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
Pennsylvania Legislature’s growing girth
Robert Swift has a good article on the “professionalization” of the Pennsylvania legislature, including breaking down the cost of a legislator: At $78,314, the annual salary…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Legislature’s growing girthEducation
Obama Transparency Standard Challenges School Boards
Pennsylvania school boards have been presented an opportunity to measure up to the standard set by our new President. In his inaugural address, Barack Obama promised that public business would…
Commentary
Read More: Obama Transparency Standard Challenges School BoardsGovernment Accountability
Deforming the Pennsylvania House?
Democracy Rising Pennsylvania has an alert about proposed rules changes in the Pennsylvania House of Representative, that would undo much of the reforms of 2007. The changes including easing…
Media
Read More: Deforming the Pennsylvania House?Government Accountability
Government Transparency Resources
Our latest CF NOW video highlights current efforts to create more government transparency in Pennsylvania: Here are some of the key resources on Open Government: CF…
Press Release
Read More: Government Transparency ResourcesGovernment Accountability
CF Now: Opening Pennsylvania Government
View our newest video on YouTube, highlighting current efforts to create more government transparency in Pennsylvania. Here are some of the key resources on Open Government: CF Projects…
Media
Read More: CF Now: Opening Pennsylvania GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Evaluation of Pennsylvania School District Websites
Our friends at the Sam Adams Alliance have reviewed websites from all 501 school districts in Pennsylvania on their Sunshine Review wiki. They found that there is a…
Media
Read More: Evaluation of Pennsylvania School District WebsitesGovernment Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation Launches PennsylvaniaVotes.org
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today announced the launch of PennsylvaniaVotes.org, the state’s first and only web site that provides—at no cost—a nonpartisan, layman’s description of every bill…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Launches PennsylvaniaVotes.orgGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expected
In our latest Pennsylvania Deficit Watch update, we take a look at the current state revenue shortfall, noting Governor Rendell’s revised estimate of a $1.6 Billion shorftall for…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expectedGovernment Accountability
Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”
As new legislators are coming to Harrisburg to be sworn in, Brad Bumsted reports that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have spent $1 million in legal fees (despite the number…
Media
Read More: Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”Government Accountability
Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?
From the “News of the Weird” (that is the Patriot News local section) is the report that bobblehead’s of Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed are being sold for $75 apiece…
Media
Read More: Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?Government Accountability
Less than 40 hours to help us meet our goal!
UPDATE from the Commonwealth Foundation12.30.08 $1,315 needed for “40in40” Challenge!With only 40 hours left in 2008, we are $1,315 shy of…
Media
Read More: Less than 40 hours to help us meet our goal!Government Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation (and more) on Twitter
The Commonwealth Foundation is now on Twitter, you can follow our user name: @liberty4PA. You can also follow Commonwealth Foundation staff: @MattBrouillette, @NathanBenefield If you are new…
Media
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation (and more) on TwitterGovernment Accountability
Transparency and the Bailout
Transparency is a popular buzzword these days, but does the rhetoric reflect reality? John Stossel investigates the lack of transparency surrounding the bailout.
Media
Read More: Transparency and the BailoutGovernment Accountability
Taxpayer Funded Lobbying and the Growth of Government
Americans for Prosperity has a new analysis of taxpayer-funded lobbying of the federal government. I don’t want to point out the obvious, but this taxpayer-funded lobbying is almost all…
Media
Read More: Taxpayer Funded Lobbying and the Growth of GovernmentGovernment Accountability
78-Group Coalition Demands Greater Bailout Transparency
The Commonwealth Foundation has joined 77 other organizations in calling for greater transparency for taxpayers in the numerous bailouts being handed out with little oversight. From the news release:…
Media
Read More: 78-Group Coalition Demands Greater Bailout TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Open government should save taxpayers, not cost them
The Tribune Review has a scathing editorial about Governor Rendell’s decision to charge citizens for the cost of retrieving open records about the government. In contrast, consider Texas,…
Media
Read More: Open government should save taxpayers, not cost themGovernment Accountability
Transparency: Increase Government Efficiency for Free
The House Democratic Caucus has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by rejecting this year’s COLA’s. Maybe Dr. Stilp got through to them. But the bigger question is how much did Eachus…
Media
Read More: Transparency: Increase Government Efficiency for FreeGovernment Accountability
Cut Legislature First
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorializes that the first item to be cut from the budget should be the legislature’s budget, noting this is the source of funding for bonuses, no-work…
Media
Read More: Cut Legislature FirstEducation
We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still
The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.
Media
Read More: We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…stillGovernment Accountability
PA Lawmakers, Executives, Judges Get Pay Raise
Patriot News story on the 2.8% cost of living increase that Pennsylvania lawmakers will get beginning Dec. 1, and state judges and executive branch officials will get the raise…
Media
Read More: PA Lawmakers, Executives, Judges Get Pay RaiseGovernment Accountability
Open Records Are Not Optional
Editors of The Morning Call criticize Allentown mayor Ed Pawlowski for attempting to keep the cost of police contract negotiations secret despite the city’s home rule charter which specifically…
Media
Read More: Open Records Are Not Optional