Education
Here’s some friendly advice to the new Pennsylvania general assembly
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania lawmakers swore their oath of office in Harrisburg, and a new legislative session is upon us. As two former…
Read More: Here’s some friendly advice to the new Pennsylvania general assemblyThe 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 Ranks Low on Ethics Disclosure, Ask Bob Mellow
The Pennsylvania legislature got a “F” from the Center for Public Integrity in a national report on lawmakers disclosing information about assets, holdings or connections to special interests. In…
Media
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Will Fumo Conviction Deter Public Corruption?
Alex Charyna mocks Governor Rendell’s ridiculous statement that Sen. Vince Fumo (sentenced to 55 months in prison, or about 12 days for each felony conviction), should only spend…
Media
Read More: Will Fumo Conviction Deter Public Corruption?Education
“Tax You More Bus Tour” Hits Speed Bump
The “Tax You More Bus Tour” is still puttering along in the taxpayer-funded luxury bus – or at least it was scheduled to. The Department of Education twice attempted…
Media
Read More: “Tax You More Bus Tour” Hits Speed BumpGovernment Accountability
10 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Tax Hikes
Contrary to the Governor’s rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and spending cuts that can balance the budget without firing our police, evicting our elderly, or dumbing down our…
Media
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PA General Assembly Costs $50,000 Per Day for One Hour Sessions
ABC 27 News has a story on the high cost of the General Assembly – $50,000 per day – to have sessions during the budget impasse. This is very…
Media
Read More: PA General Assembly Costs $50,000 Per Day for One Hour SessionsEducation
The “Mis-education” of Ed Rendell
Gov. Rendell wants to increase taxes to continue the double-the-rate-of-inflation spending that has defined his tenure. In order to sell his state budget plan to an increasingly skeptical public, he…
Commentary
Read More: The “Mis-education” of Ed RendellGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Still Using Tax Dollars to Buy Votes
Mark Levy of the AP has a hard hitting story of Pennsylvania lawmakers use of WAMs – i.e. “Walking Around Money” made available to us at the discretion of legislative…
Media
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State Spending Transparency Hearing
FYI by PLS has a brief summary of a hearing yesterday on proposals to create a state spending transparency for Pennsylvania, with particular attention paid to HB 1460…
Media
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State Spending Transparency
Testimony of Elizabeth Bryan to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, June 18, 2009 Good morning, I am Elizabeth Bryan, a research associate with the Commonwealth Foundation, a free-market public…
Testimony
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Will Rendell’s Closed-Door Cabinet Meeting Violate Sunshine Law?
Today, Governor Rendell announced an “emergency cabinet meeting” to discuss the state budget, and state the meeting will be closed to the public. But wouldn’t such a closed-door…
Media
Read More: Will Rendell’s Closed-Door Cabinet Meeting Violate Sunshine Law?Education
Salaries for Pennsylvania Teachers and School Employees Online
Stop Teacher Strikes has posted the 2007-08 salary information (collected by Asbury Park Press) for 195,000 Pennsylvania teachers and school employees, searchable by name, district, or position…
Media
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In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?
Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette continues to follow Gov. Ed Rendell’s taxpayer-funded bus campaign into the northeastern part of the state today. Today’s “Tax You…
Press Release
Read More: In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?Government Accountability
Two Cheers for Transparency
Good read on transparency effort in state government by Larry Reed in the latest issue of the Freeman.
Media
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Brouillette to Counter Rendell’s “Tax You More” Bus Tour
Harrisburg, PA — Gov. Rendell’s week-long, state-wide bus tour to scare and mislead Pennsylvanians into thinking they pay too little in taxes and don’t spend enough on public education will…
Press Release
Read More: Brouillette to Counter Rendell’s “Tax You More” Bus TourGovernment Accountability
More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying for Higher Taxes
The Rendell administration is going on another taxpayer funded bus trip across the state for higher spending (and the higher taxes need to pay for them). The target this…
Media
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Pennsylvanians Deserve Open Budget Debate
With the approach of June 30th and the end of the state’s fiscal year comes the annual argument in Harrisburg over Pennsylvania’s budget. With Senate Republicans having passed a spending…
Commentary
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PA Senate Passes Spending Transparency
Legislation which we have discussed many times on this blog (see previous posts here and here, and Elizabeth Bryan’s commentary here) to create an online database…
Media
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Last Chance to Enter Please, No More Taxes! Video Contest
The deadline for entering our Please, No More Taxes! video contest is midnight tonight (June 1). There are $4,000 in prizes available for the top 3 entries. Contest rules…
Media
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Transparency Needed in Pennsylvania Budget Debate
ABC 27 has a news story and video on proposed legislation that would create an online portal and database of state spending in Pennsylvania. What is most disappointing…
Media
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Texting While Driving: Everyone Does It, So Make it Illegal
A new study finds that 25% of individuals admit they send text messages while driving. Astonishingly, however, 83% want to make it illegal to do so. I am…
Media
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Conservative Intellectualism vs. Populism
The discussion between Jerry Taylor, Dan Mitchell, and Brink Lindsey on the Cato Institute blog (and NRO’s Corner) on Rush Limbaugh, tea parties, and conservative thought have been…
Media
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