PA Taxes

PBPC Testifies Before House Finance Committee on Characteristics of Effective Tax Incentives

September 19, 2012

Pennsylvania has enacted billions of dollars in business tax cuts and spent hundreds of millions on tax credits, yet there is little information available to determine whether these large tax expenditures have done what they promised to do, PBPC Research Director Michael Wood testified before the House Finance Committee today.

Final 2012-13 Budget Analysis: Failing to Invest in a Stronger Pa. Economy

July 13, 2012

The General Assembly has enacted a 2012-13 state budget that restores some of the cuts proposed by Governor Tom Corbett but remains below budgeted 2008-09 levels, despite four years of recession-driven increases in demand for services.

2012-13 Budget: Tax Code Changes Whittle Away at State’s Revenue Base

July 5, 2012

Changes to the state's Tax Code are projected by the House Republican Appropriations Committee to reduce revenue collections by $90 million in 2012-13, but the bill has much greater long-term costs.

Individuals, Not Corporations, Pick Up the Tax Tab for EITC Scholarships

June 25, 2012

Expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) now will drain more state revenue away from public schools at a time when many are laying off teachers, cutting kindergarten or prekindergarten, and eliminating courses, PBPC researchers write in a new analysis.

PA House Sets Budget Priorities, Laying Groundwork for Final Budget Negotiations

June 12, 2012

The Pennsylvania House amended the Senate Budget last week to add $91 million to the Departments of Education, Environmental Protection and Public Welfare, but because new spending had to be offset elsewhere the plan also includes cuts to the Governor’s office, economic development programs and general government operations.

Cracker Plant Tax Credit Expensive for Taxpayers While Promising Few Permanent Jobs

June 8, 2012

Governor Tom Corbett’s administration has proposed giving $1.65 billion in state tax credits over 25 years to companies that build and operate an ethylene cracker plant in Pennsylvania. It would be a windfall for Shell Oil, which is evaluating a site for a cracker plant in Beaver County.

Reforming an Antiquated Sales Tax Perk for Big Retailers

June 5, 2012

Pennsylvanians pay sales tax on numerous purchases, but few realize that the store collecting the tax gets to keep a portion of it. Some large retailers are able to keep millions. Governor Corbett proposes to reform it by placing a cap on how much any one retailer can receive.

Memo to Editors & Reporters: With Final Push for State Budget On, Here’s Where We Stand

June 1, 2012

The Senate, responding to Pennsylvanians’ deep concerns about service cuts, passed a budget bill that is a significant improvement over Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget. Still, lawmakers are leaving money on the table.

Still No Accountability with Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers for Private and Religious School Tuition | Stephen Herzenberg and Rachel Tabachnick
Who Pays for Property Tax Elimination (We All Do) | Mark Price
PA School District Fact Sheets | Mark Price
Need a Data-Driven Break From The Election? Let's Talk Education Funding... | Mark Price
How Low Will They Go? | Marc Stier
Why Do Rural Legislators Vote For Voucher Programs That Deliver No Benefits To Their Counties? | Stephen Herzenberg
What Would an Adequate Pennsylvania Budget Look Like This Year? | Marc Stier

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