Here's Commonwealth Foundation's weekly news roundup of policy issues being debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.
We hope you have a great weekend!
Pennsylvania Courts Never Ordered More Funding for Public Schools
One of the best-kept secrets in Pennsylvania is the outcome of the 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling on public education funding. Myths and disinformation abound.
But few are as pernicious as the misguided claim that Pennsylvania is under a court-ordered obligation to increase this funding at the state level. The facts tell a different story.
Analysis: No Carbon Taxes 'Worth the Wait' for Taxpayers
After 135 days and $1.5 billion cut, arguably the most partisan sticking point that sealed the budget deal was not found within the commonwealth’s overdue spending plan at all: upholding the state’s participation in a regional carbon tax program.
The Democratic House majority and its heavyweight ally, Gov. Josh Shapiro, conceded the six-year-long battle as a way to convince Republican leaders in the Senate that spending $3 billion more than they initially wanted was worth it. Budget observers tend to agree.
Pennsylvania Needs More Energy and Sensible Regulation to Lure Data Centers
In July, nearly two dozen companies gathered in Pittsburgh, along with President Donald Trump and other leaders, to announce investments in data centers and needed energy infrastructure. Totaling more than $90 billion, the expenditures would equal nearly ten percent of Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product, inducing a headline that described the prospect as “truly mind-blowing.”
Since then, some have begun erecting regulatory obstacles to this development.
ICYMI: Largest Public-Sector Unions Spent Eye-Popping Amount on Left-Wing Politics
The country's four largest public-sector unions spent a combined $915 million on elections and progressive political activism during the 2024 election cycle, 86% of which came from member dues.
