich
• June 23, 2021

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

Education

Excellence in Education for All Act Summary

• Colleen Hroncich
• June 17, 2021

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

The Untapped Potential of Expanded Tax Credit Scholarships

• Marc LeBlond
• June 14, 2021

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

Steps to Enhance Election Integrity

• June 2, 2021

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

Energy

Governor’s Lone Wolf Approach Leaves Families Wanting

• May 27, 2021

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

Education

Are Pa. Public Schools Underfunded?

• Colleen Hroncich
• May 24, 2021

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