Pennsylvania 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.

Public Union Democracy

Your Tax Dollars at Work

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 19, 2006

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…

Media

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Government Accountability

The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. Safety

  • June 19, 2006

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

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Government Accountability

Is there a Speaker in the House?

  • June 16, 2006

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

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Government Accountability

A Mandate for Reform

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 14, 2006

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

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Education

Arrogant PHEAA: More stonewalling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 13, 2006

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

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Government Accountability

Agency: Unvouchered expenses ‘income’

  • June 12, 2006

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…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

And you probably thought the Soviet Union collapsed!

  • June 2, 2006

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.

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Unions and Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2006

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…

Media

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Government Accountability

Reform Needed in PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2006

Mike Folmer on the primary and the need for reform in Pennsylvania in today’s Wall Street Journal.

Media

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Government Accountability

Savor these election snapshots

  • May 21, 2006

OK, for the record, I don’t sleep in a coat and tie, despite what Pat Carroll thinks! 🙂 It has indeed been a great experience to work alongside folks…

Media

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Government Accountability

John Baer on Tuesday’s Impact

  • May 18, 2006

There wasn’t a “clean sweep,” but there may very well be some “housecleaning.” Read more in the Philadelphia Daily News.

Media

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Government Accountability

Even The Gray Lady Gets The Message In PA

  • May 18, 2006

From Captain’s Quarters Even The Gray Lady Gets The Message In PAThe New York Times recognized the Pennsylvania Earthquake which removed at least thirteen…

Media

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Government Accountability

The Harrisburg Hogs

  • May 17, 2006

Wall Street Journal takes note of the PA primaries. The lesson from Tuesday’s results? “It seems this is a message GOP politicians have to relearn over and over: When…

Media

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Government Accountability

Defeats leave power vacuum in Pa. Senate GOP leadership

  • May 17, 2006

AP story on the upcoming leadership changes in the Senate. Sen. Jake Corman apparently got part of the message: “Clearly the election was a mandate for government reform,” Corman…

Media

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Government Accountability

The Victory In Primaries For Conservatives

  • May 17, 2006

From the Captain’s Quarters Blog…. Over the past week, many of us have written on the frustration felt by conservatives (especially fiscal conservatives) over the past few years. Some…

Media

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Government Accountability

The king is dead

  • May 17, 2006

Philadelphia Daily News’ John Baer on the “Astonishing defeats for Jubelirer, Brightbill”…

Media

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Government Accountability

Payback: Pennsylvania voters kick out incumbents

  • May 17, 2006

Tony Phyrillas says: “The incumbents had the money. They had the name recognition. They had the party machine behind them. They had all the advantages. But they still lost.”…

Media

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