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
Government Accountability
Are All Lawmakers Crooks?
This past Friday, former State Rep. Mike Veon, who had served as PA House Democrat Whip, was sentenced to 6 to 14 years in prison for his role in…
Media
Read More: Are All Lawmakers Crooks?Government Accountability
Rendell Requests Another Federal Bailout
Gov. Ed Rendell is at it again, lobbying the federal government for “Stimulus 4” (following the 2008 Bush stimulus, the 2009 Obama stimulus, and the 2010 “jobs bill”) demanding another…
Media
Read More: Rendell Requests Another Federal BailoutGovernment Accountability
PA Teacher Unions Endorse Reduced Pension Benefits, Deferring Contributions
An amendment to the pension deferral bill in the Pennsylvania House would reduce the retirement benefits for new state and school employees, but would continue Gov. Rendell’s proposed…
Media
Read More: PA Teacher Unions Endorse Reduced Pension Benefits, Deferring ContributionsGovernment Accountability
Tort Reform Opponents: “Let Us Eat Cake”
This month the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) released its U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report chronicling the critical condition of tort, one facet of America’s law system. Pennsylvania shuffles…
Media
Read More: Tort Reform Opponents: “Let Us Eat Cake”Government Accountability
Why Every Teacher Should Stop Paying PSEA Dues
A couple of stories about Pennsylvania’s pension crisis reveal some crazy talk (HT Grassroots PA). First, in an article covering some proposed reforms, Gov. Rendell claims gambling will…
Media
Read More: Why Every Teacher Should Stop Paying PSEA DuesPublic Union Democracy
Public Sector Unions and Rent-Seeking
Last week, Nathan Benefield blogged how the average public sector employee earns a 34% higher salary and 66% more in employer benefits than the average private sector employee.
Media
Read More: Public Sector Unions and Rent-SeekingGovernment Accountability
Budget Ideas for PA from Other States
The April 2010 edition of the Inside ALEC newsletter has a number of ideas Pennsylvania lawmakers should look at to balance the state budget, and for long-term fiscal reform.
Media
Read More: Budget Ideas for PA from Other StatesPublic Union Democracy
Are Government Workers Underpaid?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a new report showing state and local government workers earn far more than their private sector counterparts. The Wall Street Journal…
Media
Read More: Are Government Workers Underpaid?Government Accountability
Judical Merit Selection Info
A proposed Pennsylvania state constitutional amendment on merit selection of judges is/was the subject of a press conference today, feature the most recent living Pennsylvania governors. The topic was spurred…
Media
Read More: Judical Merit Selection InfoGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
The Commonwealth Foundation has been mentioned in some recent state blogs: Tony Phyrillas posted our video of Maurice McTigue, offering Pennsylvania some economic tips, at our Policy and Principles…
Media
Read More: CF Blog RoundupGovernment Accountability
Accurate Information About a Part-Time Legislature
Senator Daylin Leach opined in the Post-Gazette over the weekend, defending the legislature he serves in (previously as a House member) against the Grand Jury report calling for…
Media
Read More: Accurate Information About a Part-Time LegislatureGovernment Accountability
On Partisan Legislative Staffers
One recommendation of the Grand Jury report release this week was that the Pennsylvania General Assembly should move from hiring partisan staff for each caucus to having a centralized…
Media
Read More: On Partisan Legislative StaffersPublic Union Democracy
CF Joins Coalition Opposing Bailout of Union Pensions
The Commonwealth Foundation joined with 50 other organizations in opposing using taxpayer funds to bailout private pensions; see the news release from Americans for Tax Reform. Two separate bills,…
Media
Read More: CF Joins Coalition Opposing Bailout of Union PensionsGovernment Accountability
Grand Jury Demands Legislative Reform
The long-awaited grand jury report written in response to the Bonusgate trials has declared that the grossly inefficient Pennsylvania legislature needs an overhaul. The grand jury wrote, “The current…
Media
Read More: Grand Jury Demands Legislative ReformPublic Union Democracy
Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union Membership
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a crucial piece of legislation – a resolution honoring our old “friend” Bill George, outgoing head of the PA AFL-CIO. What…
Media
Read More: Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union MembershipGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Budget Presentation
Below you can find my latest version of a presentation on the Pennsylvania state budget and economic policy. PA Budget and…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget PresentationGovernment Accountability
The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA
Everyone loves to hate "special interests." They spend millions of dollars in electing and lobbying public officials in order to gain political or legislative favor. So it was no surprise…
Commentary
Read More: The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PAPublic Union Democracy
Obama’s Run-Around of Congress
Q: What do Card Check and Net Neutrality have in common? A: They are bad policy ideas Congress won’t pass, yet the White House is finding ways to work…
Media
Read More: Obama’s Run-Around of CongressGovernment Accountability
Corbett Wins, Subpoenas Twitter for Names of His Critics
As part of the Grand Jury investigation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has filed a subpoena against Twitter to reveal the names of two anonymous Twitter accounts (HT…
Media
Read More: Corbett Wins, Subpoenas Twitter for Names of His CriticsGovernment Accountability
Conklin Would Serve as LG and State Rep
If the results hold, and they remain extremely close, Scott Conklin would be the Democrat nominee for Lieutenant Governor and for reelection to his PA House seat. Conklin recently promised…
Media
Read More: Conklin Would Serve as LG and State RepGovernment Accountability
Election Day Live Chat
Join Commonwealth Foundation staff and PA Independent reporters, as well as invited bloggers, to discuss the Pennsylvania primary election results and happenings throughout the day. Post your questions and…
Media
Read More: Election Day Live Chat