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
Audio: Mary’s Law Ends Unfair Political Privilege
Government unions have the luxury of using taxpayers’ resources—which should never be used for politics—to collect their political dues money and direct campaign contributions. Simultaneously, these unions have been wrongly…
Media
Read More: Audio: Mary’s Law Ends Unfair Political PrivilegePublic Union Democracy
Union-Backed Political Group Not Accountable
Here’s your daily dose of irony: Pennsylvanians for Accountability, a union-backed political nonprofit, may have to pay a $50,000 fine for its lack of accountability. According to The Center…
Media
Read More: Union-Backed Political Group Not AccountableGovernment Accountability
Wolf’s Multi-Million Dollar Conflict of Interest
Governor-elect Tom Wolf has come out of the gate leading a charge for ethics reform in government. But if accepting a small gift creates a conflict of interest, the gov.-elect…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Multi-Million Dollar Conflict of InterestPublic Union Democracy
Disappointed and Determined
Today, I am both disappointed and determined. I am disappointed that it is now a mathematical impossibility for any of the reforms you and countless other Pennsylvanians have demanded to…
Media
Read More: Disappointed and DeterminedEducation
Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting For
As a teacher, a father of kids in public schools, and a taxpayer, I urge all our elected officials to join me in standing up for what’s right. Pass a…
Commentary
Read More: Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting ForPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Admits Using Dues for Politics
The Pennsylvania State Education Association admitted using union members’ dues, via a “SuperPAC,” to fund an election mailer supporting Governor-Elect Wolf, following a public apology last month for the mailer’s…
Media
Read More: PSEA Admits Using Dues for PoliticsEducation
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low Expectations
Is it true that schools with high concentrations of low-income students face unique challenges? Yes. Should poverty, along with several other social problems, be understood as a factor that influences…
Media
Read More: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low ExpectationsEducation
Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform
From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…
Commentary
Read More: Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to ReformPublic Union Democracy
Why Corbett Missed the National Wave
Why did voters strongly reject Gov. Corbett’s re-election bid by double digit margins in favor of Tom Wolf—a candidate promising higher taxes on the “rich” and more spending on public…
Commentary
Read More: Why Corbett Missed the National WavePublic Union Democracy
Why we Need Paycheck Protection Now
Today, Commonwealth Foundation released a new summary of election-related spending by Pennsylvania’s government unions. In 2014, the seven largest government unions in the state gave $7.3 million directly to…
Media
Read More: Why we Need Paycheck Protection NowPublic Union Democracy
Millions Spent on Election at Taxpayers’ and Union Members’ Expense
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Four Top Donors to Wolf Campaign Were Gov. Unions Spent a Total of Nearly $9 Million to Choose their…
Press Release
Read More: Millions Spent on Election at Taxpayers’ and Union Members’ ExpenseGovernment Accountability
Government Unions’ Political Spending Dwarfs Natural Gas
A rehashed report from Common Cause PA and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania assert that Marcellus Shale drillers spent $8 million on campaign contributions and $41 million on lobbying in…
Media
Read More: Government Unions’ Political Spending Dwarfs Natural GasEducation
Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?
The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…
Commentary
Read More: Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?Government Accountability
Audio: Election Lessons
This week a “Republican wave” swept the country and propelled many fiscally conservative governors to reelection. And in Pennsylvania, candidates that ran on pension reform, liquor privatization, choice in education,…
Media
Read More: Audio: Election LessonsPublic Union Democracy
Missing the Wave
Last night, candidates embracing free-market policies not only won legislative seats across Pennsylvania and our country, but in states like Wisconsin, Michigan—and even Illinois—gubernatorial candidates who made the case for…
Media
Read More: Missing the WaveGovernment Accountability
Why Did Corbett Miss the Wave?
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Why Did Corbett Miss the Wave? Voters rejected persona, not policies, amidst union-funded demonization Last night, candidates embracing free-market policies won legislative seats across…
Press Release
Read More: Why Did Corbett Miss the Wave?Public Union Democracy
Audio: Teachers & Taxpayers Still Need Paycheck Protection
It’s important to note—especially during election season—that one group of private organizations has an advantage over all others when it comes to funding their political agenda. That group is public…
Media
Read More: Audio: Teachers & Taxpayers Still Need Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
What are Their Priorities?
At at time when teachers are complaining about having to buy school supplies for their students, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) reported spending $3,764,154 from union dues…
Media
Read More: What are Their Priorities?Education
Victory for Student Safety
In an important step for safety in the classroom, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that will put an end to the abhorrent practice of “passing the…
Media
Read More: Victory for Student SafetyPublic Union Democracy
Teachers Pay the Price for their Unions’ Politics
CF recently attended a Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) rally with the goal of bringing our message directly to the teachers and families of Philadelphia. What exactly is our…
Media
Read More: Teachers Pay the Price for their Unions’ PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
Unions Bankroll Candidates on the Backs of Taxpayers
Government unions have not been reluctant to use their exclusive political privilege to finance candidates this election cycle. According to an AP analysis, four of the top ten…
Media
Read More: Unions Bankroll Candidates on the Backs of Taxpayers