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
Qualifications for Governor (HB 2083)
Testimony of Joe Sterns, Director of Communcations, Commonwealth Foundation to the Pennsylvania House State Government CommitteeDecember 14, 2009 Chairwoman Josephs, Chairman Benninghoff, Members of the Committee: The Commonwealth Foundation…
Testimony
Read More: Qualifications for Governor (HB 2083)Government Accountability
Talking Constitutional Convention
Tim Potts talks about a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention with Ron Morris on Pittsburgh Business Radio.
Media
Read More: Talking Constitutional ConventionGovernment Accountability
CF Around the Blogs
Here are some of the recent blogs mentioning or citing the Commonwealth Foundation: Students for Liberty comments on our back-and-forth with Gov. Rendell on education spending and performance and…
Media
Read More: CF Around the BlogsGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Governor Candidates Speak at PASociety
If you didn’t make it to the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association event at PA Society this weekend, Matt Brouillette has a good summary of what the candidates for Pennsylvania governor,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Governor Candidates Speak at PASocietyPublic Union Democracy
Project Labor Agreements
Testimony from the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy CommitteeDecember 09, 2009 We would like to thank the members of the House Republican…
Testimony
Read More: Project Labor AgreementsGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania House Passes Spending Transparency
The Pennsylvania House today passed HB 1880, by a unanimous vote. The bill would create an online, searchable database of all state spending. We are told Gov. Rendell sent…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania House Passes Spending TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Spending Transparency & Accountability
There is a national movement to make government spending and finances accessible to taxpayers. Pennsylvania lags behind, but state lawmakers are moving toward greater transparency.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Spending Transparency & AccountabilityPublic Union Democracy
Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”
Harley’s heavily unionized employees came to a “compromise” through a new contract that will likely keep the company in Pennsylvania. Union leaders said, although they are not satisfied with this…
Media
Read More: Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”Government Accountability
The Honorable Matthew J. Brouillette?
It’s official, I am now an elected official, having won a random drawing – that’s democracy in action – for Judge of Election in my precinct. While I am unsure…
Media
Read More: The Honorable Matthew J. Brouillette?Government Accountability
Pennsylvania Spent $4 Million in Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
The Tribune Review gives a strong exposé on why taxpayers continue to lose – Pennsylvania state and local governments spent $4 million to lobby the federal and state government…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Spent $4 Million in Taxpayer Funded LobbyingPublic Union Democracy
Why Public Sector Unionism Is a Bad Deal for Taxpayers
A recent report by the Cato Institute concluded “High rates of unionization in the public sector have led to very high labor costs in the form of generous collective…
Media
Read More: Why Public Sector Unionism Is a Bad Deal for TaxpayersPublic Union Democracy
Legal Plunder At Its Worst
Let’s see how many dirty political games you can fit into one case – from union thuggery to corporate welfare, to rent-seeking to holding taxpayers and employees hostage – the…
Media
Read More: Legal Plunder At Its WorstEducation
Teacher Merit Pay May Come to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh City Schools may soon finalize their second huge grant. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is granting the system $40 million over 6 and half years to improve…
Media
Read More: Teacher Merit Pay May Come to PittsburghGovernment Accountability
Every Generation Needs A Revolution
Pennsylvania's government is a prime exhibition of Lord Acton's well-known admonition that "power corrupts."…
Commentary
Read More: Every Generation Needs A RevolutionPublic Union Democracy
State Tax Trends
ATR has a new report on state tax trends. In addition to a roundup of state tax changes, the new report highlights trends with policy implications. While we pointed…
Media
Read More: State Tax TrendsGovernment Accountability
What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?
Following the recent “Taxpayers March on Harrisburg,” as well as recent health care protests in Washington DC and elsewhere, a grassroots organizer posed the question, “what should we do now?”…
Media
Read More: What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?Public Union Democracy
Pittsburgh not Prevailing
Pittsburgh City Council President Doug Shields is lobbying support for a prevailing wage law in the municipality. His bill would set prevailing wage rates for most employees working…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh not PrevailingGovernment Accountability
The Useless Resolutions of a Full-Time Legislature
One of the most common critiques of full-time state legislatures is the sheer amount of seemingly useless resolutions – to pander to certain groups of voters – that take up…
Media
Read More: The Useless Resolutions of a Full-Time LegislatureGovernment Accountability
The Illusion of Shrinking State Government
Back in September of 2008, Governor Rendell announced a state-wide hiring freeze in all agencies under his control to help curb declining revenues and a weakened national economy. Now,…
Media
Read More: The Illusion of Shrinking State GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Will State Lawmakers Take a Pay Cut?
As many readers will be aware, Pennsylvania lawmakers, judges, and executive branch officials receive an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), using the CPI for Philadelphia as the measure for inflation. What…
Media
Read More: Will State Lawmakers Take a Pay Cut?Public Union Democracy
Pennsylvania: An Unequal Opportunity Employer
Equal opportunity has long been a cherished ideal in America. Yet state government is engaging in unequal contracting practices. Governor Rendell's administration is mandating discriminatory Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania: An Unequal Opportunity Employer