Recent Press Releases

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).

Tea Party Protesters Have Their History Wrong

November 13, 2009

All Pennsylvanians should support efficient government but Tea Party protesters descending on Harrisburg want to dismantle public structures that provide education and human services. Read PBPC's statement on Saturday's Tea Party protest.

Pennsylvanians Lose Employment-Based Health Care Faster Than the Nation

HARRISBURG, PA (October 27, 2009) – Employers provided health insurance to 694,471 fewer Pennsylvanians in 2007 and 2008 than at the start of the decade, according to a new report analyzing U.S. Census data.

Higher Uninsured Rates in Smaller Cities, Rural Pa., Census Data Show

HARRISBURG (September 22, 2009) - Urban centers and rural communities are home to some of the highest uninsured rates in Pennsylvania, according to data released by the Census Bureau today.

Statement from Sharon Ward on 2009-10 Budget Agreement

HARRISBURG, PA (September 11, 2009) – The 2009-10 budget agreement announced by legislative leaders today postpones Pennsylvania’s budget problems rather than solves them, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center Director Sharon Ward said.