Public Union Democracy

The Pretense of Democratic Unions

  • February 22, 2016

Control over the largest local teachers union in Pennsylvania is up for grabs. The Caucus of Working Educators (WE) is challenging the leadership of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers…

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Regulation

Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation Costs

  • February 22, 2016

The soaring costs of public employee compensation, if left unchecked, could aggravate Pennsylvania’s financial troubles. The growth in employee benefits, which have skyrocketed since 2006, is driving this upward trend…

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Education

A Tale of Two School Districts

  • James Paul
  • February 19, 2016

North Allegheny School District and Pittsburgh School District are barely a dozen miles apart, but their budgeting approaches for the next fiscal year are worlds apart.   Thanks to rising pension…

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Taxes & Economy

The Fair Share Fallacy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 18, 2016

What is the natural gas industry's “fair share” of taxes? The answer depends on the calendar year. An analysis from the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) finds the current “impact fee” is effectively a 5.5…

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Education

Taxpayer-Funded Union Politics in Philadelphia

  • James Paul
  • February 18, 2016

It's no secret that the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) plucks teachers out of the classroom to work as full-time union operatives. These individuals are known as ghost teachers—and their…

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Education

State Supremes Strike Down Charter Caps

  • James Paul
  • February 17, 2016

Pennsylvania’s legislature granted extraordinary powers to Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission (SRC) when they created the body in 2001. Tasked with shoring up the district’s finances, the SRC was authorized to suspend…

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State Budget

One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want to Move Away

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 17, 2016

Residents in states with high taxes to want to move out, according to a recent Gallup poll. This includes 33 percent of Pennsylvania residents.  This shouldn't be a shocker—Pennsylvania families…

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