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.
More Reforms Before More Revenue in Transportation
Testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee
JUNE 23, 2010 | Testimony by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Good morning and thank you Chairman Rafferty for the invitation to testify before your committee and for your consideration of our policy solutions to help address Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure funding challenges. While many in this building and in the transportation industry view Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure as a revenue problem, I would like to frame the issue as a spending problem.
A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania
JUNE 23, 2010 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania identifies opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-11 budget. The report also offers a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania State Budget Resources
JUNE 2, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania faces a projected General Fund tax revenue shortfall of at least $1 billion. Governor Rendell proposed a $29 billion General Fund budget for 2010-11 that increases businesses taxes, imposes new taxes on natural gas and tobacco products, and expands the sales tax to many goods and services currently exempt. Below are resources on the Pennsylvania state budget.
Pennsylvania Budget Facts 2010: Unemployment Compensation
JUNE 2, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania has borrowed over $3 billion from the federal government to keep its unemployment compensation fund solvent. Only California, with three times the population and a much higher unemployment rate, pays out more in unemployment claims.
Welfare Fraud and Abuse
Testimony of Elizabeth Stelle to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee
JUNE 2, 2010 | Testimony by ELIZABETH STELLE
Welfare advocates justify spending increases by emphasizing that they're necessary to provide for Pennsylvania's vulnerable residents, including children, older adults, and the disabled. However, we must consider the efficiency and the outcomes of such programs. If resources are being squandered on those who don't need them and are defrauding the system, both welfare recipients and taxpayers would benefit from the above welfare reforms.
