You can grow the government, or you can grow the economy. But you can’t grow both!

For decades, jumbo-sized, pork-laden state budgets have made Pennsylvania state government overweight. By choosing to grow government spending at a faster rate than taxpayers can afford, elected officials in Harrisburg have stunted our state’s economic growth and competitiveness.

Important indicators of fiscal health reveal the severity of Pennsylvania’s overspending problem. Between 1970 and 2007—when state spending increased a whopping 168% in inflation-adjusted dollars—our commonwealth ranked:

• 49th in job growth,
• 45th in personal income growth, and
• 48th in population growth among the 50 states.

Unfortunately, this long-term problem has not been remedied in recent years. During Governor Ed Rendell’s first term in office (2003-07), state spending increased by 28%, yet Pennsylvania still ranked an unhealthy:

• 38th in job growth,
• 40th in personal income growth, and
• 42nd in population growth among the 50 states.

Clearly, state government’s insatiable appetite to tax, borrow, and spend has failed to make Pennsylvania more economically healthy.

It’s time to put Pennsylvania on a spending diet!

What’s the Solution?
More State Tax & Spending Facts »