Public Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election CyclePennsylvania 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
Public Union Democracy
“Don’t be talkin’ bad about me” protest
Teachers’ union rally to protest “20/20” piece (John Stossel’s “Stupid in America,” which details how unions have stood in way of school reform) will occur on March 8.
Media
Read More: “Don’t be talkin’ bad about me” protestGovernment Accountability
Thinking about running for public office?
The Associated Press provides a good Q&A on what it takes to run for the Pennsylvania Legislatures. Interested? Click here to learn more.
Media
Read More: Thinking about running for public office?Government Accountability
City Slickers #1 and #2
This is funny. The Lt. Governor’s office issued this news release announcing that she and Gov. Rendell purchased the first and second fishing license. Talk about two fishies out of…
Media
Read More: City Slickers #1 and #2Government Accountability
How a Bill Becomes a Law … PA style
In an effort to settle a dispute between some shareholders of Philly-based Sovereign Bank, as reported by the Patriot News, some “ghost voting” ocurred in the Senate. The bill,…
Media
Read More: How a Bill Becomes a Law … PA styleGovernment Accountability
#254 on the Liberty Index lives up (down?) to his ranking
Philly Democratic Senator Vince Fumo (who scored the worst on our Liberty Index) has proposed a graduated income tax to further punish the producers in Pennsylvania. Nevermind that the “rich”…
Media
Read More: #254 on the Liberty Index lives up (down?) to his rankingGovernment Accountability
Rep. Metcalfe on the Liberty Index
From a news release from Rep. Daryl Metcalfe… Rep. Daryl Metcalfe: Metcalfe tops Liberty Index for second year in a row. HARRISBURG — Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) is again the…
Media
Read More: Rep. Metcalfe on the Liberty IndexGovernment Accountability
Liberty Index in Lancaster
Democratic Rep. Mike Sturla’s response to his F- grade in the Intelligencer Journal is classic: “[T]hese are people who never bothered to drive, or get prescription drugs for their…
Media
Read More: Liberty Index in LancasterEducation
The PHEAA raises: Another pay-jacking
More on the lobbyist/legislative operative who is now the highest paid state employee … in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Media
Read More: The PHEAA raises: Another pay-jackingPublic Union Democracy
Why Maryland is fighting windmills.
A George Will piece (Getting mugged in Maryland), explaining why the Maryland legislature has decided to attack the paper tiger of Wal-Mart. Will cites Wal-Mart’s ample benefits and pay,…
Media
Read More: Why Maryland is fighting windmills.Public Union Democracy
Union ousted
Montgomery County Court-related employees throw out AFSCME, reports The Times Herald.
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PA is national leader on teacher strikes
Pennsbury School District parent, Simon Campbell, nails the teacher strike issue in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Read More: PA is national leader on teacher strikesPublic Union Democracy
The best of the best, of course
The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and the Public School Retirement System are the envy of the government worker world. They are the most generous systems in the entire country.
Media
Read More: The best of the best, of courseGovernment Accountability
Will 2006 be the year of reform?
Democratic Representative Greg Vitali hopes so. Read his commentary in today’s Philly Inquirer.
Media
Read More: Will 2006 be the year of reform?Government Accountability
Go to Harrisburg to do good, and end up doing well…very well
WNEP-TV’s Scott Schaffer’s Lawmaker Retirements Won’t Come Cheap.
Media
Read More: Go to Harrisburg to do good, and end up doing well…very wellEducation
Unions Win: Florida Supreme Court Rules Against School Choice
News release from the Institute for Justice…. Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down School Choice Washington, D.C.-In a major blow to education reform in Florida, the Florida Supreme Court today struck…
Media
Read More: Unions Win: Florida Supreme Court Rules Against School ChoiceEducation
Rocky Mountain High
Denver enacts the nation’s first merit pay system for teachers in a large district. See this National Center for Policy Analysis summary of Denver’s new system and other pay…
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Read More: Rocky Mountain HighGovernment Accountability
Churches funding Pittsburgh
Several charities, including churches and religious groups, voluntary donated $4.6 million to the city of Pittsburgh, according to the Tribune-Review. Apparently the “separation of church and state” applies only…
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Read More: Churches funding PittsburghPublic Union Democracy
What’s “Education” got to do with it?
The Wall Street Journal highlights the political agenda (via its $65 MILLION in spending to support political causes) of the National Education Association. This would not be a problem…
Media
Read More: What’s “Education” got to do with it?Public Union Democracy
Teachers challenging union dues in California
California teachers have initiated a lawsuit against the two major teacher’s unions in that state over their rights: NRTW – December Foundation Action The Califonia Teacher Association and California…
Media
Read More: Teachers challenging union dues in CaliforniaGovernment Accountability
What We Are Up Against
Paul Jacob’s Common Sense… New York State Senator John Marchi of Staten Island is an old hand at politics. And he doesn’t think much of any idea to oust…
Media
Read More: What We Are Up AgainstPublic Union Democracy
Property Taxpayer Protections: Tax Referendum & Prevailing Wage
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is in the midst of discussing what to do about school property taxes. The discussion is an old one in Harrisburg. The complexity of this issue…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Property Taxpayer Protections: Tax Referendum & Prevailing Wage