Public Union Democracy

CF Joins Coalition Opposing Bailout of Union Pensions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 27, 2010

The Commonwealth Foundation joined with 50 other organizations in opposing using taxpayer funds to bailout private pensions; see the news release from Americans for Tax Reform. Two separate bills,…

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State Budget

Entitlement Spending Driving Federal Deficits

  • May 27, 2010

The Heritage Foundation has a new 2010 federal budget chart book, full of useful charts and data. For instance, the Obama Administration is spending more on a…

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State Budget

Federal Earmarks Hurt State Economies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 27, 2010

A new study by three Harvard faculty finds that seniority of a state’s congressional delegation does lead to more earmarks and federal aid for the state, it doesn’t improve…

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Regulation

PA House Authorizes New Debt for Corporate Welfare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2010

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House approved legislation – HB 2399 – to allow the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to borrow and additional $50 to $100 million for additional “economic development…

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Taxes & Economy

Who are the Tea Party Members?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2010

Much has been said and made of the Tea Party movement over the past year and especially over the last several months, much by those who have no idea what…

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Education

Monitoring Charter Schools

  • May 25, 2010

Last month, PA Independent highlighted Senate Bill 1156, which would create a committee to monitor Pennsylvania charter schools. This was in response to the mismanagement of a number of…

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Government Accountability

Grand Jury Demands Legislative Reform

  • May 25, 2010

The long-awaited grand jury report written in response to the Bonusgate trials has declared that the grossly inefficient Pennsylvania legislature needs an overhaul. The grand jury wrote, “The current…

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Public Union Democracy

Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union Membership

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 25, 2010

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a crucial piece of legislation – a resolution honoring our old “friend” Bill George, outgoing head of the PA AFL-CIO. What…

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Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Budget Presentation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 24, 2010

Below you can find my latest version of a presentation on the Pennsylvania state budget and economic policy. PA Budget and…

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