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
Judge sues to refuse pay raise
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin’s lawsuit to not have her pay raised. I guess she doesn’t agree with Chief Justice Cappy that judges are…
Media
Read More: Judge sues to refuse pay raiseGovernment Accountability
A Tale of Two GOPs
Wall Street Journal editorial points out that Republicans are in strong shape in places where they stuck to the conservative principles they campaigned on (Florida) and are in deep…
Media
Read More: A Tale of Two GOPsGovernment Accountability
Lame ducks ruffle feathers in 3 statehouses
Stateline.org article on Lame Duck legislatures. Guess which state is the leader in post-election shenanigans.
Media
Read More: Lame ducks ruffle feathers in 3 statehousesGovernment Accountability
EDITORIAL | State judges underpaid?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorializes on judges’ pay.
Media
Read More: EDITORIAL | State judges underpaid?Government Accountability
The Incumbents We Need
Pennsylvania’s 2006 elections will go down in the history books as one in which citizens overturned the apple cart of many incumbent state legislators. While many career politicians are already…
Commentary
Read More: The Incumbents We NeedGovernment Accountability
‘Smart Talk’ on pay raise
Alison Hawkes summary of Chief Justice Cappy’s defense of the judicial pay raise: “He said judges needed a pay hike because salaries were slipping compared to other states, although…
Media
Read More: ‘Smart Talk’ on pay raiseGovernment Accountability
Pa. courts say judges’ pay will rise with feds
AP Report that court adminstrators say PA judges pay are now tied to federal judges. While this differs from my reading of the court ruling on cost-of-living-adjustments, and…
Media
Read More: Pa. courts say judges’ pay will rise with fedsGovernment Accountability
The Know-Nothing Campaign
Nick Gillespie column on the absurdity of the McCain-Feingold free speech regulations which bans mentioning of candidates in ads within 60 days of an election. We don’t want voters…
Media
Read More: The Know-Nothing CampaignGovernment Accountability
Lack of evidence to support raise
Scranton Times-Tribune editorial takes on Chief Justice Cappy’s defense of a judicial pay raise.
Media
Read More: Lack of evidence to support raiseEducation
Editorial: PHEAA should open books or lose monopoly
DelcoTimes suggests “If PHEAA doesn’t want to open its books, the state should open its doors to competition in the student loan field. Then residents can compare organizations and…
Media
Read More: Editorial: PHEAA should open books or lose monopolyGovernment Accountability
Chief Justice calls pay raises vital to strong judiciary : The Morning Call Online
Chief Justice Cappy is back to defending the judicial pay raise, calling it his “moral duty to seek pay raises for state judges” in The Morning Call. Read…
Media
Read More: Chief Justice calls pay raises vital to strong judiciary : The Morning Call OnlineGovernment Accountability
Judicial Pay After Court Ruling
Here is what PA judges will make following the court ruling reinstating the judicial pay raise: http://mail.comfdnprod.wpengine.com/judgespay.pdf…
Media
Read More: Judicial Pay After Court RulingGovernment Accountability
Judicial pay raise outrage
WHP CBS21 coverage of the pay raise ruling, featuring video of our very own Matthew Brouillette talking with angry callers.
Media
Read More: Judicial pay raise outrageGovernment Accountability
Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Pay Raise
The PA Supreme Court Opinion on the pay raise, issued today (view the last two pages for the Conclusion) makes the following decisions: 1) The repeal (Act 72 of…
Media
Read More: Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Pay RaiseGovernment Accountability
Pay Raise is Back
The Patriot News reports that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reinstated last July’s pay raise, for judges–a ruling which raises the pay of the Supreme Court Justices. The ruling also…
Media
Read More: Pay Raise is BackGovernment Accountability
The real meaning of ‘reform’
Brad Bumsted column in Sunday’s Pittsburgh Tribune Review on the need for legislative reform. He cites the recent Commonwealth Foundation study on reforms needed.
Media
Read More: The real meaning of ‘reform’Government Accountability
Legislative leaders need a diet
A must-watch story from KDKA exposing how many legislators leaders take $141 per-diem for “lodging and meals” every day they are in Harrisburg, then charge taxpayers for catering or…
Media
Read More: Legislative leaders need a dietGovernment Accountability
Potential Effects of Reducing the Size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
One of the most discussed legislative reforms in Harrisburg is a reduction in the size of the General Assembly. One version of this proposal, SB 890, sponsored by Sen. John…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Potential Effects of Reducing the Size of the Pennsylvania General AssemblyGovernment Accountability
The Fumo Legal Defense Fund
State Sen. Vince Fumo, under federal investigation for corruption, used $900,000 of taxpayer’s dollars for his legal defense (in addition to $300,000 of campaign contributions) the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Media
Read More: The Fumo Legal Defense FundGovernment Accountability
Principles Worth Fighting For
Though I have watched Braveheart several dozen times, last weekend was the first time that the blood, violence, and men in kilts reminded me of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Unfortunately,…
Commentary
Read More: Principles Worth Fighting ForGovernment Accountability
The Lieberman Lesson
New York Times analysis of the new partisan dynamics: “Traditional Democratic interest groups have steadily lost ground to a more partisan, progressive movement skilled at using the Internet to…
Media
Read More: The Lieberman Lesson