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.
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Government Accountability
Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expected
In our latest Pennsylvania Deficit Watch update, we take a look at the current state revenue shortfall, noting Governor Rendell’s revised estimate of a $1.6 Billion shorftall for…
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Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expectedGovernment Accountability
Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”
As new legislators are coming to Harrisburg to be sworn in, Brad Bumsted reports that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have spent $1 million in legal fees (despite the number…
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Read More: Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”Government Accountability
Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?
From the “News of the Weird” (that is the Patriot News local section) is the report that bobblehead’s of Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed are being sold for $75 apiece…
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Read More: Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?Government Accountability
Less than 40 hours to help us meet our goal!
UPDATE from the Commonwealth Foundation12.30.08 $1,315 needed for “40in40” Challenge!With only 40 hours left in 2008, we are $1,315 shy of…
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Read More: Less than 40 hours to help us meet our goal!Government Accountability
Transparency and the Bailout
Transparency is a popular buzzword these days, but does the rhetoric reflect reality? John Stossel investigates the lack of transparency surrounding the bailout.
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Read More: Transparency and the BailoutGovernment Accountability
Taxpayer Funded Lobbying and the Growth of Government
Americans for Prosperity has a new analysis of taxpayer-funded lobbying of the federal government. I don’t want to point out the obvious, but this taxpayer-funded lobbying is almost all…
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Read More: Taxpayer Funded Lobbying and the Growth of GovernmentEducation
Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher walkouts
The Wall Street Journal features an article on teacher strikes in Pennsylvania, noting that the Keystone State leads the nation in school employees strikes. The piece cites a…
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Read More: Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher walkoutsPublic Union Democracy
Taxes, Union Bailouts, and “Crybabies”
Every other Tuesday, Matt Brouillette hosts The Politics of Business on Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio on WMNY 1360 AM from 2-6pm. This week he tackled a variety of issues that rankled at…
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Read More: Taxes, Union Bailouts, and “Crybabies”Public Union Democracy
PSEA: Sampling the Best of PA on Your Tab
The Department of Labor recently added 2008 Union LM2 records to its website. A perusal of PSEA’s LM2 (file number: 512989) reveals that the state’s largest teacher union continues…
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Read More: PSEA: Sampling the Best of PA on Your TabGovernment Accountability
78-Group Coalition Demands Greater Bailout Transparency
The Commonwealth Foundation has joined 77 other organizations in calling for greater transparency for taxpayers in the numerous bailouts being handed out with little oversight. From the news release:…
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Read More: 78-Group Coalition Demands Greater Bailout TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Open government should save taxpayers, not cost them
The Tribune Review has a scathing editorial about Governor Rendell’s decision to charge citizens for the cost of retrieving open records about the government. In contrast, consider Texas,…
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Read More: Open government should save taxpayers, not cost themGovernment Accountability
Transparency: Increase Government Efficiency for Free
The House Democratic Caucus has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by rejecting this year’s COLA’s. Maybe Dr. Stilp got through to them. But the bigger question is how much did Eachus…
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Read More: Transparency: Increase Government Efficiency for FreePublic Union Democracy
PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker Freedom
The Alliance for Worker Freedom has their new scorecard on the 2nd session of the 110th Congress. Key votes include a number of expansion of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws…
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Read More: PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker FreedomEducation
Compulsory unionism doesn’t benefit teachers, students, or taxpayers
PSEA Head honcho James Testerman has a response to a Tribune-Review editorial which called for making PA a right to work state – citing our report on…
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Read More: Compulsory unionism doesn’t benefit teachers, students, or taxpayersGovernment Accountability
Cut Legislature First
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorializes that the first item to be cut from the budget should be the legislature’s budget, noting this is the source of funding for bonuses, no-work…
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Read More: Cut Legislature FirstEducation
We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still
The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.
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Read More: We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…stillGovernment Accountability
PA Lawmakers, Executives, Judges Get Pay Raise
Patriot News story on the 2.8% cost of living increase that Pennsylvania lawmakers will get beginning Dec. 1, and state judges and executive branch officials will get the raise…
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Read More: PA Lawmakers, Executives, Judges Get Pay RaisePublic Union Democracy
Ending secret ballot elections: Change you can believe in?
Rick Berman of the Center for Union Facts writes in the DC Examiner that the first priority of the Obama Administration may well be outlawing secret ballots…
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Read More: Ending secret ballot elections: Change you can believe in?Government Accountability
Open Records Are Not Optional
Editors of The Morning Call criticize Allentown mayor Ed Pawlowski for attempting to keep the cost of police contract negotiations secret despite the city’s home rule charter which specifically…
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Read More: Open Records Are Not OptionalGovernment Accountability
Full-Time Legislators still not the norm
The National Council of State Legislatures has some new data on occupations of state legislators. Here in Pennsylvania, 77.5% reported their occupation as “full-time legislator” (even though PA…
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Read More: Full-Time Legislators still not the normGovernment Accountability
Prizes for bloggers, citizen activists, video producers, and more
Our friends at the Sam Adams Alliance have something called The Sammies awards (with cash prizes) to encourage bloggers and citizens to get involved in political action. Here…
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