Public Union Democracy

Another Step Forward for Paycheck Protection

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 26, 2014

This morning, the Senate State Government Committee advanced Senate Bill 1034 to the floor. We applaud the Committee’s determination to make all levels of Pennsylvania government fairer and empower public…

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State Budget

House Budget Holds the Line on Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2014

Yesterday, the PA House of Representatives advanced a $29.1 billion spending bill. This bill could be voted on by the full House today. There is much to like in this…

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Public Union Democracy

AFL-CIO Convention Spotlights Dues Spent on Politics

  • June 24, 2014

Yesterday, the House State Government Committee voted in favor of paycheck protection legislation that promises to empower teachers like Bill Frye and John Cress with more control…

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Government Accountability

The Real Cost of Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 24, 2014

Critics of paycheck protection claim that the practice of our government deducting union dues and campaign contributions from workers’ paychecks “only costs $100.” That’s based on a letter from Treasurer…

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Public Union Democracy

Critical Vote Advances Paycheck Protection

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 23, 2014

Today, the House State Government Committee advanced House Bill 1507 to the floor, taking the first step towards ending the taxpayer collection of government union campaign contributions and political money.

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Regulation

5 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Increasing Taxes

  • June 23, 2014

State spending is at an all-time high, but calls for even more spending persist, despite Pennsylvania’s precarious fiscal situation. Pennsylvania doesn’t need more government spending to improve the…

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State Budget

Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget Crisis

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 23, 2014

Pennsylvania has a prioritization problem. Recent controversies about the State Racing Fund and the legislature’s reserve fund provide two examples of why Pennsylvania consistently wrestles with budget crises. Auditor General…

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Public Union Democracy

Mailbag: How will SuperPACs Affect Pennsylvania?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2014

A PolicyBlog reader asked if we could explain a recent “SuperPAC” ruling we covered in an op-ed back in April, along with its implications for state and national elections.

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Public Union Democracy

End Teacher Bullying with Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 18, 2014

As most PolicyBlog readers already know, union dues are being used for political action. Moreover, taxpayer resources are used to collect both union dues and union campaign contributions. We at…

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