Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation released its 2024 Pennsylvania State Economic Scorecard, offering residents of the Keystone State a look into how their elected officials approach economic policies in Harrisburg.
The Scorecard analyzes policies and votes to assign an Economic Growth Score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest support for pro-growth policies. In 2024, the Foundation reviewed over 1,000 floor votes, scoring 18 Pennsylvania House and 13 Pennsylvania Senate votes.
“The Foundation’s 2024 Pennsylvania Scorecard shows a concerning disconnect between conservatives in the State House and State Senate,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “While conservatives in the State House have worked to prevent bad policy even while in the minority, their Senate counterparts have abandoned support for pro-growth legislation in Harrisburg. Lawmakers must reevaluate their priorities to ensure future generations thrive in the Commonwealth.”
Click here to view the full 2024 Pennsylvania state economic scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
Key Highlights from the 2024 Pennsylvania Scorecard:
Pennsylvania Senate:
- Average Republican Score: 38%
- Average Democrat Score: 16%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Jarrett Coleman (SD-16): 87%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Katie Muth (SD-44): 36%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): 17 Republicans scored 29%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): 8 Democrats scored 7%
Pennsylvania House:
- Average Republican Score: 70%
- Average Democrat Score: 4%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Dallas Kephart (HD-73): 100%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Frank Burns (HD-72): 15%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Thomas Mehafie (HD-106): 17%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): 28 Democrats scored 0%
Notable Pro-Growth Legislation:
SB 269 – SIGNIFICANT TAX REFORMS
- Lowers the individual income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.8%.
- Eliminates the gross receipt sales tax on electric energy.
- $7.1 billion in reduced tax burdens.
SB 1109 – UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FRAUD PROTECTIONS
- Claimants who receive unemployment insurance benefits must show good faith efforts to find employment.
- Those who intentionally make efforts to avoid employment lose their benefits.
SB 1277 – DIVESTING UNUSED GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES
- Divestiture of three government properties: Hamburg Center, White Haven Center, and Polk Center.
- Saves taxpayers $33.2 million in annual operational expenses.
Notable Anti-Growth Legislation:
HB 1608 – MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR DOULAS
- Continues expanding Medicaid spending under Obamacare by including doula services.
- Increases the baseline for Medicaid by $400,000 a year.
HB 1615 – COST-DRIVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANDATES FOR APPLIANCES
- Empowers the Environmental Quality Board to impose regulations on common household appliances, driving costs up for consumers and loss of jobs for businesses
SB 1001 – GENERAL FUND SPENDING BINGE
- Spends $47.6 billion for the FY2024-25 fiscal year (6.2% increase over the previous state budget)
- $1.1 billion increase in K-12 spending
- $500 million in crony corporate welfare handouts
- $25 million for solar panel installations at K-12 schools
- $100 million annual cap for a government housing scheme
Note: This Scorecard is based on selected votes and does not reflect a legislator’s entire voting record. The Club for Growth Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.