Common Sense Weekly

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is Commonwealth Foundation's weekly news roundup of policy issues being debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.

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A Big Week for School Choice in Pennsylvania—and the United States​​​​

On Tuesday, school choice was the talk of the town in Harrisburg.

Hundreds of students, parents, lawmakers, and activists convened on the steps of the state Capitol to rally support for increased educational opportunities for Pennsylvania students, especially those trapped in chronically failing schools.

The event also coincided with the advancement of Lifeline Scholarships in the state legislature.

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A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible

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 you so.

On April 9, SEPTA announced it faces a “$213 million deficit.” Threatening that “unless the governor’s proposed funding boost arrives,” the agency will have to cut services and increase fares. SEPTA’s predictability is only outdone by its mismanagement and dreadful performance.

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TAKE ACTION: Tell Lawmakers to Reject a Public Transit Bailout

​​State taxpayers who don’t ride public transportation shouldn’t be on the hook to bail out Philadelphia's public transit mismanagement. It’s that simple.

Yet Gov. Shapiro's budget's sends nearly $300 million extra to public transit agencies to bail them out, on top of massive amounts of state tax dollars they are already getting.

Urge your lawmakers to reject a taxpayer-funded bailout. Send them a message today

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Shapiro ‘Price Cap’ Could Hike Electricity Bills​​​​

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to cap electricity prices could, perversely, lead to higher customer bills and a greater risk of blackouts, according to America’s Power, a trade organization of coal-fired power plants.

There could even be deadly consequences.

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Expiration of Trump Tax Cuts Would Raise Taxes $2,521 in Pennsylvania

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of eight years ago was a significant update to individual and business taxes in the federal tax code. According to the Tax Foundation, it was considered pro-growth reform with an estimate to reduce federal revenue by $1.47 trillion over a decade.

Should no action be taken before Jan. 1 and the act expire, the federal standard deduction would be halved; the federal child tax credit would decrease; higher federal tax brackets would return; the federal estate tax threshold will be lower; and some business tax benefits will be gone.

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