This report uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Transportation to facilitate a comparison of state and local government expenditures by major spending category across the 50 states. The report (1) examines Pennsylvania expenditures by category (e.g., education) over time, (2) compares Pennsylvania expenditures to other states and the U.S. average and (3) ranks the distribution of major spending categories by state.
This economic brief tracks the latest claims for unemployment compensation (UC) for all Pennsylvania covered workers and federal workers only.
The IFO published a letter in response to a request from Representative Grove for an analysis of HB 860 from the 2015-2016 Legislative Session. The analysis estimates what would have been the 2016-2025 impact from a 0.63 percentage point increase in the personal income tax rate and a 1.0 percentage point increase in the sales and use tax rate. The new revenues would have been used to lower millage rates (personal income tax) and increase homestead/farmstead exclusions (sales and use tax).
The IFO released a report that outlines options for sales-use tax (SUT) base expansion. The report includes (1) an overview of the tax and recent collection trends, (2) a comparison to other states, (3) estimates for expansion of the SUT base to 15 additional goods and services, (4) a discussion of tax incidence across six income groups and (5) the impact of the current tax on the 67 counties. The report fulfills the office’s statutory obligation under Section 604-B (a)(5) of the Administrative Code of 1929.
This economic brief tracks the latest claims for unemployment compensation (UC) for all covered workers and federal workers only. The IFO is tracking these claims in preparation for its November five-year outlook report.
Section 604-B (a)(2) of the Administrative Code of 1929 specifies that the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) shall “provide an assessment of the state’s current fiscal condition and a projection of what the fiscal condition will be during the next five years. The assessment shall take into account the state of the economy, demographics, revenues and expenditures.” This report fulfills the demographics obligation of this statute.
As required by statute, the IFO submitted an economic impact report for the Major League Fishing Challenge Cup in Erie County (August 2024) to the General Assembly. The analysis finds that economic activity related to the event generated $177,000 in statewide spending and $21,000 in select state and local taxes.
The IFO published an economic impact report for the Ardmore Rock N’ Ride in Montgomery County (August 2024). The analysis finds that economic activity related to the event generated $891,000 in statewide spending, supported 5 full-time equivalent jobs and $29,000 in select state and local taxes.
This research brief examines how the significant downward revision to employment made by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on September 9 impacts Pennsylvania. It includes specific commentary for the social assistance and non-profit subsectors.
The IFO published a letter in response to a request from Senator Keefer for a partial analysis of SB 962. The analysis estimates the net impact for all counties from the elimination of school district property tax partially replaced by a 1.88 percentage point increase in the personal income tax rate.