Government Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation Launches Website Exposing Governor Shapiro’s Shady Activities
Harrisburg, Pa., October 9, 2023 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation launched a new webpage dedicated to exposing the myriad of shady actions that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has engaged in…
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Launches Website Exposing Governor Shapiro’s Shady ActivitiesThe 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
PA Teacher Unions Endorse Reduced Pension Benefits, Deferring Contributions
An amendment to the pension deferral bill in the Pennsylvania House would reduce the retirement benefits for new state and school employees, but would continue Gov. Rendell’s proposed…
Media
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Tort Reform Opponents: “Let Us Eat Cake”
This month the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) released its U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report chronicling the critical condition of tort, one facet of America’s law system. Pennsylvania shuffles…
Media
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Why Every Teacher Should Stop Paying PSEA Dues
A couple of stories about Pennsylvania’s pension crisis reveal some crazy talk (HT Grassroots PA). First, in an article covering some proposed reforms, Gov. Rendell claims gambling will…
Media
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Budget Ideas for PA from Other States
The April 2010 edition of the Inside ALEC newsletter has a number of ideas Pennsylvania lawmakers should look at to balance the state budget, and for long-term fiscal reform.
Media
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Judical Merit Selection Info
A proposed Pennsylvania state constitutional amendment on merit selection of judges is/was the subject of a press conference today, feature the most recent living Pennsylvania governors. The topic was spurred…
Media
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CF Blog Roundup
The Commonwealth Foundation has been mentioned in some recent state blogs: Tony Phyrillas posted our video of Maurice McTigue, offering Pennsylvania some economic tips, at our Policy and Principles…
Media
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Accurate Information About a Part-Time Legislature
Senator Daylin Leach opined in the Post-Gazette over the weekend, defending the legislature he serves in (previously as a House member) against the Grand Jury report calling for…
Media
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On Partisan Legislative Staffers
One recommendation of the Grand Jury report release this week was that the Pennsylvania General Assembly should move from hiring partisan staff for each caucus to having a centralized…
Media
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Grand Jury Demands Legislative Reform
The long-awaited grand jury report written in response to the Bonusgate trials has declared that the grossly inefficient Pennsylvania legislature needs an overhaul. The grand jury wrote, “The current…
Media
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Pennsylvania Budget Presentation
Below you can find my latest version of a presentation on the Pennsylvania state budget and economic policy. PA Budget and…
Media
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The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA
Everyone loves to hate "special interests." They spend millions of dollars in electing and lobbying public officials in order to gain political or legislative favor. So it was no surprise…
Commentary
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Corbett Wins, Subpoenas Twitter for Names of His Critics
As part of the Grand Jury investigation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has filed a subpoena against Twitter to reveal the names of two anonymous Twitter accounts (HT…
Media
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Conklin Would Serve as LG and State Rep
If the results hold, and they remain extremely close, Scott Conklin would be the Democrat nominee for Lieutenant Governor and for reelection to his PA House seat. Conklin recently promised…
Media
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Election Day Live Chat
Join Commonwealth Foundation staff and PA Independent reporters, as well as invited bloggers, to discuss the Pennsylvania primary election results and happenings throughout the day. Post your questions and…
Media
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Rendell’s No-Bid State Forest Lease
Last week, Gov. Rendell announced 32,896 acres of state forest land had been leased to Anadarko Petroleum for drilling for $120 million. The no-bid deal was for land previously…
Media
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How Rendell Gets Shills
In each of their “budget updates” (see: this one or this one) the Department of Public Welfare ends with this line “For information on…
Media
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Fact Checking Special Interests’ Attack on Natural Gas
Misinformation spewed continually at Common Cause’s press conference on natural gas campaign contributions (see CF News Release) held today at the Capital. Here are…
Media
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CF In the Blogs
Here’s who’s blogging about the Commonwealth Foundation in the past week: Page 13 News, Capitol Ideas, GrassrootsPA, and Capitol Punmanship all make…
Media
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First and Second Amendments Lose; LiveFreePA Postponed
Statement by Commonwealth Foundation and President Matthew J. Brouillette: “In the 11th hour, under intense pressure from those who…
Press Release
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Does Legislative Size Matter?
Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are a nonprofit, independent public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg. I…
Testimony
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21 Reasons Free-Market Think Tanks are Effective
Is it certainly self-serving of me to say this, but here is an excellent article by a former think tank CEO giving 21 reasons think tanks are more effective…
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