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.
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Education
Teachers’ Union Wants Lower Teacher Standards
Four years ago, Pittsburgh School District, the second-largest in Pennsylvania, embarked on an innovative effort to evaluate teachers. Administrators and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) collaborated to create…
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Read More: Teachers’ Union Wants Lower Teacher StandardsPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Pours $3.8 Million Into Politics
In the last year, the Pennsylvania State Education Association poured $3.8 million of its members’ dues into “political activities and lobbying,” according to its 2013 financial disclosure report. That’s an…
Media
Read More: PSEA Pours $3.8 Million Into PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
Union Gave $650,000 from Teachers’ Dues to Anti-Republican Group
Remember the shadowy group, Pennsylvanians for Accountability, which ran “shell game” prime time attack ads on Gov. Tom Corbett for “bankrolling big tax cuts for his corporate backers”? The…
Media
Read More: Union Gave $650,000 from Teachers’ Dues to Anti-Republican GroupPublic Union Democracy
Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save Pensions
“They are going to take away your pension!” is a common scare tactic used by Pennsylvania government union leaders to oppose pension reform (even though private school unions have…
Media
Read More: Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save PensionsPublic Union Democracy
What Teachers Are Saying About Union Reform
One teacher called it “a kick in the teeth.” Another used the word “extortion.” What are these teachers talking about? The practice in Pennsylvania of teachers’ union dues…
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Podcast: Would You Join Matt’s Education Association?
For a small annual fee of $669, you can join Matt’s political organization called the MEA—Matt’s Education Association. You’ll join? Great! Don’t worry about writing a check. Government will withhold…
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Read More: Podcast: Would You Join Matt’s Education Association?Public Union Democracy
Teachers Decry Unions’ “Unfair” Privilege
Ellwood City public school teacher John Cress is speaking up against the forced political speech he had to pay for via his union dues to the Pennsylvania State Education Association:…
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Read More: Teachers Decry Unions’ “Unfair” PrivilegePublic Union Democracy
Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics (Again)
Last week we highlighted a number of election-related ads the Pennsylvania State Education Association paid for using its members’ dues money—without their permission or knowledge. The state’s largest teachers…
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Read More: Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics (Again)Public Union Democracy
Get rich quick! Start your own union
Do I have a deal for you! For a small annual fee of $669, you can join a political organization I’m starting called the MEA—Matt’s Education Association.
Commentary
Read More: Get rich quick! Start your own unionPublic Union Democracy
Union Dues Pay for PSEA Politics
“If you DON’T care about funds for your school…then by all means throw this away,” reads a June 2011 insert in PSEA Voice, the magazine of the 185,000-strong Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Union Dues Pay for PSEA PoliticsEducation
Union Dues Backing Political Groups Prompted My Resignation
This perspective on union spending by Pennsylvania public school teacher John Cress originally appeared at Free to Teach, a project of the Commonwealth Foundation. I have been a middle school…
Media
Read More: Union Dues Backing Political Groups Prompted My ResignationGovernment Accountability
Obama Supporter Soured by Obamacare Ordeal
Lynn Larrick doesn't fit the usual profile of someone angry with President Obama. She's a staunch Democrat, a retired Philadelphia teacher, and a union member. But when she—like more than…
Commentary
Read More: Obama Supporter Soured by Obamacare OrdealPublic Union Democracy
How Taxpayers Subsidize Union Politics
Last year, Pennsylvania’s main government unions spent nearly $5 million of their members’ union dues on political activities that workers don’t get to approve. In 2011-12, these unions also…
Media
Read More: How Taxpayers Subsidize Union PoliticsEducation
Teacher: Forced Union Dues a “Kick in the Teeth”
This perspective on union spending by Pennsylvania public school teacher Rob Brough originally appeared at Free to Teach, a project of the Commonwealth Foundation. I left my teachers union…
Media
Read More: Teacher: Forced Union Dues a “Kick in the Teeth”Education
School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?
Pennsylvania earned a “C+” for providing citizens information on how public schools spend money, according to a recent report from the Cato Institute titled “Cracking the…
Media
Read More: School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?Government Accountability
Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord
State Treasurer Rob McCord received endorsements for governor last week from two government unions—UFCW 1776 and AFSCME. That means big money from union PACs to his campaign. The…
Media
Read More: Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCordGovernment Accountability
TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare
In a scathing investigative report, Chris Papst at CBS 21 revealed a widespread culture in Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare (DPW)—and orders from supervisors—to look past fraudulent claims to enroll…
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Read More: TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public WelfarePublic Union Democracy
Video: The Unintended Consequences of Labor Policy
Did you know that raising the minimum wage harms the low-skilled workers the policy is meant to help? Or that prevailing wage laws artificially increase the cost of public works…
Media
Read More: Video: The Unintended Consequences of Labor PolicyEducation
Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers
It was the last straw for teacher Steve Calabro. When the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) ran advertisements claiming any teacher who didn’t contribute to the union PAC was part…
Commentary
Read More: Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To TaxpayersGovernment Accountability
PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!
This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its annual report. In case reading a 56-page government document isn’t in your weekend plans, here are my notes: Their stated…
Media
Read More: PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!Education
Podcast: Teachers on Union Exploitation – Part 2
Julie Raab and Keith Williams are speaking out about how union influence affects their teaching jobs. They, and many teachers across the state, are fed up with Pennsylvania’s unfair…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Teachers on Union Exploitation – Part 2