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
CF Amicus Brief Calls out Wolf for Overstepping his Authority
Commonwealth Foundation filed an amicus curiae brief in the case of Wolf v. Scarnati et. al.—arguing that the Governor must follow the legislature’s concurrent resolution to end the declaration of…
Testimony
Read More: CF Amicus Brief Calls out Wolf for Overstepping his AuthorityGovernment Accountability
Pa?s unemployment rate down in May, but still at near-record levels
More than 13% of Pennsylvania workers were officially unemployed in May, according to U.S. Department of Labor data released Friday. That’s an improvement from April’s record-setting 15.1% unemployment rate, but still the second highest rate…
Media
Read More: Pa?s unemployment rate down in May, but still at near-record levelsGovernment Accountability
A Door to Liberation: Why Juneteenth Matters
Juneteenth is a celebration that makes Independence Day a more fulfilled promise across America. The freedom extolled on July 4th, 1776, was robust, even if it took June 19th, 1865,…
Commentary
Read More: A Door to Liberation: Why Juneteenth MattersCriminal Justice Reform
Pa. Tackles Two New Law Enforcement Reforms
Pennsylvanians are voicing their concern on policing reform. Encouragingly, lawmakers are listening to constituents and pursuing meaningful, balanced policing reform.
Commentary
Read More: Pa. Tackles Two New Law Enforcement ReformsGovernment Accountability
Top 10 PLCB Boondoggles
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has survived debacle after debacle. The closures around COVID-19 are just the most recent example of the PLCB's incompetence. Here are the top 10 PLCB…
Commentary
Read More: Top 10 PLCB BoondogglesGovernment Accountability
Fed Data Shows Wolf’s Shutdown Caused Unemployment Spike
June 5, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s shutdown was done earlier, was more expansive, and had fewer exemptions than most other states, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of…
Media
Read More: Fed Data Shows Wolf’s Shutdown Caused Unemployment SpikeGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an Apology
Gov. Wolf called local officials, job creators, and workers “cowards” and “deserters” for assessing local risks and daring to think for themselves.
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an ApologyGovernment Accountability
Solutions to Preventing Tax Increases in 2021
Lawmakers can respect the Pennsylvania constitution’s balanced budget amendment and act to prevent tax increases that will drive more families and businesses out of the state, further shrinking the revenue…
Memo
Read More: Solutions to Preventing Tax Increases in 2021Government Accountability
Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 3
The state government uses special entities to borrow in excess of the constitutional debt limit and make loans and guarantees that would otherwise be illegal.
Report
Read More: Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 3Government Accountability
Pa. Shutdown Revolt Met with Threats from Governor
May 11, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — After this weekend's news that at least eight counties in Pennsylvania would no longer participate in the governor's reopening directives, Gov. Wolf has…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Shutdown Revolt Met with Threats from GovernorPublic Union Democracy
Liquor Store Clerk Scores a Win for Free Speech
Liquor store clerk John Kabler sued for the right to leave his union. In April, the union agreed to refund his dues and honor his resignation. …
Commentary
Read More: Liquor Store Clerk Scores a Win for Free SpeechGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods
Wolf should take state lawmakers’ advice and bring transparency and fairness to Pennsylvania’s reopening — along with a sense of urgency. In doing so, he can continue flattening the curve…
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoodsGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at risk
Industry leaders who are directly affected by the governor’s orders do not dispute that Wolf has authority to take action aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19. But it’s that…
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at riskGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Memo to America’s Leaders: Your credibility dies in darkness
Americans have never put up with “don’t ask questions, just trust me” for long — especially in a crisis.
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Memo to America’s Leaders: Your credibility dies in darknessGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Lawmakers offer a way out of the coronavirus chaos
Gov. Wolf's insistence on going it alone and making decisions behind closed doors is crippling his credibility.
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Lawmakers offer a way out of the coronavirus chaosGovernment Accountability
Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.
Governor Wolf continues to take positive steps toward a safe and gradual opening of the Pennsylvania economy because lawmakers continue to advance good policy that protects lives and livelihoods.
Memo
Read More: Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.Government Accountability
Wolf Makes Reopening Concessions, but Stops Short of Transparency
April 20, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Governor Wolf vetoed a bill, SB 613, that would have brought clarity to Pennsylvania’s controversial business shutdown and provided hope for the future. But…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Makes Reopening Concessions, but Stops Short of TransparencyEducation
Op-Ed: With classes canceled for weeks, schools must embrace innovation
Now is the time for the Philadelphia School District to embrace innovation, creativity, and critical thinking.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: With classes canceled for weeks, schools must embrace innovationEducation
Government Unions Threaten to Eclipse School Choice
Governor Tom Wolf and other elected officials are pulling in millions of dollars from government unions that oppose school choice and exert considerable influence at the expense of education reform. …
Commentary
Read More: Government Unions Threaten to Eclipse School ChoicePublic Union Democracy
Union Dues Fuel Political Activism, Records Show
Considering government unions draw heavily from their dues to fund political activism, public school teachers who prefer not to fund this political activism of their state and national unions should…
Commentary
Read More: Union Dues Fuel Political Activism, Records ShowGovernment Accountability
Three Steps to an Honest Budget: Fiscal Reform Priorities 2020-2021
Our legislative roadmap to a balanced budget, a spending limit and a more transparent fiscal process.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Three Steps to an Honest Budget: Fiscal Reform Priorities 2020-2021