Education

Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • February 27, 2018

Yesterday the Educational Nominating Panel for Philadelphia’s new school board voted to recommend board candidates to Mayor Kenney. Here is who made the list: Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Jenne Ayers,…

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Public Union Democracy

What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers

  • February 26, 2018

The Case Plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME contend compulsory union fees for public-sector workers violates their First Amendment rights. The Players Plaintiffs: Mark Janus,…

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Education

Education Spending Myths vs. Facts

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • February 21, 2018

In his recent budget address, Gov. Wolf continued to push the myth that the previous administration cut a billion dollars in state education spending and our schools remain underfunded.

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Public Union Democracy

Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 16, 2018

Imagine being disabled or sick and requiring help to bathe, eat, and even move from room to room within your own home. Medicaid, a taxpayer-funded health insurance program helps pay…

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Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania’s Overspending Problem Still Proving Costly

  • February 16, 2018

To balance last year’s budget, Gov. Wolf and lawmakers agreed to dedicate a portion of Tobacco Settlement Fund payments to cover a $1.5 billion bond issuance. This decision to…

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Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage Hike Short-Changes Teens

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 15, 2018

Higher minimum wages have driven a decline in teenage employment since 2000, according to the Mercatus Center. . . . higher minimum wages are associated with a lower…

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State Budget

Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposals vs. Reality

  • February 15, 2018

Last week, Gov. Wolf unveiled a budget that includes another energy tax and approximately $1 billion in new General Fund spending. (This doesn't include large spending increases in the shadow budget.) While the plan would take…

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Government Accountability

Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members

  • Jessica Barnett
  • February 13, 2018

Unionization doesn’t guarantee representation. Penn State graduate assistants may soon learn this lesson. Shortly after the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled the graduate assistants can unionize, the Pittsburgh Federation…

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Regulation

Energy Markets Need Reform, Not Subsidies

  • Gordon Tomb
  • February 12, 2018

How many industries can withstand a more than threefold increase in regulatory costs in a decade? Few, if any. Yet that's the reality for nuclear power plants. An…

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