General Fund Spending in Budget Deal
JUNE 30, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
The FY 2011-12 budget deal includes $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, as part of the state's approximately $64 billion total operating budget. The deal represents a reduction of $3 billion from FY 2010-11—the first reduction in the operating budget in at least 40 years. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and includes no new taxes.
Citizens Scrimp As Government Spends
SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
With grim economic statistics mounting both here in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, more and more of our fellow citizens are engaging in a collective belt-tightening. It is only our lawmakers who seem oblivious to the fact that the party is over. Our government -- at the local, state and federal level -- has for years behaved like Aesop's grasshopper, who spent the summer singing and playing instead of preparing for the cold months ahead; now we're facing the winter.
2010 Budget Deal Fails to Plan for Future
Years of overspending push Pennsylvania toward the edge of a financial cliff in 2011
JUNE 30, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette released the following statement in response to the announced Pennsylvania state budget deal.
Pennsylvania Budget Facts 2010: Corporate Taxes
JUNE 29, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
The Commonwealth has the second highest state corporate income tax (behind Iowa, which has more generous deductions and exemptions). When compounding state and federal corporate taxes, Pennsylvania's corporate income tax rate is higher than that of every other country.
Pennsylvania Education Spending
JUNE 29, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to over $25 billion in 2009-a 133% increase in per-pupil spending, after adjusting for inflation. School construction and debt spending has doubled in just 10 years. Prevailing wage laws increase the cost of construction by 20% or more; repealing this mandate would save $400 million.
