Pennsylvania 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.

Government Accountability

Free-market internship, jobs, and grant opportunities

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2008

Some good opportunities to earn money working for liberty for college students, recent graduates and young professionals, and young journalists to pass along:Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow…

Media

Read More: Free-market internship, jobs, and grant opportunities

Government Accountability

Shed a little light on your government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2008

ShowMeTheSpending.com, a project of the National Taxpayers Union (with a coalition of groups) has relaunched as a wiki (like Wikipedia) as part of the Sunshine Review…

Media

Read More: Shed a little light on your government

Government Accountability

Corruption and Potential for Reform in State Contracts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2008

Chris Freind has a five part series in The Bulletin on conflicts of interest, corruption, and the inability to get reforms passed in how state contracts are awarded.  The…

Media

Read More: Corruption and Potential for Reform in State Contracts

Public Union Democracy

Which Obama Will Be President?

  • Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

Will an Obama presidency bring a lurch to the political Left in America?  This is of great concern for those of us who believe that our prosperity and security do…

Commentary

Read More: Which Obama Will Be President?

Government Accountability

Speaker Franklin Award Dinner Video

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

Coverage of our Speaker Franklin Awards Dinner will air on PCN at 4:10 today. The video is also available on our YouTube Channel and below. Gov.

Media

Read More: Speaker Franklin Award Dinner Video

Government Accountability

Statement on the Passing of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll

  • November 13, 2008

The Commonwealth Foundation is saddened by the loss of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. We will fondly remember her unsurpassed dedication to her roles in public service, her compassion and…

Press Release

Read More: Statement on the Passing of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll

Government Accountability

RIP, Catherine Baker Knoll

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

As many readers are aware, Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll passed away last night.  Here is the Patriot News Story.  John Micek has posted reactions from…

Media

Read More: RIP, Catherine Baker Knoll

Education

Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 12, 2008

Originally founded as the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association in 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) has transformed itself from a professional development organization for educators into one of the…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes

Education

Harrisburg’s Most Powerful Special Interest

  • November 12, 2008

New policy brief addresses the impact of unions on public education HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today released Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians &…

Press Release

Read More: Harrisburg’s Most Powerful Special Interest

Government Accountability

Bailout Transparency Fading Fast

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 11, 2008

The Tribune-Review reports Bloomberg News has filed a FOIA and a federal lawsuit seeking to force the disclosure of recipients who received $2 trillion in emergency loans from…

Media

Read More: Bailout Transparency Fading Fast

Government Accountability

Book Review: The Best-Laid Plans

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2008

Fans of The Road to Serfdom will recognize the dangers of government planning. Unfortunately, government planning has become even more prevalent in the US since Hayek’s warning. Randal O’Toole’s book…

Media

Read More: Book Review: The Best-Laid Plans

Public Union Democracy

Worker Freedom Ensures Economic Prosperity

  • November 10, 2008

Along with the rest of the nation, Pennsylvania is struggling to rebound from the recent economic turmoil. Unfortunately, being a compulsory union state puts the Commonwealth at a marked disadvantage.

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Book Review: Income and Wealth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 10, 2008

Alan Reynold’s Income and Wealth offers a primer on data on income, taxes, and the economy, and counters some of the most popular myths, usually circulated by left-wing groups…

Media

Read More: Book Review: Income and Wealth

Public Union Democracy

Voters still like limited government, lower taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2008

A poll from the Club For Growth surveyed voters in 12 competitive Congressional districts; eleven of the 12 switched hands from Republican to Democrat following Tuesday’s elections. The results…

Media

Read More: Voters still like limited government, lower taxes

Government Accountability

Turnout in Pennsylvania Declines

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2008

HT to Grassroots PA for this story – Turnout in Pennsylvania not only didn’t break records, it declined (both as a percentage of registered voters and in total…

Media

Read More: Turnout in Pennsylvania Declines

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania House and Senate Results

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2008

Based on elections results from the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Tribune Review: Republicans pick up one seat in the PA Senate.  Their current majority will be 29-20, with…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania House and Senate Results

Government Accountability

Voter Fraud and Intimidation in Philadelphia and elsewhere

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2008

A couple of good resources exposing (and seeking citizen journalists) on voter fraud and intimidation are Voter Fraud Squad and Election Journal.  The latter has video of two…

Media

Read More: Voter Fraud and Intimidation in Philadelphia and elsewhere

Public Union Democracy

PSEA uses union dues to support Obama

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2008

Even though 60% of teachers’ union members consider themselves conservative, the PSEA – the union for most Pennsylvania school districts – is using union dues to support the Obama-Biden…

Media

Read More: PSEA uses union dues to support Obama

Government Accountability

Statewide Voter Guides

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 29, 2008

With less than a week before election day presidential candidate surveys and voter guides are everywhere, yet it can be difficult to find information on state candidates.

Media

Read More: Statewide Voter Guides

Government Accountability

Presidential (Economic) Issues Guide

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 28, 2008

While not getting the publicity of the Water and Sewer bond ballot measure, there is also a presidential election going on.  As I have gotten a request for “voters…

Media

Read More: Presidential (Economic) Issues Guide