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
One Marshamallow Now or Taxpayer Relief Later?
What do preschoolers with marshmallows and Pennsylvania’s pension crisis have in common? Both demonstrate a failure to delay gratification. Dr. Joseph Horton at Grove City College compares Pennsylvania’s pension…
Media
Read More: One Marshamallow Now or Taxpayer Relief Later?Government Accountability
Playing Politics at the PLCB
Politics is getting in the way of reform at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, according to Tribune-Review reporter Kari Andren, who gives us a fascinating look at the internal…
Media
Read More: Playing Politics at the PLCBEducation
Five Facts on the Philadelphia Schools Crisis
Things have reached a fever pitch in Philadelphia as the city’s school district—the eighth-largest in America—is scrambling to close its $300 million deficit and open schools on time. As protestors…
Media
Read More: Five Facts on the Philadelphia Schools CrisisPublic Union Democracy
Who’s Strangling Whom?
Jodi Hirsh wants you to believe that a shadowy, deep-pocketed, Washington-based organization called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has a “stranglehold on our statehouse.” That’s the claim Ms. Hirsh,…
Media
Read More: Who’s Strangling Whom?Government Accountability
New Video: CF President on FOX Business
This morning, CF President & CEO Matthew Brouillette appeared on FOX Business’s Varney & Co. to highlight the public pension crisis facing Pennsylvania and cities and states across the…
Media
Read More: New Video: CF President on FOX BusinessEducation
PSEA’s Political Cartoon Targets Corbett, Belittles Teachers
This perspective was written by Steve Calabro, a cyber charter school educator in Pennsylvania. This latest political email alert from the Pennsylvania State Education Association—using union dues, I might add—is…
Media
Read More: PSEA’s Political Cartoon Targets Corbett, Belittles TeachersPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions Break Cities
An article in today’s Wall Street Journal illustrates how government union leaders halted any reforms that may have prevented Detroit’s bankruptcy: A major expense for Detroit is the…
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Read More: Government Unions Break CitiesPublic Union Democracy
Big Government Party Blocks Bold Reforms
Why haven’t liquor privatization and pension reform passed yet here in Pennsylvania? The reason is that the true divide in the General Assembly is not between the Republicans and Democrats,…
Commentary
Read More: Big Government Party Blocks Bold ReformsPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions Torpedo Agenda
The state budget deadline came and went without passage of any of the “Big Three” policy items—liquor store privatization, pension reform, or transportation tax and fee increases. It was clear…
Media
Read More: Government Unions Torpedo AgendaPublic Union Democracy
Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep Fighting
This past weekend was not for the political faint of heart. Special interests, led by government union bosses and crony capitalists, prevented real liquor privatization and effective pension reform from…
Media
Read More: Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep FightingGovernment Accountability
What Can You Do?
The next hours and days could dramatically shape Pennsylvania’s future, but will it be for the better? As time winds down before the final budget passes, several critical issues hang…
Media
Read More: What Can You Do?Government Accountability
Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” Thingamajig
A few readers responded to my op-ed on corporate tax reform, asking “If you want fairness, why don’t you support ‘ending the Delaware Loophole’?” Unfortunately, many believe that the…
Media
Read More: Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” ThingamajigEducation
Happy National Employee Freedom Week, America
National Employee Freedom Week is about informing workers about their rights and empowering them to exercise their freedoms. Ultimately, there are ways for workers to leave the Hotel California. We…
Commentary
Read More: Happy National Employee Freedom Week, AmericaPublic Union Democracy
Budget Opens Door for Prevailing Wage Reform
Before taxpayers are asked to give more for Pennsylvania’s transportation needs, are current transportation tax dollars being spent wisely? That’s the question several lawmakers are asking, as time winds down…
Media
Read More: Budget Opens Door for Prevailing Wage ReformPublic Union Democracy
Nation Laughs at Pennsylvania
The state government liquor store union is once again running ads showing a young girl at a funeral mourning a parent killed by a drunk driver, then claiming this will…
Media
Read More: Nation Laughs at PennsylvaniaPublic Union Democracy
Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?
Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…
Media
Read More: Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?Public Union Democracy
Pension Crisis Facts: Are 401(k)s Enough?
Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…
Media
Read More: Pension Crisis Facts: Are 401(k)s Enough?Public Union Democracy
Reckless Scheme or Reckless Ad?
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) is spending a million in order to save a million—every year! The UFCW announced a $1 million statewide television ad buy attacking…
Media
Read More: Reckless Scheme or Reckless Ad?Government Accountability
A Life Well Lived: Gov. George M. Leader
This morning, Pennsylvania lost its oldest living governor: George M. Leader, a York County Democrat who served from 1955 to 1959. My colleagues and I had the great pleasure of…
Media
Read More: A Life Well Lived: Gov. George M. LeaderEducation
Penn State Loophole Closed, Taxpayers Get Accountability
More accountability is in the works for Pennsylvania universities. Earlier this week, the House State Government Committee considered legislation requiring Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities to comply with the Right-to-Know Law.
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Read More: Penn State Loophole Closed, Taxpayers Get AccountabilityPublic Union Democracy
Of Unions and “Limited Resources”
After a lament in the American Prospect about how the Left is being outmatched and left behind in state-based advocacy, now The Nation has chimed in with its…
Media
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