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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Pennsylvania Missed the Budget Deadline—and Shapiro Has Nobody to Blame but Himself

Once again, Pennsylvania lawmakers missed the state budget deadline. This marks the third consecutive budget deadline that Gov. Josh Shapiro has missed.

So, who is to blame?

Shapiro, of course, blames Senate Republicans. The governor claimed the Republican-led upper chamber “has dragged its feet” on the budget—a bold claim considering that Shapiro’s party controls the governor’s mansion and the state House. And Shapiro’s proposed spending is so radical that even House Democrats have been unable to pass it.

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Andrew Lewis: No More Blank Checks for Broken Systems

As the deadline looms, Pennsylvania lawmakers are nowhere near reaching an agreement on the state budget. This uncertainty in Harrisburg revolves around one question: Will lawmakers roll up their sleeves and commit to meaningful reforms, or will they keep writing blank checks to broken systems?

Commonwealth Foundation's President and CEO Andrew Lewis makes the case that reforms to Medicaid, transit, and education are needed as part of this year's state budget.

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Shapiro's Bloated Budget

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Medicaid Myth Busting: How Pennsylvania Can Reform and Protect the Program

Gov. Josh Shapiro wants Pennsylvanians to fear Medicaid reform, claiming “hundreds of thousands” will lose coverage. “There are no dollars available at the state level to make up for these cuts at the federal level,” said the governor. “So, if they cut someone off Medicaid, they’re off. We will not be able to fix that for them.”

But the governor’s fearmongering exaggerates the effect of the proposed reforms. Moreover, states aren’t powerless to reform Medicaid—quite the opposite, actually.

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Pennsylvania's Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio, West Virginia

Pennsylvania’s nickname of the Keystone State, as variously reported, originates with the deciding vote for independence by a Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress or in the commonwealth’s central location among the 13 colonies.

The state’s prominence continued through the 19th and 20th centuries when its oil, coal and manufacturing prowess were major economic forces. Today, with Pennsylvania situated in the nation’s most densely populated region, the commonwealth’s geography and resources continue to enhance its national role. Yet if modern Penn’s Woods is to live up to its heritage, it needs to do better.

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