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
Judicial Pay After Court Ruling
Here is what PA judges will make following the court ruling reinstating the judicial pay raise: http://mail.comfdnprod.wpengine.com/judgespay.pdf…
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Forced speech atrocity
Dimitri Vassilaros column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about the Washington state lawsuit on whether unions can use mandatory dues for political activity, without consent of the dues paying member.
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Judicial pay raise outrage
WHP CBS21 coverage of the pay raise ruling, featuring video of our very own Matthew Brouillette talking with angry callers.
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Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Pay Raise
The PA Supreme Court Opinion on the pay raise, issued today (view the last two pages for the Conclusion) makes the following decisions: 1) The repeal (Act 72 of…
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Read More: Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Pay RaiseGovernment Accountability
Pay Raise is Back
The Patriot News reports that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reinstated last July’s pay raise, for judges–a ruling which raises the pay of the Supreme Court Justices. The ruling also…
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The real meaning of ‘reform’
Brad Bumsted column in Sunday’s Pittsburgh Tribune Review on the need for legislative reform. He cites the recent Commonwealth Foundation study on reforms needed.
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Read More: The real meaning of ‘reform’Public Union Democracy
Ending Teacher strikes
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review weighs in on how best to end teacher strikes in PA.
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Legislative leaders need a diet
A must-watch story from KDKA exposing how many legislators leaders take $141 per-diem for “lodging and meals” every day they are in Harrisburg, then charge taxpayers for catering or…
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Read More: Legislative leaders need a dietGovernment Accountability
Potential Effects of Reducing the Size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
One of the most discussed legislative reforms in Harrisburg is a reduction in the size of the General Assembly. One version of this proposal, SB 890, sponsored by Sen. John…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Potential Effects of Reducing the Size of the Pennsylvania General AssemblyPublic Union Democracy
No Means No!
Human Events Online article on the Washington State case in which teachers’ mandatory union dues are being used for political activity – and a law requiring such contributions to…
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The Fumo Legal Defense Fund
State Sen. Vince Fumo, under federal investigation for corruption, used $900,000 of taxpayer’s dollars for his legal defense (in addition to $300,000 of campaign contributions) the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
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Principles Worth Fighting For
Though I have watched Braveheart several dozen times, last weekend was the first time that the blood, violence, and men in kilts reminded me of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Unfortunately,…
Commentary
Read More: Principles Worth Fighting ForPublic Union Democracy
PA leads the nation in teacher strikes again
Patriot News coverage of teacher strikes data. In 2005, 65% of all teacher strikes occured in Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania school children felt the effects of 13 strikes, compared with…
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Read More: PA leads the nation in teacher strikes againGovernment Accountability
The Lieberman Lesson
New York Times analysis of the new partisan dynamics: “Traditional Democratic interest groups have steadily lost ground to a more partisan, progressive movement skilled at using the Internet to…
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Read More: The Lieberman LessonGovernment Accountability
Lobbyist disclosure first
Paul Carpenter editorial in The Morning Call on why we need a strong lobbyist and regulation and disclosure law before we consider shrinking the size of the General Assembly.
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General Assembly Too Big & Expensive
Editorial in the Press Enterprise Online on reducing the legislature. While they use figures from my testimony, they fail to note that the crux of our position is…
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Swann on Reform
Gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann’s response to a survey on government reform, compiled by Democracy Rising PA, with comments from the Commonwealth Foundation.
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Rendell on Reform
Governor Rendell’s response to a survey on government reform, compiled Democracy Rising PA, with comments from the Commonwealth Foundation.
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Does Size Matter?
If you prefer audio podcast to the text version, you can listen to my testimony on reducing the size of the General Assembly. (Note: the file is 2MB…
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Shrinking the Legislature
Thank you, Chairman Scarnati, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify before you today on the issue of whether or not Pennsylvania should reduce…
Commentary
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Database to Monitor Spending?
US Senators Tom Coburn and Jeff Flake have proposed a database tracking all recipients of federal grants (see Cato Institute analysis). Like many of you, I would enjoy easy…
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