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
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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Read More: Does Size Matter?Government Accountability
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
Read More: Shrinking the LegislatureGovernment Accountability
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…
Media
Read More: Database to Monitor Spending?Government Accountability
Is it 1994 all over again?
Former Congressman George Nethercutt in today’s Wall Street Journal on the fall election. He essentially argues that the party that does better is the party that offers the most…
Media
Read More: Is it 1994 all over again?Public Union Democracy
Ending Teacher Strikes?
Rep. Will Gabig has introduced legislation to curb teacher strikes (working with Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes Inc.) Check out the Courier Times Coverage. Read Simon’s recent…
Media
Read More: Ending Teacher Strikes?Government Accountability
Mere Coincidence
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the six-figure government job awarded to Joseph Hoeffel – who earlier this year dropped out of the Lt. Gov. race after a meeting with Governor…
Media
Read More: Mere CoincidenceGovernment Accountability
In House, reform’s a no-starter
Brad Bumsted in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the House’s reluctance (once again) to reform itself.
Media
Read More: In House, reform’s a no-starterGovernment Accountability
Government Reform
Patriot-News on Lynn Swann’s proposals for change…well, sort of change.
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Read More: Government ReformGovernment Accountability
Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them
The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office…
Commentary
Read More: Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix ThemGovernment Accountability
Voters have spoken; legislators must now act
The Tribune Democrat ran my commentary on the “Mandate for Reform.”…
Media
Read More: Voters have spoken; legislators must now actGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers spending over $1 million on lawyers to defend pay raise
As first broken by the Philadelphia Inquirer: “”Do I like hiring lawyers to defend these kinds of suits? No, I hate to do this,” said House Majority Leader Sam…
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Read More: Taxpayers spending over $1 million on lawyers to defend pay raisePublic Union Democracy
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Fine tribute to public sector unions, paid for with your tax dollars. I guess we were wrong to identify the Historical and Museum Commission as an example of pork…
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Read More: Your Tax Dollars at WorkGovernment Accountability
The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. Safety
On a stone pillar near the top of the steps ascending toward the Pennsylvania State Capitol is inscribed the following quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential…
Commentary
Read More: The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. SafetyGovernment Accountability
Is there a Speaker in the House?
According to Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire.com, House Speaker John Perzel said this last night on public television’s “Smart Talk”: “When I see that a tattoo artist in the city of…
Media
Read More: Is there a Speaker in the House?Government Accountability
A Mandate for Reform
Much has been written about the “message” of the May 16 primary election in the weeks since Pennsylvania’s voters thunderously registered their displeasure with “business as usual” in Harrisburg. By…
Commentary
Read More: A Mandate for ReformEducation
Arrogant PHEAA: More stonewalling
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial review on how the public agency PHEAA refuses to disclose how they spend their money. Hence we propose privatizing PHEAA in our Pennsylvania Piglet…
Media
Read More: Arrogant PHEAA: More stonewallingGovernment Accountability
Agency: Unvouchered expenses ‘income’
The REPUBLICAN & Herald notes that two lawmakers paid taxes on their “unvouchered expenses.” But I thought UEs are not “income” so as not to be a direct violation…
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Read More: Agency: Unvouchered expenses ‘income’Public Union Democracy
Union officials must come to grips with reality of today’s economics
George McGovern, former U.S. Senator from SD and 1972 Democratic presidential candidate, shows that he’s s slow learner, but a learner nonetheless. This commentary in today’s Patriot-News says what…
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Read More: Union officials must come to grips with reality of today’s economicsPublic Union Democracy
TV ad targeting unions raises profile of campaign against labor leaders
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story on the Center for Union Facts’ commercial. Check out the commercial here.
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Read More: TV ad targeting unions raises profile of campaign against labor leadersPublic Union Democracy
And you probably thought the Soviet Union collapsed!
The union water-boys at the Keystone Research Center had Paul Krugman in Harrisburg last night, as reported in the Patriot-News. Gotta love Krugman’s solutions for our economic woes.
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Read More: And you probably thought the Soviet Union collapsed!Public Union Democracy
Unions and Politics
A couple of very good reads on teacher unions and education in the Summer 2006 Education Next. In Strike Phobia, Frederick Hess and Marty West look at the…
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Read More: Unions and Politics