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
Government Accountability
PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses
I have often remarked that the exorbitant costs of Pennsylvania legislators’ per diems (see Tribune Review and ABC 27 stories) – that they receive to pay for food…
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Read More: PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy HousesGovernment Accountability
Lower Legislative Pay = Better Government
A new study of state legislative pay and party competition in the American Political Science Review, finds that, in addition to greater party competition, modest pay for legislators leads…
Media
Read More: Lower Legislative Pay = Better GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Where has PA Stimulus Money Gone?
I’ve gotten a couple requests for information on where Pennsylvania’s stimulus money has gone. The Pennsylvania stimulus site is here. …
Media
Read More: Where has PA Stimulus Money Gone?Government Accountability
The True Purpose of Lobbyist Disclosure
I have recently learned the true motives behind Pennsylvania’s recent lobbyist disclosure law — as I, and everyone else on staff who registered with the state as a lobbyist has…
Media
Read More: The True Purpose of Lobbyist DisclosureGovernment Accountability
Biennial Legislatures
NCSL has a new podcast discussing biennial legislatures – i.e. states where the General Assembly meets for a limited session every two years. There have been a handful of…
Media
Read More: Biennial LegislaturesGovernment Accountability
The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators Back
State Rep. Frank Oliver announced he will be retiring at the end of his term. This retirement – along with those of Sen. Bob Mellow, Sen. Barry Stout, and…
Media
Read More: The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators BackPublic Union Democracy
The Impact of Unions on Public Policy
The latest Cato Journal takes on the topic of “Are Unions Good for America?” The journal features a number of good articles on issues of relevance nationally and in…
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Read More: The Impact of Unions on Public PolicyGovernment Accountability
The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?
Darwyyn Deyo reports that the PA House of Representatives is moving from away from paper newsletters to email newsletters to registered voters. This is a good move, likely to…
Media
Read More: The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?Government Accountability
CF Blog Round Up
Here is what the Commonwealth Foundation has bloggers discussing this week: The Pennsylvania Guardian links our work monitoring Pennsylvania’s deficit Conservative Network Reform Blog highlights our analysis of…
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Read More: CF Blog Round UpPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Complicit in Pension Debacle
The PSEA has a ridiculous new video calling on members to demand state lawmakers “keep their promise” on pension plans – essentially saying “don’t reform the system at all,”…
Media
Read More: PSEA Complicit in Pension DebaclePublic Union Democracy
Growth of Government Unions in Pennsylvania
Eric Boehm notes the growth of public-sector union members (which now represent a majority of union members nation-wide) and the decline of private union members in Pennsylvania. More…
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Read More: Growth of Government Unions in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Live Webinar: Job Opportunities in Public Policy
Looking for a career path that will enable you to advance the ideas of liberty? Already in a position, but looking to gain the professional skills and management training to…
Media
Read More: Live Webinar: Job Opportunities in Public PolicyPublic Union Democracy
Dude, Where’s My Raise?
A struggling economy and high unemployment left many without their yearly raise or bonus in 2009. That is, of course, unless you were a government employee. As originally reported on…
Media
Read More: Dude, Where’s My Raise?Government Accountability
Hearing on Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office
The PA House and Senate Finance Committees held a joint hearing on creating a “Independent Fiscal Office”. The IFO was authorized in the fiscal code (part of the budget deal),…
Media
Read More: Hearing on Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal OfficeGovernment Accountability
Hyperbole and Hypocrisy on Campaign Finance Ruling
A must read article about the Citizen’s United case and the supposed destruction of democracy. Many states, including Illinois and Maryland, allow corporate contributions to state candidates. As…
Media
Read More: Hyperbole and Hypocrisy on Campaign Finance RulingGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
Here are some recent Commonwealth Foundation mentions from various blogs: Bill Lawrence cites our alternatives to tolling I-80. GrassrootsPA gives us linkage on commentaries on Term Limits…
Media
Read More: CF Blog RoundupGovernment Accountability
Time for a Part-Time Legislature?
Pennsylvania House Republicans Gordon Denlinger, Tim Krieger, and Bryan Cutler unveiled legislation that would return Pennsylvania to a part-time legislature. The bill, HB 1554, would limit sessions to…
Media
Read More: Time for a Part-Time Legislature?Government Accountability
More on Corporations and Free Speech
Following the Supreme Court ruling that our First Amendment right to free speech applied to corporations’ speech regarding candidates for federal office – a ruling started when the FEC…
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Read More: More on Corporations and Free SpeechGovernment Accountability
Free Political Speech and Paycheck Protection
The US Supreme Court today upheld that the First Amendment protects speech around elections from corporations and unions. The case concerns Citizens United, which produced a film Hillary: The Movie,…
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Read More: Free Political Speech and Paycheck ProtectionGovernment Accountability
CF Challenges Gov. Rendell to Explain What’s In the Bill
Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told Fox News that voters oppose the current health care reform proposal because “the administration and its supporters, myself included, haven’t…
Press Release
Read More: CF Challenges Gov. Rendell to Explain What’s In the BillGovernment Accountability
The Perfidy of Per Diems
ABC 27 story covers the tens of thousands of dollars lawmakers receive in per diems (i.e. money ostensibly for food and lodging, though lawmakers need not offer any receipts).
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