Releases

Economics and Other

IFO Releases
Release thumbnail - Sports, Marketing, & Tourism Series: 2025 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Impact Analysis - 2026-03-03
Sports, Marketing, & Tourism Series: 2025 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Impact Analysis
March 03, 2026 | Economics and Other

As required by statute, the IFO submitted an economic impact report for the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament in Allentown (March 2025) to the General Assembly. The analysis finds that economic activity related to the event generated $2.5 million in statewide spending and $161,000 in select state and local taxes.

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Release thumbnail - Proposal to Replace School Property Taxes - 2026-02-23
Proposal to Replace School Property Taxes
February 23, 2026 | Economics and Other

In response to a legislative request, the IFO used the dynamic REMI model to analyze a proposal that replaces school district property taxes with higher income and sales tax.

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Release thumbnail - Budget and Economic Update - 2026-02-23
Budget and Economic Update
February 23, 2026 | Economics and Other

Director Knittel provided a budget and economic update to the PA Chamber of Business and Industry.

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Release thumbnail - State and Local Tax Revenues: A 50 State Comparison - 2026-02-17
State and Local Tax Revenues: A 50 State Comparison
February 17, 2026 | Economics and Other

This report uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and other sources to facilitate a comparison of state and local tax systems across the 50 states. The report examines (1) state and local effective tax rates across states, (2) the distribution of state and local taxes across revenue sources (e.g., income, sales and property) and (3) state debt levels.

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Release thumbnail - Long-Term Budget Outlook Update - 2026-02-11
Long-Term Budget Outlook Update
February 11, 2026 | Economics and Other

This budget brief provides updated IFO deficit projections through FY 2029-30. Excluding new revenues proposed in the Executive Budget, the FY 2025-26 underlying structural deficit of $3.9 billion is projected to expand to $8.4 billion by FY 2029-30. 

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Release thumbnail - General Fund Revenues, Spending and Deficits - 2026-02-10
General Fund Revenues, Spending and Deficits
February 10, 2026 | Economics and Other

This budget brief tracks General Fund surpluses and deficits since FY 2013-14. Excluding new revenue and spending policies proposed in the Executive Budget, the underlying structural deficit is projected to expand to $6.7 billion in FY 2026-27. 

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Release thumbnail - Sports, Marketing, & Tourism Series: 2025 Synchronized Skating Championship Impact Analysis - 2026-01-15
Sports, Marketing, & Tourism Series: 2025 Synchronized Skating Championship Impact Analysis
January 15, 2026 | Economics and Other

As required by statute, the IFO submitted an economic impact report for the Eastern Sectional Synchronized Skating Championship in Dauphin County (January 2025) to the General Assembly. The analysis finds that economic activity related to the event generated $2.6 million in statewide spending and $102,000 in select state and local taxes.

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Release thumbnail - SNAP Update: Latest Data Confirm Contraction - 2026-01-15
SNAP Update: Latest Data Confirm Contraction
January 15, 2026 | Economics and Other

The IFO published a budget brief that uses the latest SNAP benefits data for December 2025. For the second consecutive month, the data show that the number of enrollees declined by 160,000 (-8%) from the prior year as new work requirements took effect.

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Release thumbnail - Pennsylvania IFO Shares Fiscal Outlook, Warns of Structural Imbalance - 2025-12-22
Pennsylvania IFO Shares Fiscal Outlook, Warns of Structural Imbalance
December 22, 2025 | Economics and Other

Director Knittel submitted content for publication in the CPA Now blog posted on December 22, 2025. The blog discusses the $5 billion structural deficit for FY 25-26 and provides background on income and sales tax that might be used to address it.

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Release thumbnail - Tax Credits and Other Incentives - 2025-12-18
Tax Credits and Other Incentives
December 18, 2025 | Economics and Other

This report presents data on Pennsylvania tax credits and economic development incentives for fiscal years (FY) 2020-21 through FY 2025-26. The tables provide annual detail on tax credit utilization or awards, state spending or grants, job training programs and state loan programs. Fiscal year 2025-26 amounts are budgeted, authorized or projected and will differ from final amounts claimed or awarded. The report also highlights recent changes to incentive program spending or utilization.

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