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
Is graft getting worse or are prosecutors out of control?
Governing Magazine’s July 2008 cover story, “The Corruption Puzzle”, is apropos for Pennsylvania given the recent indictments of 12 people for allegedly using taxpayer money for personal and political…
Media
Read More: Is graft getting worse or are prosecutors out of control?Education
Obama on School Choice: For or Against?
The Cato Institute blog reports that Barack Obama told members of the American Federation of Teachers he is opposed to school vouchers, when referring to the “tired rhetoric about…
Media
Read More: Obama on School Choice: For or Against?Government Accountability
Pennsylvania’s super-sized legislature
There’s nothing like a government scandal to get people in the mood . . . for reform. An article by Anne Reeves in the Patriot-News reminds us why the…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s super-sized legislatureGovernment Accountability
Why Turnpike Commission lobbying matters
A reader’s comments on our latest PikeTV video and reports on Turnpike lobbying argues that private bidders are also lobbying, and that tolling I-80 is “more fair” (i.e.
Media
Read More: Why Turnpike Commission lobbying mattersGovernment Accountability
Responses to Bonusgate
Following the bonusgate presentments (indictments), several lawmakers and newspapers are beginning to call for action to clean up state government. Sen Piccola will call for a special session on…
Media
Read More: Responses to BonusgatePublic Union Democracy
Port Authority Labor Negotiations Online
The Pittsburgh Port Authority has a website detailing the sticking points of the labor negotiation with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85. I think the lesson to be…
Media
Read More: Port Authority Labor Negotiations OnlinePublic Union Democracy
Alliance for Worker Freedom: AFL-CIO evading taxes
I’ve seen a few stories about the AFL-CIO using union dues to run ads against John McCain, and wondered a) why are compulsory union dues for explicit political activity…
Media
Read More: Alliance for Worker Freedom: AFL-CIO evading taxesEducation
PSEA Hissy Fit
Too many public schools have a Liberace complex and feel no compunction against splurging taxpayers’ hard-earned money. So kudos to the Pleasant Valley School District for trying to lowering…
Media
Read More: PSEA Hissy FitPublic Union Democracy
Modern Day Patriots: Taking on Government Officials
Bucks County Commissioners get an earful from taxpayers about the tentative AFSCME collective bargaining agreement that forces non-union employees to pay fees to the union as a condition of…
Media
Read More: Modern Day Patriots: Taking on Government OfficialsGovernment Accountability
What can we cut?
An anonymous poster to GrassrootsPA defends the recently enacted state budget against criticism from the Commonwealth Foundation, along with that in other comments. The budget…
Media
Read More: What can we cut?Government Accountability
More Spending, More Debt, Less Transparency
Commonwealth Foundation expresses disappointment in overall budget deal HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation provided its perspective on the FY 2008-09 budget agreement making its way to the governor’s…
Press Release
Read More: More Spending, More Debt, Less TransparencyGovernment Accountability
The state budget: Secret sham
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorializes on the secret nature of the budget negotiations and the wheeling and dealing that occurs behind closed doors.
Media
Read More: The state budget: Secret shamGovernment Accountability
The end of “campaign finance reform”?
The Supreme Court was busy yesterday, in its second major ruling, they struck down a portion of McCain Feingold campaign finance restrictions, ruling that the “millionaire exemption” is unconstitutional.
Media
Read More: The end of “campaign finance reform”?Government Accountability
Turnpike Commission Lobbying Expenses
Here are the Turnpike Commission’s 2007-08 lobbyist expense reports with the PA Dept. of StateThat comes to $519,000 over 15 months (just at the state level). Jan…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission Lobbying ExpensesGovernment Accountability
Perzel, Fumo at Secret Budget Negotiations
John Micek reports on the details of the secret budget negotiations: The players last night:House Dems: Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, Whip Keith McCall and Appropriations Chair Dwight…
Media
Read More: Perzel, Fumo at Secret Budget NegotiationsGovernment Accountability
Smoking Ban shows need for part-time legislature
Nathan Shrader makes the case that the smoking ban – along with other nonsensical legislation – shows why Pennsylvania should move to a part-time, citizen legislature.
Media
Read More: Smoking Ban shows need for part-time legislatureGovernment Accountability
Josephs offers lip service on reform
Tony Phyrillas is the latest to criticize the House State Government Committee chair for single-handedly stalling redistricting reform Joining Phyrillas on that bandwagon – Governor Ed…
Media
Read More: Josephs offers lip service on reformGovernment Accountability
Limiting political speech won’t create good government
In the latest Democracy Rising Newsletter, Tim Potts takes on two issues: redistricting and campaign finance. On redistricting I agree with him–we should not let those running for…
Media
Read More: Limiting political speech won’t create good governmentGovernment Accountability
Are Pennsylvania and Iraq going in opposite directions?
Jonathan Jenkins, a Pennsylvania resident serving in Iraq, ask “Are Pennsylvania and Iraq going in opposite directions?” He offers the perspective the Iraq is improving, while Pennsylvania is declining,…
Media
Read More: Are Pennsylvania and Iraq going in opposite directions?Public Union Democracy
Right to Work states have higher growth
The Union Label blog looks at economic growth differences between right to work and forced unionism state.
Media
Read More: Right to Work states have higher growthGovernment Accountability
Legislators controlling redistricting are like alcoholics tending bar
John Baer’s latest column blasts legislators who are killing reform – in particular redistricting – for their own self-interest: And who can forget Speaker Emeritus John Perzel winning…
Media
Read More: Legislators controlling redistricting are like alcoholics tending bar