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
Term Limits Needed in Pennsylvania
John Baer writes that the recent Vince Fumo conviction – the latest in a long history of corruption by long-time Pennsylvania lawmakers – is another reason why Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Term Limits Needed in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Transparency on PA’s Stimulus Money
Governor Rendell announced his ideas for “oversight” of the funding Pennsylvania will receive from the federal stimulus (related story here), and unveiled a new website – recovery.pa.gov…
Media
Read More: Transparency on PA’s Stimulus MoneyCriminal Justice Reform
Reforming State Corrections
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a story on a Pew study on the cost of incarceration/corrections in states. There is little question that the cost of our prisons…
Media
Read More: Reforming State CorrectionsGovernment Accountability
Transparency for PA Stimulus Money?
State Senator Mike Brubaker has a proposal to create greater oversight over how Pennsylvania spends its transparency money (HT: John Micek at Capitol Ideas). The proposal has two…
Media
Read More: Transparency for PA Stimulus Money?Government Accountability
PA House, Senate Refuse Request for Lobbyist Records
Here is an AP Story on the ruling by Pennsylvania House and Senate have ruled that lobbyist contact is not covered under the new Open Records law (HT…
Media
Read More: PA House, Senate Refuse Request for Lobbyist RecordsGovernment Accountability
Pay to Play Culture in Harrisburg
ABC 27 has a story/video highlighting the “pay-to-play” cronyism in Harrisburg, specifically the $11 million in outside legal fees (despite hundreds of lawyers on staff) going to Ballard Spahr…
Media
Read More: Pay to Play Culture in HarrisburgEducation
School District Consolidation is a Red Herring
In the movie Men in Black, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) carries a small device that flashes, allowing him to make people forget meeting him (or seeing aliens). Gov. Rendell…
Commentary
Read More: School District Consolidation is a Red HerringGovernment Accountability
Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009
Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009 identifies $5 billion in unhealthy state spending in FY 2008-09 and offers a series of recommendations to both resolve the current revenue shortfall…
Report
Read More: Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009Government Accountability
An end to cronyism in state government?
The Pennsylvania House GOP has unveiled several proposals to end “pay to play” – including cracking down on the ability of the administration to award of no-bid contracts. In…
Media
Read More: An end to cronyism in state government?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
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 Bailout