Recent Press Releases

Statement from Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center Director Sharon Ward on Tax Day

HARRISBURG, PA (April 15, 2010) - As Tea Party protesters stage "Tax Day" protests in communities across Pennsylvania today, Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, issued the following statement:

Poll: Pa. Voters Favor Balanced Approach to State Budget with Savings, New Revenue

HARRISBURG, PA (April 13, 2010) - Pennsylvania voters widely favor addressing the state budget shortfall with a balanced approach that includes savings and new revenue, according to a poll released by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.

Statement on Passage of Budget Bill by Pa. House

HARRISBURG, PA (March 23, 2010) - Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center Director Sharon Ward issued the following statement in response to the state House vote today to approve a 2010-11 state budget bill.

Americans Will Enjoy More Stability and Security in Health Coverage

HARRISBURG, PA (March 22, 2010) - Americans will enjoy more security and stability in their health coverage as a result of historic reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Sunday.

Statement on Governor's 2010-11 Budget

HARRISBURG (February 9, 2010) - Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Ed Rendell's 2010-11 budget proposal today.

State Budget Should Take Balanced Approach, Move Economy Toward Recovery

HARRISBURG, PA (February 5, 2010) – As the 2010-11 budget cycle begins next week, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center is calling on the Governor and state lawmakers to take a balanced approach that addresses the hardships faced by Pennsylvania families and moves our economy toward recovery.

Recovery Act Keeping Roughly 189,000 Pennsylvanians Out of Poverty in Recession

HARRISBURG, PA (December 17, 2009) – Along with boosting the economy and preserving jobs, seven provisions of the federal economic recovery act are also keeping about 189,000 Pennsylvanians from falling into poverty this year, according to a new study from the Washington, DC-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

New Report Ranks Pennsylvania Among 'Terrible 10' Most Regressive Tax States

HARRISBURG, PA (November 18, 2009) - Working families in Pennsylvania pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than their wealthiest counterparts, according to a new study by the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy (ITEP).