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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Education
Millions Funneled to Lobbyists by Public Schools
Harrisburg, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation announced today preliminary results from extensive Open Records Requests that found more than $59 million dollars of taxpayer money is being funneled through…
Press Release
Read More: Millions Funneled to Lobbyists by Public SchoolsPublic Union Democracy
Taxpayers First: The New, New Deal
Today, the average government employee enjoys better health care benefits, better pensions, better job security, and an earlier retirement than the average private-sector worker. To pay for this, however, taxpayers…
Commentary
Read More: Taxpayers First: The New, New DealGovernment Accountability
Is Lawsuit Abuse Reform Coming to PA?
Pennsylvania is on its way to joining the 41 states that have either repealed or updated their joint and several liability law. HB 1, known as the Fair…
Media
Read More: Is Lawsuit Abuse Reform Coming to PA?Education
Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania
Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania represents a partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation and the department of economics at Duquesne University. Key findings in these five papers include Over…
Commentary
Read More: Public Policy and Free Enterprise in PennsylvaniaPublic Union Democracy
Prevailing Wage in Pennsylvania
Thank you, Chairman Miller and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify. I’m Matt Brouillette, President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, a nonprofit…
Testimony
Read More: Prevailing Wage in PennsylvaniaEducation
Enacting Effective Merit Pay
Merit pay for teachers, proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett in his budget address, would tie teacher salaries to student progress, instead of increasing salaries annually regardless of performance. Only…
Media
Read More: Enacting Effective Merit PayPublic Union Democracy
Streamlining State Government
Pennsylvania businesses must navigate a complex web of regulations from more than 340 independent state agencies, offices, state departments, boards, commissions, and committees stemming from the executive branch. Several other…
Report
Read More: Streamlining State GovernmentPublic Union Democracy
Streamlining State Government Testimony
Thank you Chairman Smucker and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify before you today. I’m Nate Benefield, Director of Policy Research at the Commonwealth Foundation for…
Testimony
Read More: Streamlining State Government TestimonyPublic Union Democracy
The Tide Against Public Sector Collective Bargaining
Earlier this week, I blogged on state bankruptcy and how some believe budget problems can be solved if states are willing to challenge the…
Media
Read More: The Tide Against Public Sector Collective BargainingEducation
School Choice: Questions & Answers
The Pennsylvania School Board Association is circulating "Questions about vouchers your legislator should be asking." Others have legitimate questions and concerns. This Policy Brief answers them all.
Fact Sheet
Read More: School Choice: Questions & AnswersEducation
15 School Choice Myths
In an attempt to thwart efforts to give children better educational opportunities, the public school establishment is trying to divert the attention of policymakers through a series of oft-repeated myths…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 15 School Choice MythsPublic Union Democracy
Union: We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year?
Spring has almost sprung – seriously, it’s true. Want to see the signs? Pitchers and catchers have reported to the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, it’s looking like 60 degrees in…
Media
Read More: Union: We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year?Education
Rescuing Children from Failing Schools
Chairman Piccola, and members of the Senate Education Committee, thank you for the invitation to testify today on Senate Bill 1. I’m Matt Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth…
Testimony
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PA School District Uses Tax Dollars to Fight School Choice
The West Shore School District—my district, as it happens—has issued a “newsletter” with the clear, but unstated, goal of opposing Senate Bill…
Media
Read More: PA School District Uses Tax Dollars to Fight School ChoiceGovernment Accountability
Podcast: Talking Transparency
In the latest The BOX podcast, Senior Fellow Jeff Coleman sits down with Representative Jim Christiana after the unanimous passage of his transparency legislation in the State House.
Media
Read More: Podcast: Talking TransparencyEducation
Union Dues for More Lobbyists
Last month, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) announced it was raising mandatory dues on teachers and school employees by 11%. Where is that money going? You’d better believe…
Media
Read More: Union Dues for More LobbyistsEducation
New Ad Takes on Teacher Unions
A new full page advertisement for school choice is appearing in newspapers throughout the state this week. Cutting straight to the point, the ad goes after teacher unions and school…
Media
Read More: New Ad Takes on Teacher UnionsGovernment Accountability
Spending Transparency on the Fast Track in PA
Yesterday, Rep. Christiana’s PennWATCH proposal passed the House State Government Committee along with a number of reform measures designed to bring more transparency to state spending. The legislation (HB 15) is scheduled…
Media
Read More: Spending Transparency on the Fast Track in PAGovernment Accountability
2011 Policy Summit Live Video
Watch the Commonwealth Foundation’s 2011 Policy Summit live, beginning at 1 p.m.
Media
Read More: 2011 Policy Summit Live VideoEducation
80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition. To provide a roadmap for…
Report
Read More: 80 Ideas for a Prosperous PennsylvaniaEducation
How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes
Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots…
Commentary
Read More: How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes