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.
Related Issues
Fairness
Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis of Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Election Cycle
October 10, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Commonwealth Foundation today released an analysis of government union political spending during the 2021–22 Pennsylvania election cycle. The report finds that government…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis of Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Election CycleFairness
Government unions have too much power
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette No one dominates political contributions like government unions. They spend millions on elections to buy their out-sized influence on officials and public policy. …
Media Hit
Read More: Government unions have too much powerFairness
Unions should not trample the rights of government workers
Originally published in The Patriot-News Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that no government worker could be forced to pay into a union they…
Media Hit
Read More: Unions should not trample the rights of government workersFairness
Government Union Membership Plummets Post Janus
September 28, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. – The nation’s four largest government unions lost almost 219,000 members combined after the U.S. Supreme Court ended forced unionism for government workers in Janus…
Press Release
Read More: Government Union Membership Plummets Post JanusFairness
The Battle for Worker Freedom in the States: Grading State Public Sector Labor Laws
KEY POINTS In the four years following the Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the nation’s four largest government unions—AFSCME, SEIU, NEA, and AFT—have lost almost 219,000 union…
Report
Read More: The Battle for Worker Freedom in the States: Grading State Public Sector Labor LawsFairness
Government unions are outsized bullies holding workers, taxpayers hostage
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review As we enter election season, it’s time we address the elephant in the room. It’s an elephant with an outsized influence on Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Government unions are outsized bullies holding workers, taxpayers hostageFairness
New Numbers on Political Spending by Government Union Executives
Labor Day is a celebration of the American worker—their contributions and achievements that make this country great. Unfortunately, many American workers are sidelined—even bullied—by organizations that are meant to represent…
Memo
Read More: New Numbers on Political Spending by Government Union ExecutivesFairness
70% of Pennsylvanians believe the state is going in the wrong direction, something that may affect their vote: poll
Originally published at The Patriot -News Nearly seven in 10 Pennsylvanians believe Pennsylvania is headed in the wrong direction and a majority believe the state’s business climate…
Media Hit
Read More: 70% of Pennsylvanians believe the state is going in the wrong direction, something that may affect their vote: pollFairness
New Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Demand a New Path Forward Post-Primary
68% say things in Pennsylvania have “pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track” More than 8-in-10 respondents support overhauling education, taxes, and employee rights Commonwealth Foundation’s…
Media Hit
Read More: New Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Demand a New Path Forward Post-PrimaryFairness
Pennsylvania Teachers’ Unions Get Schooled in the First Amendment
Originally published at National Review In a landmark First Amendment ruling delivered in 2018, the Supreme Court held in Janus v. AFSCME that public-sector unions could not…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Teachers’ Unions Get Schooled in the First AmendmentFairness
Wisconsin’s union law worked. Now it’s Pennsylvania’s turn.
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Talk about unions is heating up. Just look at Amazon and Starbucks. Bernie Sanders says that Democrats need to encourage…
Media Hit
Read More: Wisconsin’s union law worked. Now it’s Pennsylvania’s turn.Fairness
How Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Stalls Education Reform Favored by Taxpayers
Originally published at the Delaware Valley Journal Taxpayer-funded public school lobbyists who favor increased funding at taxpayer expense typically oppose legislation that would expand educational opportunities for the children…
Media Hit
Read More: How Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Stalls Education Reform Favored by TaxpayersFairness
Study: Labor reforms save taxpayers billions and spark economic growth
Feb. 24, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — A new Commonwealth Foundation report examines the impact Wisconsin’s Act 10 has had on balancing budgets, stimulating the economy, and enacting school choice legislation.
Press Release
Read More: Study: Labor reforms save taxpayers billions and spark economic growthFairness
Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union Reform
Key Findings Government unions have enormous political power in Pennsylvania, due to a host of special legal privileges granted in state law.Government union executives use this power to trap government…
Report
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union ReformFairness
Reforms would reduce corruption and restore workers’ rights
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review In Harrisburg, lawmakers are building momentum for a series of reforms that will empower public sector workers and defend taxpayers. The House Labor…
Media Hit
Read More: Reforms would reduce corruption and restore workers’ rightsFairness
Op-Ed: Paycheck protection needed to prevent government payroll from funding partisan political activism
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Under Pennsylvania law, government agencies are permitted to use taxpayer resources to collect and distribute political campaign money on behalf of public employee unions.
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: Paycheck protection needed to prevent government payroll from funding partisan political activismFairness
Op-Ed: Free Speech Suit against Teacher’s Union Could Boost Labor Reform
Originally printed in the Delaware Valley Journal A Pennsylvania court may strike down a labor law that is clearly unconstitutional, but elected officials shouldn’t wait on the legal system to…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: Free Speech Suit against Teacher’s Union Could Boost Labor ReformFairness
Four Bills Would Empower Workers & Protect Taxpayer Resources
January 25, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — Four bills approved by the House Labor and Industry Committee Tuesday could soon bring several key public-sector labor reforms to a House vote. Lawmakers…
Press Release
Read More: Four Bills Would Empower Workers & Protect Taxpayer ResourcesFairness
Op-Ed: How officials use tax dollars in lobbying efforts
Originally published in the PIttsburgh Post-Gazette Used-car salesmen, members of Congress and telemarketers all rank near the bottom of least-trusted professions. The lowest, however, is lobbyist. For decades, media and…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: How officials use tax dollars in lobbying effortsFairness
Op-Ed: Gerrymandering won’t save unpopular candidates
Originally published in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review With state and congressional redistricting underway in Harrisburg, many politicians have blamed “partisan gerrymandering” for past election losses. But this is another instance when the…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: Gerrymandering won’t save unpopular candidatesGovernment Accountability
Study: Pa. Taxpayers on Hook for at Least $42 Million in Lobbying Costs
December 6, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvania taxpayers paid for at least $42 million in lobbying expenses from 2007–2020, according to two reports released today by the Commonwealth Foundation. The $42 million…
Press Release
Read More: Study: Pa. Taxpayers on Hook for at Least $42 Million in Lobbying Costs