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
Thomas Jefferson: Blogger
While I thought we had the most influential blog around (or at least number 7), this Jefferson guy from Charlottesville seems to be quoted quite a bit.
Media
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Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?
In early July, the State Treasurer’s office revealed the new PA Contracts e-Library as required by the recent Open Records law. The database posts government contracts and grants in…
Media
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Should 18 year-olds be allowed to drink (legally)?
A large group of college presidents have launched an initiative to lower the legal drinking age from 21 to18. Their argument is that 18 to 21 year…
Media
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16 days of work in six months may tire House
Eric Heyl, with a hint of sarcasm, suggests that the 16 days the PA House (and the 10 days for the PA Senate) is scheduled to be in session between July…
Media
Read More: 16 days of work in six months may tire HouseGovernment Accountability
A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial Memorandum
The U.S. Attorney General’s Trial Memorandum for the upcoming federal trial, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. VINCENT J. FUMO & RUTH ARNAO, reads like a movie script. Unfortunately,…
Media
Read More: A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial MemorandumGovernment Accountability
Turnpike chairman Rubin under fire as “ghost employee” of federal defendant Fumo
TOLLROADSnews, the toll road industry’s news website, highlights the connections between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Sen. Vince Fumo’s upcoming federal trial. We’re still scratching our heads as to…
Media
Read More: Turnpike chairman Rubin under fire as “ghost employee” of federal defendant FumoGovernment Accountability
California Lawmaker Kicked Out of Capitol
From The Club For Growth blog: Democratic leaders in the California legislature kicked Assemblywoman Nicole Parra out of the Capitol building because she didn’t…
Media
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Missouri study of merit selection of judges
One topic that came up in our luncheon on a state Constitutional Convention was merit selection of judges (we also held a luncheon on that topic earlier this…
Media
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Is Pennsylvania Ready for a Constitutional Convention?
Video from yesterday’s luncheon on Reviving Reform: Is it Time for a Constitutional Convention? featuring Sen. Jeff Piccola and Rep. Rosemarie Swanger is now available on our YouTube…
Media
Read More: Is Pennsylvania Ready for a Constitutional Convention?Government Accountability
Reducing the Size of the General Assembly
Testimony before the House State Government Committee, August 19, 2008 Thank you, Chairwoman Josephs, and members of the House State Government Committee for the opportunity to testify today on the…
Testimony
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Reform doesn’t mean suing to get candidates off the ballot
Last month, as part of the bonusgate indictments, PA House Democratic representatives and staffers were accused of illegally using taxpayer money to challenge petitions and effectively get Ralph Nader off…
Media
Read More: Reform doesn’t mean suing to get candidates off the ballotGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania not only state looking at Constitutional Convention
Today’s Policies and Principles Luncheon will focus discuss whether Pennsylvania needs to hold a Constitutional Convention (see also Sen. Piccola’s commentary on the need for a Convention on…
Media
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Reform Update
PACleanSweep has recently updated its Hall of Shame to highlight the senators and representatives who have not signed the petition calling for a special session of the General Assembly…
Media
Read More: Reform UpdateGovernment Accountability
Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy
Pennsylvania and Ohio share more than a border. Both states spend a ton of money on “economic development” while consistently failing to attract new jobs. No wonder elected…
Media
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Bonusgate, corruption, and reform news
There are plenty of stories on corruption and reform in today’s papers: DeWeese under fire: State Rep. Josh Shapiro calls on House Majority Leader Bill Deweese to stop down…
Media
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Absurd statement of the day
The attorney for Sean Ramaley – who was indicted in the bonusgate scandal (accused of taking a no-work job to campaign for the House, and dropped his bid for…
Media
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Too little… too late
Lowman Henry weighs in on the House State Government Committee’s upcoming hearing on reducing the size of the legislature. He doesn’t say much on the merits of the proposal…
Media
Read More: Too little… too lateGovernment Accountability
How Many Wives Is Too Many?
John Stossel has a Townhall Commentary, likely to be controversial among the Townhall readers, about polygamy. He quotes one polygamist activist (not sure if there is more than one):…
Media
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Legal fees double taxpayers’ cost in bonus scandal
Tribune Review story highlights the millions of taxpayer dollars spent on legal fees – the bulk by House Democrats – in response to the bonusgate investigation. Taxpayers picked…
Media
Read More: Legal fees double taxpayers’ cost in bonus scandalGovernment Accountability
Spammed by your Government
Mario Cattabiani describes in the Philadelphia Inquirer how House Democrats spent $1.2 million to buy email address to send political messages to. And that’s not including several…
Media
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PA Housing Markets
Trulia.com has a tool to map housing prices, national, state, or locally. Here is the Pennsylvania map. (HT Carpe Diem)…
Media
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