Pennsylvania 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.

Public Union Democracy

PA is One Step Closer to Outlawing Harassment

  • April 22, 2015

Sarina Rose, VP of Development for Post Brothers Apartments, knows firsthand what its like to be harassed. She was verbally berated and threatened in a Philadelphia restaurant. But because the…

Media

Read More: PA is One Step Closer to Outlawing Harassment

Government Accountability

Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in Senate

  • April 22, 2015

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in Senate Openness Sought in Closed-Door Negotiations Costing Billions…

Press Release

Read More: Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in Senate

Public Union Democracy

This Unionization Scheme is About Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 20, 2015

I am angry. As my colleague Dawn pointed out last week, ballots were mailed to home health care workers asking them whether or not they want to be represented by the…

Media

Read More: This Unionization Scheme is About Money

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Wolf’s Stealth Unionization of Home Health Care Workers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 20, 2015

In 2015, Gov. Wolf issued an executive order paving the way for unionization of homecare workers in Pennsylvania. These workers provide in-home medical and personal care. Many of these workers are…

Memo

Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Stealth Unionization of Home Health Care Workers

Public Union Democracy

“This is Not a Union Ballot”

  • April 15, 2015

This is not a union ballot, according Jeffrey Sheridan, press secretary for Gov. Wolf. The ballot you see was mailed to a home health care worker. Gov. Wolf…

Media

Read More: “This is Not a Union Ballot”

Public Union Democracy

Wolf’s Stealth Unionization is Happening Now

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 14, 2015

Two lawsuits filed in Commonwealth Court last week say Gov. Wolf’s February executive order is an illegal attempt to unionize thousands of Pennsylvania homecare workers. But…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s Stealth Unionization is Happening Now

Education

Trapped: One Teacher Tells His Story

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 9, 2015

Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…

Media

Read More: Trapped: One Teacher Tells His Story

Public Union Democracy

“Ludicrous” Union Dues Skim Faces Lawsuits

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 8, 2015

On Monday, two separate lawsuits were filed in response to Gov. Wolf’s February executive order which opens the door to unionizing tens of thousands of home health care…

Media

Read More: “Ludicrous” Union Dues Skim Faces Lawsuits

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order Hurts Home Health Care Recipients

  • April 8, 2015

Our friends at the Fairness Center (TFC) filed a lawsuit this week defending against stealth unionization of homecare workers across Pennsylvania. In their lawsuit, TFC argues Gov. Wolf’s…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order Hurts Home Health Care Recipients

Government Accountability

Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 7, 2015

State union contracts worth billions of taxpayer dollars would be available for public inspection before being signed by the governor, if proposals unveiled by two state Senators become law. The…

Media

Read More: Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Education

Trapped: One Teacher’s Story

  • April 6, 2015

Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…

Media

Read More: Trapped: One Teacher’s Story

Public Union Democracy

Empowering Public Employees

  • April 6, 2015

The laws governing Pennsylvania’s labor unions are fraught with problems. They confer numerous privileges to unions—government unions in particular—at the expense of public employees and taxpayers. This isn’t how our…

Media

Read More: Empowering Public Employees

Government Accountability

Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining Process

  • April 1, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf has an opportunity to deliver a fresh start to Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process. Over the next few months, the governor and his administration will be negotiating…

Media

Read More: Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining Process

Public Union Democracy

Injustice is a Product of Labor Disputes

  • April 1, 2015

Stalking, harassment and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction are all legal activities in Pennsylvania. It’s almost impossible to believe, but yes, these abusive acts are permitted when…

Media

Read More: Injustice is a Product of Labor Disputes

Government Accountability

Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually

  • April 1, 2015

Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901   Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually Artificial Wage Inflation Harms School Districts, Local Governments, and Taxpayers Wouldn’t a billion…

Press Release

Read More: Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually

Public Union Democracy

Prevailing Wage Reform in Pennsylvania

  • April 1, 2015

Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law was enacted in 1961, mandating that state and local governments pay construction contractors wages that “prevail” in each region on projects costing $25,000 or more. This…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Prevailing Wage Reform in Pennsylvania

Education

Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions

  • James Paul
  • March 30, 2015

Is American democracy under assault? That’s a question often asked when businesses exert political influence, unelected bureaucrats misuse power, or reporters engage in slanted storytelling. It’s time to add public-school…

Commentary

Read More: Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions

Government Accountability

Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him Millions

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 26, 2015

Wolf received more than $2.6 million in campaign contributions from six of the government unions with whom he will be negotiating. How does Wolf square these contributions to his…

Commentary

Read More: Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him Millions

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government

  • March 24, 2015

Did you know the Wolf administration is in the process of negotiating contracts with some of the governor’s biggest campaign contributors? It’s true. Government unions gave more than $2.6 million…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government