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

Voter Fraud and Intimidation in Philadelphia and elsewhere

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2008

A couple of good resources exposing (and seeking citizen journalists) on voter fraud and intimidation are Voter Fraud Squad and Election Journal.  The latter has video of two…

Media

Read More: Voter Fraud and Intimidation in Philadelphia and elsewhere

Government Accountability

Statewide Voter Guides

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 29, 2008

With less than a week before election day presidential candidate surveys and voter guides are everywhere, yet it can be difficult to find information on state candidates.

Media

Read More: Statewide Voter Guides

Government Accountability

Presidential (Economic) Issues Guide

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 28, 2008

While not getting the publicity of the Water and Sewer bond ballot measure, there is also a presidential election going on.  As I have gotten a request for “voters…

Media

Read More: Presidential (Economic) Issues Guide

Government Accountability

ACORN: The Shenanigans Continue

  • October 28, 2008

Tax evasion can now be added to the list of shady dealings with which ACORN has been associated in the recent weeks. Matthew Vadum, from Capital Research…

Media

Read More: ACORN: The Shenanigans Continue

Government Accountability

Report Voter Fraud, Win Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 28, 2008

The Sam Adams Alliance is holding a video contest to raise public awareness in election fraud and prevent it from occurring. Click here for details. While…

Media

Read More: Report Voter Fraud, Win Money

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Is Driving Its Doctors Away

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 25, 2008

Frederic Jarrett – a Pittsburgh doctor – editorializes in the Wall Street Journal as to how Governor Rendell is pushing doctors out a Pennsylvania by holding MCare abatement (a…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Is Driving Its Doctors Away

Government Accountability

One rotten Acorn?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2008

GrassrootsPA has a roundup of stories on the Philadelphia man, working with ACORN, who was charged with 108 counts related to forgery and fraud in voter registration.  In the…

Media

Read More: One rotten Acorn?

Government Accountability

Another claim that Pennsylvania is full of racists

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2008

First, Ed Rendell claimed that racist, conservative whites wouldn’t vote for Obama (just like they didn’t support Lynn Swann). Then Daily News columnist Fatimah Ali declared their would…

Media

Read More: Another claim that Pennsylvania is full of racists

Government Accountability

Campaign Finance Reform: Fool’s Gold

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2008

Imagine if George W. Bush would declare that, as part of the war on terrorism, he proposed the Patriot Act II, which would grant the federal government power to collect…

Media

Read More: Campaign Finance Reform: Fool’s Gold

Government Accountability

Please Spare us from a “Professional” Legislature

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2008

John LaPlante editorializes that states (Minnesota) should avoid the “professional legislature” model (e.g. Pennsylvania): The personal dynamics in professional legislatures also favor increased spending. Professional legislatures offer…

Media

Read More: Please Spare us from a “Professional” Legislature

Education

Time for School Board Transparency

  • October 20, 2008

Commonwealth Foundation launches “sunshine” project on school district labor negotiations HARRISBURG, PA —   Today, the Commonwealth Foundation announced the launch of a new project engaging in an effort to provide…

Press Release

Read More: Time for School Board Transparency

Government Accountability

ACORN Workers Afraid to Fall Short

  • October 20, 2008

An article in the New York Post today describes how ACORN employees in Ohio were pressured and bullied to meet voter registration quotas. Some workers were driven to bribing…

Media

Read More: ACORN Workers Afraid to Fall Short

Government Accountability

Autumn: Falling Leaves and ACORNS

  • October 17, 2008

The PA GOP filed a lawsuit today against ACORN and the Secretary of the Commonwealth for incidents of voter fraud. The lawsuit makes a number of requests, including requiring…

Media

Read More: Autumn: Falling Leaves and ACORNS

Government Accountability

Heritage on ACORN

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2008

The Heritage Foundation has a post today giving an informative primer on ACORN and how it gets it money.

Media

Read More: Heritage on ACORN

Government Accountability

Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 14, 2008

Our sister think tank in Ohio has filed a RICO suit (i.e. for organized crime) against ACORN for voter fraud.  The full complaint is here. Since stories…

Media

Read More: Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN

Government Accountability

Why Americans love term limits

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 13, 2008

Howard Rich, head of the pro-term limit group U.S. Term Limits, has an op-ed in the USA TODAY on why term limits are popular, except among legislators.

Media

Read More: Why Americans love term limits

Government Accountability

More on ACORN and Voter Fraud

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 9, 2008

As a followup to Jessica’s post on ACORN and Voter Fraud, here are some recent updates: The Tribune Review notes that investigations of ACORN could be coming to…

Media

Read More: More on ACORN and Voter Fraud

Government Accountability

Ghost voting still taking place in Pennsylvania House

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 8, 2008

Both Grassroots PA and Capitol Ideas have made note of yesterday’s PA House vote in which Republican leader Sam Smith noted some lawmakers were “voting” while they weren’t…

Media

Read More: Ghost voting still taking place in Pennsylvania House

Government Accountability

Voter Beware

  • October 6, 2008

ACORN, a “community organizing” grassroots group, has been raising a few eyebrows lately. The group engages in activism, lobbying, get-out-the-vote drives, and voter registration. The organization’s activities almost always help…

Media

Read More: Voter Beware

Government Accountability

Down with the Senate?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 4, 2008

Rep. Rich Grucela introduced a measure to eliminate the Pennsylvania Senate. Pennsylvania has functioned under a bi-cameral legislature since 1790, but Rep. Grucela is frustrated with…

Media

Read More: Down with the Senate?