Public Union Democracy

Union Gave $650,000 from Teachers’ Dues to Anti-Republican Group

  • Priya Brannick
  • December 5, 2013

Remember the shadowy group, Pennsylvanians for Accountability, which ran “shell game” prime time attack ads on Gov. Tom Corbett for “bankrolling big tax cuts for his corporate backers”?  The…

Media

Read More: Union Gave $650,000 from Teachers’ Dues to Anti-Republican Group

Public Union Democracy

Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save Pensions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 4, 2013

“They are going to take away your pension!” is a common scare tactic used by Pennsylvania government union leaders to oppose pension reform (even though private school unions have…

Media

Read More: Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save Pensions

Regulation

Not in the Holiday Spirit(s)

  • December 3, 2013

If you like a good deal, nothing beats shopping during the holidays. Retailers will do whatever it takes—sales, coupons, early bird specials—to get an edge over their competition, all to…

Media

Read More: Not in the Holiday Spirit(s)

Public Union Democracy

What Teachers Are Saying About Union Reform

  • Priya Brannick
  • December 2, 2013

One teacher called it “a kick in the teeth.” Another used the word “extortion.” What are these teachers talking about? The practice in Pennsylvania of teachers’ union dues…

Media

Read More: What Teachers Are Saying About Union Reform

Public Union Democracy

Podcast: Would You Join Matt’s Education Association?

  • November 27, 2013

For a small annual fee of $669, you can join Matt’s political organization called the MEA—Matt’s Education Association. You’ll join? Great! Don’t worry about writing a check. Government will withhold…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Would You Join Matt’s Education Association?

Public Union Democracy

Teachers Decry Unions’ “Unfair” Privilege

  • Priya Brannick
  • November 27, 2013

Ellwood City public school teacher John Cress is speaking up against the forced political speech he had to pay for via his union dues to the Pennsylvania State Education Association:…

Media

Read More: Teachers Decry Unions’ “Unfair” Privilege

Public Union Democracy

Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics (Again)

  • Priya Brannick
  • November 26, 2013

Last week we highlighted a number of election-related ads the Pennsylvania State Education Association paid for using its members’ dues money—without their permission or knowledge. The state’s largest teachers…

Media

Read More: Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics (Again)

Taxes & Economy

Mailbag: Is Pennsylvania Taxed Too Little?

  • November 21, 2013

In response to a blog post on Pennsylvania’s bleak budget future, a reader took issue with the claim that Pennsylvania has the 10th highest state and local tax…

Media

Read More: Mailbag: Is Pennsylvania Taxed Too Little?

Public Union Democracy

Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics

  • Priya Brannick
  • November 21, 2013

“If you DON’T care about funds for your school…then by all means throw this away,” reads a June 2011 insert in PSEA Voice, the magazine of the 185,000-strong Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics