July 18, 2024 July 18, 2024 State lawmakers across the country navigated budget challenges and slowing revenue growth in 2024. This challenge was made worse by the winding down of temporary federal pandemic aid, coinciding with deep, permanent tax cuts. The impact of those tax cuts becomes clearer as they weigh on the ability of … Read more
Republican lawmakers advanced legislation for a billion tax cut in response to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget plan. The tax legislation passed the Republican-controlled Senate and is intended to be the largest tax cut in the state’s history. Democrats opposed the bill, which aims to cut taxes by billion, while Shapiro’s budget proposal includes a billion increase in spending.
Consumers are facing the most expensive Easter in at least five years, as food prices have soared. A comparison with 2019 prices shows that consumers could pay 50% more for traditional Easter foods this year. The increase is attributed to global supply chain disruptions, inflation, the war in Ukraine, rising interest rates, and instability in the Middle East. The cost of 12 Easter staples has risen by 48.65% since 2019, with small, locally-reared lambs now costing €12.43 per kilogram, up 96% from 2019, and minced pork at €6.06 per kilogram, a 69.27% increase. The price of traditional flaounes has also gone up, with consumers now paying €13.27 per kilogram, a 56.29% increase from 2019.