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
Four of Six PA Governor Candidates Favor State Constitutional Convention
At a forum for Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates last week, Tom Corbett, Jack Wagner, Joe Hoeffel, and Dan Onorato all express some support for a state constitutional convention, at least…
Media
Read More: Four of Six PA Governor Candidates Favor State Constitutional ConventionGovernment Accountability
In Defense of Political Anonymity
Former FEC Chief Bradley Smith has a good article in the winter issue of City Journal on the problems with campaign finance disclosure. Imagine if the George W.
Media
Read More: In Defense of Political AnonymityPublic Union Democracy
You’ve Been Duped
Apparently our April Fools Day news release hit a little too close to home for some. We announced that under new…
Media
Read More: You’ve Been DupedGovernment Accountability
CF Supports Dedicated Funding Stream and Individual Mandate
Harrisburg – Today, CF staff joined with state lawmakers to announce new legislation that would create a dedicated funding stream for the Commonwealth Foundation. The measure, HB 4110, creates an…
Press Release
Read More: CF Supports Dedicated Funding Stream and Individual MandateGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidate Survey
The Commonwealth Foundation asked each of the candidates in the May primary for Pennsylvania Governor to answer a series of 20 questions about state economic and fiscal policy. Answers…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidate SurveyGovernment Accountability
Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy Lobby
Colorado residents are fighting back against the powerful renewable energy lobby via ballot initiative. The Western Tradition Partnership, a grassroots citizens group, said they would attack the renewables…
Media
Read More: Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy LobbyGovernment Accountability
Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff
In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…
Media
Read More: Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in TiffGovernment Accountability
Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health
Like previous deals given to Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Speaker Pelosi and President Obama offered reluctant House Democrats more favors in exchange for their support…
Media
Read More: Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger HealthGovernment Accountability
An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?
Cross Posted at The Triadvocate House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) argues that “a two-year budget is impractical in our modern world” and that the current annual budget cycle…
Media
Read More: An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?Government Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
It’s time for another edition of the CF Policy Blog Roundup. Capitol Ideas keeps the link love coming by pointing to our post on the NTU’s rating of PA’s…
Media
Read More: CF Blog RoundupGovernment Accountability
The Case for a Part-Time Legislature
There is a direct link between our full-time legislature and our state economy. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis shows a strong connection between legislative professionalization and higher spending per capita, a…
Commentary
Read More: The Case for a Part-Time LegislatureGovernment Accountability
Sunshine Week…Time for Spending Transparency in PA
This week is Sunshine Week, created to promote open government and celebrate James Madison’s birthday (which is today, and an aside, he is my favorite founding father). Now would…
Media
Read More: Sunshine Week…Time for Spending Transparency in PAGovernment Accountability
When Will These Guys Learn?
Pennsylvania Independent reports on two PA House contracts for voter lists, costing taxpayers over $225,000. Readers will recognize that this sounds quite a bit like the actions of former…
Media
Read More: When Will These Guys Learn?Government Accountability
Need for an Independent Fiscal Office in PA?
A new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office was the subject of a recent legislative hearing this week, with several lawmakers arguing the need for the office (which was included in…
Media
Read More: Need for an Independent Fiscal Office in PA?Government Accountability
The Case for a Citizen Legislature
The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Case for a Citizen LegislatureGovernment Accountability
For Whom The Turnpike Tolls
Tolls are appropriate because they are imposed directly upon travelers for their use of roads. However, the plan to toll I-80 represents more than a toll. It is also a…
Commentary
Read More: For Whom The Turnpike TollsGovernment Accountability
Debating a Constitutional Convention
Following Jack Wagner’s announcement that he supports a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention (he is, I believe, the only candidate for PA Governor to yet endorse a Con Con) has cause…
Media
Read More: Debating a Constitutional ConventionPublic Union Democracy
Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests
Gov. Rendell, of course, didn't declare war on all special interests - only those who oppose his tax-borrow-and-spend agenda. For example, while he lambasts the natural gas industry for opposing…
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s War on (Some) Special InterestsPublic Union Democracy
Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment
David Henderson has a post up on the Econlog blog about how unemployment benefits increase the unemployment rate. He cites himself, the Federal Reserve, and Obama economic advisor Larry…
Media
Read More: Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher UnemploymentGovernment Accountability
State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s Cronyism
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a story about the state paying to lease office space, even though they’ve closed the office. But the more interesting part of the is…
Media
Read More: State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s CronyismPublic Union Democracy
Teacher Unions Bankrupting the State
The pension crisis has been looming large throughout the state, yet pension reform proposals in Pennsylvania have been met with protests by school employees unions. The Pottstown…
Media
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