Public Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election CyclePennsylvania 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.
Related Issues
Public Union Democracy
Pennsylvania’s Ghost Teachers
Collective bargaining agreements in many Pennsylvania school districts permit school employees to take a full-time leave of absence from the classroom to perform union work. While on leave doing union work,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Ghost TeachersPublic Union Democracy
Pennsylvania’s Pension Funds Still on a Collision Course
If Pennsylvania were a ship, say the Titanic, then the iceberg that ship is bearing down on is the commonwealth’s public pension funds. At a combined $63.2 billion in debt,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Pension Funds Still on a Collision CourseEducation
Wolf Admin. Thanks Excellent Teachers, But Won’t Protect Them
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released a video featuring Secretary Pedro Rivera congratulating students for completing a school year. He praises children for “show[ing] up each and every…
Media
Read More: Wolf Admin. Thanks Excellent Teachers, But Won’t Protect ThemGovernment Accountability
Jane Leader Janeczek Elected Commonwealth Foundation Board Chair
Jane Leader Janeczek Elected Commonwealth Foundation Board Chair Daughter of Former Governor Brings Passion for Reform to New Role May 24, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of…
Press Release
Read More: Jane Leader Janeczek Elected Commonwealth Foundation Board ChairGovernment Accountability
Campaign for Contract Transparency Continues
CF has written at length about the lack of collective bargaining transparency in Pennsylvania’s school districts. Generally, school boards refuse to reveal the details of a…
Media
Read More: Campaign for Contract Transparency ContinuesEducation
Wolf Sacrifices Great Teachers for Union Approval
Wolf Sacrifices Great Teachers for Union Approval Governor Vetoes Protecting Excellent Teachers Act May 18, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Gov. Tom Wolf today chose to side with teachers’ union leaders over…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Sacrifices Great Teachers for Union ApprovalEducation
Restoring Teachers’ Rights
Teacher Linda Misja is a religious objector to unionism, and as such, can donate the equivalent of her fair share fee–otherwise owed to the union–to charity. But four years ago,…
Media
Read More: Restoring Teachers’ RightsPublic Union Democracy
House Committee Votes to Protect Religious Objectors to Unionism
House Committee Votes to Protect Religious Objectors to Unionism Bill Would End Union Control over Employees’ Charitable Contributions May 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Most Pennsylvanians take for…
Press Release
Read More: House Committee Votes to Protect Religious Objectors to UnionismEducation
Senate Protects Excellent Teachers, Sends Bill to Wolf
In a crucial victory for both students and teachers, the Protecting Excellent Teachers Act passed the Senate this afternoon with a vote of 26 to 22. HB 805, championed…
Media
Read More: Senate Protects Excellent Teachers, Sends Bill to WolfPublic Union Democracy
Pension Debt Grows by Another Billion
Last week the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) announced its total unfunded liability increased from $18.44 billion in 2015 to $18.79 billion. In truth, SERS'…
Media
Read More: Pension Debt Grows by Another BillionGovernment Accountability
Tomorrow’s Two Ballot Questions for Every Party
Tomorrow's primary election is largely a partisan affair in which only registered Republicans or Democrats can vote for the presidential nominee and nominees for state office. But there is one…
Media
Read More: Tomorrow’s Two Ballot Questions for Every PartyGovernment Accountability
Historic Victory for Transparency
Gov. Tom Wolf just signed Senate Bill 644, empowering the Independent Fiscal Office to estimate the cost of government union contracts before they are finalized. Matthew Brouillette, president and…
Media
Read More: Historic Victory for TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Pa. Brings Transparency to State Union Contracts
Pa. Brings Transparency to State Union Contracts Gov. Wolf Signs Historic Reform Shining Light on Collective Bargaining Costs April 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Gov. Tom Wolf today signed…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Brings Transparency to State Union ContractsGovernment Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation Board Names New President and CEO
Commonwealth Foundation Board Names New President & CEO Executive Vice President Charles Mitchell to Take Helm on July 1 April 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Board Names New President and CEOGovernment Accountability
Poll: Wolf Approval Plummets, Far Lower Than Corbett or Rendell at Same Point
Poll: Wolf Approval Plummets, Lower Than Corbett or Rendell at Same Point 35 Percent Approve, 52 Percent Disapprove in Latest Q-Poll April 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Following the…
Press Release
Read More: Poll: Wolf Approval Plummets, Far Lower Than Corbett or Rendell at Same PointPublic Union Democracy
8 Labor Reforms to Protect Public Workers and Taxpayers
Pennsylvania's labor laws and practices heavily favor union executives at the expense of public employees and taxpayers. To level the playing field, state lawmakers should work to eliminate the host of…
Memo
Read More: 8 Labor Reforms to Protect Public Workers and TaxpayersGovernment Accountability
Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government that Works” plan to reform contracting practices and increase transparency in government. Now, the state Legislature has given Wolf…
Media
Read More: Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s SignatureGovernment Accountability
Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’?
Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’? Government Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature April 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government…
Press Release
Read More: Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’?Government Accountability
Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture
Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture 14-Year Tenure Saw Exponential Growth of State’s Free-Market Think Tank April 5, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After 14 years…
Press Release
Read More: Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New VentureGovernment Accountability
Big Win for Transparency
One year ago, Governor Tom Wolf began negotiating contracts worth billions of dollars with state employee unions. Despite his rhetoric about improving government transparency, these negotiations took place behind closed doors.
Media
Read More: Big Win for TransparencyGovernment Accountability
House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency
House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency Would Lift Veil of Cost Secrecy from Government Union Deals March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed…
Press Release
Read More: House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency