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
Update: State Spending Transparency
A reader emailed to ask if there are examples of states with online spending databases. Indeed states across the country are adopting transparency legislation while state officials and think tanks…
Media
Read More: Update: State Spending TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Constitutional Convention in IL gets a boost
The Illinois Constitutional Convention ballot question, discussed in a previous post, got a couple of boosts in the last week. First came news that the Cook County Assessor…
Media
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Perzel’s Parking Authority
Here is a funny video in which “Manatee” declares his desire to run the Philadelphia Parking Authority, so that he can work as little as possible, hire all his…
Media
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Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?
Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review reports on the inability of the General Assembly to pass reform legislation this session. The Senate is blaming the House for failing to act…
Media
Read More: Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?Government Accountability
Talking Free Markets with Karl Rove
I had the chance to hear Karl Rove speak at a conference hosted by Hillsdale College on “Economics and the 2008 Election.” Rove had some interesting things to say:…
Media
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Must See TV: “The Call of the Entrepreneur”
The Fox Business Channel is featuring The Call of the Entrepreneur at the following times: • Saturday, September 27 5:00 – 6:00 PM EST / 2:00 – 3:00 PM…
Media
Read More: Must See TV: “The Call of the Entrepreneur”Government Accountability
Bonus Ban(s) pass House State Government
After numerous complaints about the lack of action on reform bills (including from yours truly) the House State Government committee today voted to send two “bonus ban” bills…
Media
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Election Protection – The Nation’s Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition (Draft)
Election Protection – The Nation’s Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition…
Media
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Follow the Commonwealth Foundation on Twitter
The Commonwealth Foundation is now on Twitter. If you Twitter, or thinking of signing up to show how young and hip you are (do the young and hip still…
Media
Read More: Follow the Commonwealth Foundation on TwitterGovernment Accountability
Discharge resolution on bonus ban bill
Representative Brad Roae sends us this regarding his discharge resolution for SB 986, the “Bonus Ban” “On Monday I turned in a Discharge Resolution to pull the bill…
Media
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Why a special session on reform is needed
During a press conference calling on Cerberus and the House Democrats to pass a number of reform bills already passed unanimously by the Senate, contending that a special…
Media
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Great Website on Fiscal Responsibility
Americans for Tax Reform has launched its Center for Fiscal Responsibility, a fantastic site dedicated to (as the name implies) fiscal responsibility in federal state and local government. I…
Media
Read More: Great Website on Fiscal ResponsibilityGovernment Accountability
New Blog: Snippets of PA Capitol Coverage
Pennsylvania Legislative Service has a new blog, which will include some of their coverage of happenings at the state Capitol (previously available only to paid subscribers) such as wrap…
Media
Read More: New Blog: Snippets of PA Capitol CoverageGovernment Accountability
DeWeese boasts about House reforms
The Herald Standard has an article in which Bill DeWeese praises all the reforms the House has done under his watch. Eric Epstein and Tim Potts offer…
Media
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House Republican Caucus: Opening the Books
The House Republican Caucus has posted a number of contracts on the Treasurer’s website and announced they will start observing the new Open…
Media
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As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
Media
Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending ContinuesGovernment Accountability
Past Time to Clean Up Harrisburg
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a couple of stories on corruption in the Capitol. One is a query about the $10 million in taxpayer grants directed to the Beaver…
Media
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Does Government Need to Fund R&D?
An interesting query on the role of government in research and new technologies from OpenMarket.org. The insight is relevant both for topics like bio-fuel research and stem-cell research, but…
Media
Read More: Does Government Need to Fund R&D?Government Accountability
Open the Books on Government Spending
Imagine a website where you could instantly find information about the salary of your legislator or the amount of money your school district spends on textbooks. Think of a database…
Commentary
Read More: Open the Books on Government SpendingGovernment Accountability
Push for reform coming up short
Here is one of the most disheartening articles I have read about reform in Harrisburg. (HT: Grassroots PA). Not only do some Pennsylvania lawmakers think that the…
Media
Read More: Push for reform coming up shortGovernment Accountability
BonusGate update and questions
The Democracy Rising PA Newsletter raises some interesting points about a pronouncement by Attorney General Tom Corbett that he wouldn’t make announcements about indictments leading up to Nov.
Media
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