Education

Attacking Cyber School Funding

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 15, 2012

The House Education Committee held an informational hearing today with administrators from several of Pennsylvania’s cyber schools. The school officials mainly addressed myths about cyber school funding and performance,…

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Taxes & Economy

Which County will be Duped into Imposing Marcellus Tax?

  • February 15, 2012

On Monday, Gov. Tom Corbett signed House Bill 1950, the Marcellus Shale impact tax, into law. The funding formula funnels the first $23 million in revenue to statewide programs. Local…

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Public Union Democracy

Will the Union Party Win Again?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 15, 2012

On Tuesday, everyone in the Capitol anticipated a final vote in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on a bill to increase the “prevailing wage” threshold for public construction…

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Public Union Democracy

Who Would Oppose Reforming a Costly, Unnecessary Law?

  • Nathan Benefield, Priya Brannick
  • February 14, 2012

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives may vote today on a bill to reform the 1961 prevailing wage mandate.  The prevailing wage requires government to pay higher wages and benefits for…

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Health Care

CF Joins More than 400 State Lawmakers in Brief on Health Care Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 14, 2012

The Commonwealth Foundation joined 17 other organizations and 333 state legislators from across the country in an amicus curiae brief challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act passed…

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Public Union Democracy

House Moves Unemployment Compensation Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 13, 2012

More Unemployment Compensation reform is moving through the Pennsylvania House. Yesterday, HB 1754 sponsored by Rep. Ron Miller, and HB 1852 sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove, cleared the…

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Regulation

Reforming State Borrowing for Corporate Welfare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 13, 2012

Since 1986, state lawmakers have authorized more than $4 billion in borrowing for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (or RACP). This is effectively debt for corporate welfare and…

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Criminal Justice Reform

Government Union Jeopardizes Criminal Justice Reform

  • February 10, 2012

As Pennsylvania takes a hard look at reforming its criminal justice system, prepare for the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association’s fear-mongering campaign against reducing prison populations. The officers’ union opposition…

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Education

School Choice Gives Students Hope

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 10, 2012

Chester-Upland School District in the Philadelphia area is in deep financial trouble, and it made news recently for suing the state for emergency funding to keep going. In a…

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