Fairness
Election Reform in Pennsylvania
Summary Ahead of the 2020 election, Pennsylvania allowed no excuse mail-in voting for the first time. Officials overwhelmed with millions of ballot requests, last-minute state guidance, and litigation resulted in…
Read More: Election Reform in PennsylvaniaThe 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
Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 Billion
How much is the cost of doing business with Pennsylvania state government unions? For the most recent round of contract negotiations, an additional $1.15 billion over the next four years.
Media
Read More: Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 BillionGovernment Accountability
Budget Earmarks: Sneaky and Unconstitutional
A wise buyer should always read the fine print, but it isn’t easy. Documents like cell phone contracts and software user agreements can be hard to read, often by design. The dense language…
Media
Read More: Budget Earmarks: Sneaky and UnconstitutionalGovernment Accountability
A Look Inside New Government Union Contracts
Government union leaders recently reached multi-year contract agreement with the Wolf Administration, including 18% compensation increases over four years. Even though taxpayers foot the bill, they are still waiting to know…
Media
Read More: A Look Inside New Government Union ContractsGovernment Accountability
The Shadow Budget Comes to Light
The shadow budget is coming into the light in an unlikely way this…
Media
Read More: The Shadow Budget Comes to LightGovernment Accountability
Transparency Deferred During Union Contract Negotiations
Public dollars, secrecy, and politics should never mix. Yet, it’s a disturbingly common practice in Pennsylvania as public officials negotiate costly government employee contracts with their campaign donors—behind closed…
Media
Read More: Transparency Deferred During Union Contract NegotiationsGovernment Accountability
Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally Ends
Six years ago, Pam Harris fought in court to keep her disabled son at home. A portion of her limited caregiver stipend was being funneled to union she never…
Media
Read More: Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally EndsCriminal Justice Reform
Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort
Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…
Media
Read More: Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan EffortGovernment Accountability
How Restoring Workers’ Rights Brings Fairness to All Pennsylvanians
For decades, public sector union leaders have used their unfair political advantages to block public policies that will help our state and citizens flourish. Restoring workers’ rights is critical for a fair…
Memo
Read More: How Restoring Workers’ Rights Brings Fairness to All PennsylvaniansGovernment Accountability
Union Leaders Lied, Now Members Sue
Unions should represent employees, not work against their own members’ interests. Yet, that’s exactly what happened to public sector workers in Erie—and some are pushing back. During closed-door negotiation…
Media
Read More: Union Leaders Lied, Now Members SueGovernment Accountability
It’s Apparent PA’s Not Transparent
Parties and perks on taxpayers' dime was the headline-grabbing news from Pennsylvania's Auditor General investigation of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC). His findings underscore the need for government transparency. The SRBC,…
Media
Read More: It’s Apparent PA’s Not TransparentGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania’s #1 Special Interest Problem
A solution that makes the problem worse is no solution at all. Yet, recent calls for campaign finance reform and a natural gas severance tax would do just that—selectively…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s #1 Special Interest ProblemCriminal Justice Reform
Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life Sentences
In this second blog in our Safe and Smart series, we tackle Pennsylvania’s practice of sentencing offenders to life without parole (LWOP). LWOP is coming under greater scrutiny from people across the…
Media
Read More: Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life SentencesCriminal Justice Reform
Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System
CF’s newest policy brief, Safer Communities, Smarter Spending, provides a unique look at the problems in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. The commonwealth’s incarceration rate is too high. Its supervision…
Media
Read More: Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation SystemCriminal Justice Reform
Safer Communities, Smarter Spending
About 95 percent of those confined to state prison will eventually re-enter society. This is why reformers must focus attention on reducing recidivism and balance "tough on crime" practices of the past…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Safer Communities, Smarter SpendingGovernment Accountability
Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.
Pennsylvania’s prohibition error(!) liquor system lends itself to corruption. The sentencing of former Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) official James Short serves as a stark reminder of this undeniable fact.
Media
Read More: Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.Criminal Justice Reform
Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf
In the last four years Pennsylvania has experienced rapid state spending growth. On the plus side, constant tax hike proposals have been largely rejected and policies like pension reform, school…
Memo
Read More: Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. WolfGovernment Accountability
State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in Earmarks
July 24, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Nearly 50 obscurely-worded earmarks are buried in Pennsylvania’s fiscal code—amounting to $35 million in hidden expenses—according to a Commonwealth Foundation analysis. Click here for a searchable…
Press Release
Read More: State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in EarmarksGovernment Accountability
Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?
Separating taxpayer resources from private or political purposes is a principle ingrained in our society. It's one of the many reasons Pennsylvania politicians have spent a significant amount of time…
Media
Read More: Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?Government Accountability
Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare Accessibility
Recent debates over health care reform in Washington have centered around reorganizing insurance markets, but improving America’s health care system requires a more comprehensive approach. And states can lead the…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare AccessibilityGovernment Accountability
Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt
Government transparency is a driving issue for Rep. Seth Grove. Without it, citizens can’t determine if state government is spending tax dollars efficiently. And hiding government operations from the public…
Media
Read More: Transparency is Fundamental to Good GovtGovernment Accountability
Government that Works?in the Shadows
Legislation introduced by Rep. Seth Grove—House Bill 1843—injects a much-needed dose of transparency into the state budget. The proposal would give taxpayers access to critical budget documents and financial…
Media
Read More: Government that Works?in the Shadows