Government Accountability
Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack Ads
Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform—a new “SuperPAC” (technically an “Independent Expenditure Committee”) registered in August—has spent about $2.5 million on attack ads in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race. Who…
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Meet the Most Controversial Teacher in America
Rebecca Friedrichs is no stranger to controversy. A teacher and former union member, her case against the California Teachers Association will be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court…
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Sobering Results on The Nation’s Report Card
Over the last quarter century, national education scores in both reading and math have modestly trended upward—until this year. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) recently released its biannual…
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Read More: Sobering Results on The Nation’s Report CardPublic Union Democracy
The Voluntary Deductions Facade
Paycheck protection detractors defend using taxpayer resources for partisan politics by insisting union members can voluntarily deduct political donations from their paychecks, but this excuse misses the point. Taxpayers aren't offered a choice. They're…
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One Teacher Can Make a Difference
This past summer, veteran teacher Rebecca Friedrichs found herself in the limelight. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to take up her case against the California Teachers Association regarding union…
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Holding All Schools Hostage
Fell Charter Elementary School near Scranton will stop paying teachers next month and the school is considering a four-day week thanks to the state budget stalemate. Fell's announcement is…
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Read More: Holding All Schools HostageHealth Care
Obamacare Premiums Rise, Again
Mark your calendars (for disappointment)! On November 1 healthcare.gov will launch its third open enrollment season. Here in Pennsylvania, premiums for the second highest silver plan will climb, on average, by 11…
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Read More: Obamacare Premiums Rise, AgainPublic Union Democracy
Justice for All
Sarina Rose counted on the justice system to punish the person who harassed her during a labor dispute. The system let her down. The Philadelphia Inquirer covered her ordeal…
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Read More: Justice for AllGovernment Accountability
A Revolving Door of Corruption
The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…
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