The state government is ultimately held accountable to the people through the electoral process—but that should not be the only line of defense against government overreach or waste. Taxpayers deserve a transparent government that works for them. Reforms are needed to reduce corruption and limit the scope of government to its constitutional authority. Additionally, reforms that ensure a transparent budgeting process, a fair electoral process, and a streamlined regulatory process should be pursued to increase the government’s integrity.

Government Accountability

What Can You Do?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 27, 2013

The next hours and days could dramatically shape Pennsylvania’s future, but will it be for the better? As time winds down before the final budget passes, several critical issues hang…

Media

Read More: What Can You Do?

Government Accountability

Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” Thingamajig

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2013

A few readers responded to my op-ed on corporate tax reform, asking “If you want fairness, why don’t you support ‘ending the Delaware Loophole’?” Unfortunately, many believe that the…

Media

Read More: Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” Thingamajig

Government Accountability

A Life Well Lived: Gov. George M. Leader

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 9, 2013

This morning, Pennsylvania lost its oldest living governor:  George M. Leader, a York County Democrat who served from 1955 to 1959.  My colleagues and I had the great pleasure of…

Media

Read More: A Life Well Lived: Gov. George M. Leader

Education

Penn State Loophole Closed, Taxpayers Get Accountability

  • April 26, 2013

More accountability is in the works for Pennsylvania universities. Earlier this week, the House State Government Committee considered legislation requiring Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities to comply with the Right-to-Know Law.

Media

Read More: Penn State Loophole Closed, Taxpayers Get Accountability

Government Accountability

CF Welcomes New Board Member

  • November 27, 2012

A leader in delivering compassionate elderly care and longtime Pennsylvania community advocate has been elected to the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors, CF announced today. Jane Leader Janeczek, owner and…

Media

Read More: CF Welcomes New Board Member

Government Accountability

Commonwealth Foundation Elects New Board Member

  • November 27, 2012

Contact: Jay Ostrich 717.671.1901; cell: 717.649.6547 | jdo@commonwealthfoundation.org A leader in delivering compassionate elderly care and longtime Pennsylvania community advocate has been elected to the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors,…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Elects New Board Member

Government Accountability

Election Night Live Chat

  • November 6, 2012

Election Day is here.  If you haven’t yet taken the time to go out and cast an informed vote, please be sure to do so before polls close at 8…

Media

Read More: Election Night Live Chat

Education

Union Party Kills Charter Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2012

Yesterday, I noted that despite watering down a proposed charter school reform bill, legislators were still hearing from government union bosses and other…

Media

Read More: Union Party Kills Charter Reform

Government Accountability

Oh, Great, More “Convenience”

  • October 2, 2012

From the fine makers of the wine kiosk catastrophe, government-branded grapes of wrath, uncorked comedic cronyism  and wasteful wine surplus trailer parks comes “Convenience…

Media

Read More: Oh, Great, More “Convenience”

Government Accountability

Labor Day is for Taxpayers, Not Unions

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • August 29, 2012

Comprising the government employee unions, private sector unions, trial lawyers, extreme greens, and other nonprofits that feed off taxpayer money, the Union Party is aligned for a single purpose:  To…

Commentary

Read More: Labor Day is for Taxpayers, Not Unions

Government Accountability

Czars of Zinfandel Pour More Down Drain

  • August 10, 2012

Need some Zeppelin with your zinfandel, Coldplay with your chardonnay or Seger with your Seagrams?  Well, wait no more music and driving fans, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has a…

Media

Read More: Czars of Zinfandel Pour More Down Drain

Government Accountability

Reverse Robin Hoods Charged at DPW

  • August 8, 2012

Earlier this year when CF took on welfare fraud and abuse within the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, angry e-mails, phone calls and adverse editorial rhetoric came pouring in, calling…

Media

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Government Accountability

Flava Flav-style Facts Foil Dimock Disaster Drama

  • July 26, 2012

As Public Enemy taught my generation:  Don’t believe the hype!  That’s never been truer than in digesting the jaw-dropping Dimock disaster drama dumped on the Pennsylvania public…

Media

Read More: Flava Flav-style Facts Foil Dimock Disaster Drama

Government Accountability

‘Shocked and Appalled’ by PLCB

  • July 24, 2012

You’ve heard of shock and awe?  Well here is ‘shock and appalled,’ brought to you by the duplicitous, doublespeaking Deacons of Distilleries who are at it again, this time dumping…

Media

Read More: ‘Shocked and Appalled’ by PLCB

Government Accountability

Union Privileges Fuel More Money in Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 16, 2012

Turns out not everything is bigger in Texas. The Lone Star State has twice the population of Pennsylvania, yet when it comes to political spending, Pennsylvania’s labor unions can outgun…

Media

Read More: Union Privileges Fuel More Money in Politics

Government Accountability

Why Walker’s Win Pushes Principled Pa. Policies

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 6, 2012

Make no mistake, Wisconsin is sending a message to the Keystone State. If you are a Pennsylvania politician, that message is loud, clear and ignored only at your own peril.

Media

Read More: Why Walker’s Win Pushes Principled Pa. Policies

Government Accountability

Pa. Teachers Forced to Pay for Wisconsin Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2012

Want to find out how the Pennsylvania State Education Association is spending teachers’ dues?  You chould check out the state of Wisconsin’s campaign finance disclosure site. That’s right, the…

Media

Read More: Pa. Teachers Forced to Pay for Wisconsin Politics

Government Accountability

Liquor’s Lap of Luxury a Laughingstock

  • May 7, 2012

With grand style on your dime, the ponderous Princes of Pinot are noses and palms up choosing what wine and liquor you will and will not consume in the Keystone…

Media

Read More: Liquor’s Lap of Luxury a Laughingstock

Government Accountability

I Did It for Them – Did You?

  • April 24, 2012

There’s no hiding it, I don’t even try.  I’m proud to be an American veteran and to be a part of something so much larger than myself through serving in…

Media

Read More: I Did It for Them – Did You?

Government Accountability

Why I’m Voting Tuesday

  • April 23, 2012

I have a confession to make: A couple of years ago, I didn’t vote in the primary.  I had started a new job, was taking night classes, and had just…

Media

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