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
Education
Which special interest is closest to state capitols?
Education school Jay Greene launched a new blog on education policy with post on the proximity of teacher unions to state capitols. If you stand on…
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Read More: Which special interest is closest to state capitols?Government Accountability
58 lawmakers who kept the pay raise
Rock the Capital has released their latest (final) update on the 2005 legislative pay raise – who took the unvouchered expenses, who kept them, who paid them back, who…
Media
Read More: 58 lawmakers who kept the pay raiseGovernment Accountability
“Easy” Real Change, by Newt Gingrich
As promised, here is my review of Newt Gingrich’s latest book, Real Change. This was a frustrating read for me. For starters, Newt’s premise is how we…
Media
Read More: “Easy” Real Change, by Newt GingrichEducation
New Education Blog
The Fordham Foundation has launched a new blog on education called Flypaper. A couple good posts in their first two days are this one on highlighting “surprising” story…
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Read More: New Education BlogGovernment Accountability
Book Review: Leave us Alone
I am blogging from Seattle, where I am attending a conference on government transparency. One of the best aspects of flying across the county is catching up on some reading.
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Read More: Book Review: Leave us AloneGovernment Accountability
“Per Diems” Add Up
RocktheCapital has analyzed and released expense reports for one lawmaker, David Argall of Schuykill County, finding that he collected $15,000 in “per diems” (compensation above and beyond salary, ostensibly…
Media
Read More: “Per Diems” Add UpGovernment Accountability
Brouillette to moderate forum on P3s in transportation
Matthew J. Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation will moderate a forum on public-private partnerships and the potential role they can play in helping Pennsylvania meet its transportation…
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Join us on Facebook
The Commonwealth Foundation has a New Page on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user (or want to sign up to see what all the kids are…
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Read More: Join us on FacebookGovernment Accountability
Why the capital budget process needs to be reformed
Here is a response I posted on GrassrootsPA to the defenders of the $13 billion in capital budget projects who state essentially “It isn’t that bad, because not all…
Media
Read More: Why the capital budget process needs to be reformedGovernment Accountability
Philadelphia Parking Authority to face scrutiny
One the most wasteful, patronage-ridden, and shady government entities – the Philadelphia Parking Authority – will face investigation into its practices, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Like many other agencies…
Media
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Salaries for 120,000 PA teachers
Stop Teacher Strikes has the data here.
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Merit Selection Not so Meritorious?
Intriguing article in the Wall Street Journal on merit selection of judges, and John Grisham’s latest novel, (HT to PA Clean Sweep), that is timely given…
Media
Read More: Merit Selection Not so Meritorious?Education
Wisconsin’s Virtual Schools Could Close this Summer
Intriguing piece in School Reform News on how the Wisconsin teachers’ union is also working to undermine cyber schools – rather than targeting funding, they are going after cyber…
Media
Read More: Wisconsin’s Virtual Schools Could Close this SummerGovernment Accountability
Merit Selection of Judges Blog
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts has a new blog focusing on merit selection of judges at judgesonmerit.org. Personally I’m not yet persuaded by the merit selection arguments (see previous posts…
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Read More: Merit Selection of Judges BlogGovernment Accountability
Capitol staffers get their own pay raise
Jan Murphy in the Patriot has a look at big pay increases, and big salaries for some legislative staffers following the end of bonuses. While Eric Epstein points…
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Read More: Capitol staffers get their own pay raiseGovernment Accountability
A Conservative Approach To Universal Health Care
Forbes article on the NFIB’s proposed health care agenda which includes allowing individuals to purchase health insurance coverage over state lines, tax deductions for individually purchased insurance, tort…
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Opportunities with the Commonwealth Foundation
The Commonwealth Foundation is looking for a Research Associate, a Communications Associate, and a Development/Marketing Associate through the 2008-09 Koch Associate Program! If you’re interested, in working the the Commonwealth…
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Read More: Opportunities with the Commonwealth FoundationGovernment Accountability
Twenty-two disgraced governors
Stateline.org has the complete list of governors to leave office (resigned or impeached) because of scandal or legal problems.
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Read More: Twenty-two disgraced governorsGovernment Accountability
State paid law firms $111 million for advice
Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette reports that Pennsylvania taxpayers have paid law firms $111 million for legal advice to state government under the Rendell administration (note: I believe this…
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Read More: State paid law firms $111 million for adviceGovernment Accountability
Fumo to retire
Senator Vince Fumo, the subject of many PolicyBlog stories will reportedly be retiring; read the Pennsyltucky Politics blurb.
Media
Read More: Fumo to retireEducation
Teachers Unions Exposed
TeachersUnionExposed.com is a new website (from the Center for Union Facts) focusing on teachers’s unions role in blocking education reform, bargaining away quality, and protecting bad teachers. They…
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