We know that the Gospel instructs us to care for the poor in our community. In fact, Catholics are renowned for their service to low- or no- income Pennsylvanians, assisting hundreds of thousands of our needy brothers and sisters each year through our charities. What we may not consid

“Hurry up and wait.” That is the sentiment of school choice supporters in Pennsylvania who are disappointed that the state legislature left for its summer recess on June 30 without passing school vouchers. Yet they are still hoping that legislators will soon respond to their pleas.

For the first time in nine years, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the state budget before the June 30 constitutional deadline. The $27.15 billion spending plan holds the line on taxes and represents a 4 percent cut in spending over last year. Governor Tom Corbett signed the b

News for Advocates for Catholic Education in Pennsylvania March 18, 2011 School Choice Update: Senate Bill 1 – the Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act cleared its first hurdle on its way to become law in Pennsylvania.  SB 1 passed the Senate Education Co

Pennsylvania’s “day of reckoning has come,” announced Governor Tom Corbett with calls for fiscal discipline and no new taxes. On Tuesday, March 8, 2011, the governor unveiled his $27.3 billion spending plan for the Commonwealth’s 2011-2012 fiscal year. The budget proposal represents a

As the new governor, yesterday Tom Corbett introduced his first Commonwealth Budget proposal for the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year. The $27.3 billion spending plan represents a 3.1% decrease from last year. A special Budget Dashboard has been set up by the governor’s office so citizens

The Gospel compels us to provide for the poor and care for the sick. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me…The righteous will answer h

The highly successful Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program was cut by $15 million last year and was scheduled to be cut another $10 million this year; but thanks to the leadership and support of many state lawmakers, EITC will be funded at the same level as last year – $6

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the state budget by the constitutional deadline, June 30. Over the Fourth of July weekend, they passed the necessary fiscal code bill that outlines the revenue to pay for it. Although not exactly on time, this state budget was passed earlier th

Governor Ed Rendell will sign the 2010-2011 state budget this morning, putting the $28 billion spending plan into law.  Later this afternoon he will sign the companion fiscal code bill that designates how the revenue will be generated to pay for the plan.