Public Union Democracy
Unions should be about employees, not about politics
Originally published at The Hill “I’ll be honest with you,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a recent podcast interview. “I’m a Democrat, but they have f—ed…
Read More: Unions should be about employees, not about politicsPennsylvania will only become a beacon for opportunity when its policies are in the hands of taxpayers and citizens, not special interests and bureaucrats. It’s vital that our government is accountable to the people—not organizations or institutions. Policies that advance transparency and restore workers’ rights are the keys to this happening.
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Public Union Democracy
What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers
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,…
Media
Read More: What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector WorkersPublic Union Democracy
Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam
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…
Media
Read More: Ending the Government Union Skimming ScamGovernment Accountability
Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members
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…
Media
Read More: Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize MembersEducation
Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations
“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” These words are as true today as…
Media
Read More: Transparency a Must for Philly School Board NominationsGovernment Accountability
Are PA Courts Biased Against Employers?
Every year, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) produces a report announcing the “Judicial Hellholes” across the nation. In the 2017 edition, Pennsylvania makes their list- twice. The…
Media
Read More: Are PA Courts Biased Against Employers?Government Accountability
Restoring State Budget Transparency
A House appropriations subcommittee hosted a hearing last week on Pennsylvania’s tax structure and fiscal policy. One of the issues highlighted – Pennsylvania’s lack of state budget transparency. Robert P.
Media
Read More: Restoring State Budget TransparencyEducation
New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School District
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney recently appointed a 13-member nominating panel that will shape the district’s new school board. High on the panel’s list of requirements should be instilling a…
Media
Read More: New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School DistrictPublic Union Democracy
Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal Groups
No one should be forced to fund values they disagree with—yet that’s exactly what’s happening to union members. Dues collected from workers’ paychecks, often at taxpayer expense, are used for…
Media
Read More: Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal GroupsPublic Union Democracy
2017 Labor Reform Roundup
Is Pennsylvania a worker-friendly state? According to our updated, comprehensive report grading each state’s public sector labor laws’, the answer is no. Pennsylvania ranks a measly “D” compared to others…
Media
Read More: 2017 Labor Reform RoundupEducation
Taxpayers Notch Another Win Against Ghost Teaching
Reading residents received an early Christmas present this week, as the city’s teachers’ union agreed to reimburse taxpayers for the costs of ghost teaching in the Reading School District.
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Read More: Taxpayers Notch Another Win Against Ghost TeachingPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Timeline
Paycheck protection is a commonsense reform that moves Pennsylvania a significant step closer to ethical government. Though recently stalled in the House, a brief history of paycheck protection demonstrates…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection TimelinePublic Union Democracy
Fifty State Labor Report 2017
We've updated a nationwide comparison of public sector labor laws - Pennsylvania again scores a D.
Report
Read More: Fifty State Labor Report 2017Public Union Democracy
SB 166 Falls Short in the House
Last night, Pennsylvania’s government union leaders preserved their exclusive political privilege. By a close vote of 90-102, the state House voted down SB 166 which would have prohibited…
Media
Read More: SB 166 Falls Short in the HouseGovernment Accountability
Overhauling Pennsylvania’s Budget Practices
Pennsylvania’s broken budget process hurts working Pennsylvanians. In the last two years, the state legislature passed spending packages, which Gov. Wolf allowed to become law without his signature, before authorizing…
Memo
Read More: Overhauling Pennsylvania’s Budget PracticesPublic Union Democracy
House Nears Vote to Protect Public Resources
This Monday, House lawmakers have a chance to vote for landmark ethics reform, Senate Bill 166 Passing this legislation – and sending it to the Senate and governor for approval…
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SB 166: Restoring Integrity to PA Government
Pennsylvania has a golden opportunity to enact good government reform, so it’s worth reiterating why SB 166, which House lawmakers continue to debate, deserves legislative approval and the governor’s…
Media
Read More: SB 166: Restoring Integrity to PA GovernmentPublic Union Democracy
It’s Time to Enact Paycheck Protection Once and For All
Here's the bottom line: Taxpayers shouldn't be the middleman for anyone's political agenda, which is why Pa. needs SB 166.
Commentary
Read More: It’s Time to Enact Paycheck Protection Once and For AllPublic Union Democracy
Pennsylvania Needs Good Government Reform
Pennsylvanians deserve state and local government that enforces ethical standards across the board. Yet for years, a glaring exception has allowed government union leaders alone to use public resources to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Needs Good Government ReformPublic Union Democracy
Four Reasons to Pass SB 166
A House committee passed SB 166 last month to end taxpayer-funded collection of campaign money. Here are four reasons this legislation should garner the full support of House members…
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Read More: Four Reasons to Pass SB 166Public Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Toolkit
Currently, state and local governments, including school districts, use taxpayer-funded payroll systems and public employee time to collect union campaign contributions as well as union membership dues, a portion of…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Paycheck Protection ToolkitGovernment Accountability
A Step Towards Smarter Spending
The governor and state lawmakers are taking a step towards tackling our spending problem. On Tuesday a bicameral group of state lawmakers introduced a zero-based budgeting bill. This proposal would…
Media
Read More: A Step Towards Smarter Spending