Government Accountability
Pennsylvania Needs Genuine Election Integrity Reform
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. Imagine that you are at the liquor store but forgot your ID. Don’t worry, your friend can sign an affidavit saying you’re over 21.
Read More: Pennsylvania Needs Genuine Election Integrity ReformThe 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
Democracy vs incumbency
John Baer on the power of incubmency in the Philadelphia Daily News (citing Commonwealth Foundation data).
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A Revolution in 2006?
The 2006 primary election will serve as an important yardstick as to the lingering outrage in the electorate from the legislative pay raise on July 7, 2005 and failure to…
Commentary
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Court says auditor general cannot be made to review Legislature
So much for the Auditor General being the taxpayers’ watchdog! According to the AP: “A state court on Monday rejected a lawsuit by a citizen who wanted thestate…
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The price of gas
Gouging…by government. Read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial.
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One Man Collection Agency
John Baer of the Philadelphia Daily News on Gov. Rendell’s campaign contributions.
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Voter fraud in Pennsylvania? Gov. Rendell isn’t worried.
John Fund on Pennsylvania election fraud and oddities in today’s Wall Street Journal…
Media
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Cohen hits the books: $28,200 worth
Rep. Cohen, the #3 leader of the House Dems, is a self-described “voracious reader.” The bad news is that we taxpayers are being compelled to support his habit. According to…
Media
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TV Coverage of Commonwealth Foundation at PLC
If you won’t be able to attend the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, you will still be able to catch it all live on PCN – Pennsylvania Cable Network, starting…
Media
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Rendell Vetoes “Fair Share Act”
From the PA Manufacturers Association… FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2006 GOV. RENDELL VETOES BILL CANDIDATE RENDELL ENDORSEDFair Share Act vetoed by governor was identical to measure passed in…
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Sound Policy IS Sound Politics!
We are encouraged by the very familiar-sounding policy stance of these candidates for office. Sound policy IS sound poilitics! ______________ Text of March 7 news release…. Coalition of GOP challengers…
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Thinking about running for public office?
The Associated Press provides a good Q&A on what it takes to run for the Pennsylvania Legislatures. Interested? Click here to learn more.
Media
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City Slickers #1 and #2
This is funny. The Lt. Governor’s office issued this news release announcing that she and Gov. Rendell purchased the first and second fishing license. Talk about two fishies out of…
Media
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How a Bill Becomes a Law … PA style
In an effort to settle a dispute between some shareholders of Philly-based Sovereign Bank, as reported by the Patriot News, some “ghost voting” ocurred in the Senate. The bill,…
Media
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#254 on the Liberty Index lives up (down?) to his ranking
Philly Democratic Senator Vince Fumo (who scored the worst on our Liberty Index) has proposed a graduated income tax to further punish the producers in Pennsylvania. Nevermind that the “rich”…
Media
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Rep. Metcalfe on the Liberty Index
From a news release from Rep. Daryl Metcalfe… Rep. Daryl Metcalfe: Metcalfe tops Liberty Index for second year in a row. HARRISBURG — Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) is again the…
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Liberty Index in Lancaster
Democratic Rep. Mike Sturla’s response to his F- grade in the Intelligencer Journal is classic: “[T]hese are people who never bothered to drive, or get prescription drugs for their…
Media
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Will 2006 be the year of reform?
Democratic Representative Greg Vitali hopes so. Read his commentary in today’s Philly Inquirer.
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Go to Harrisburg to do good, and end up doing well…very well
WNEP-TV’s Scott Schaffer’s Lawmaker Retirements Won’t Come Cheap.
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Churches funding Pittsburgh
Several charities, including churches and religious groups, voluntary donated $4.6 million to the city of Pittsburgh, according to the Tribune-Review. Apparently the “separation of church and state” applies only…
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What We Are Up Against
Paul Jacob’s Common Sense… New York State Senator John Marchi of Staten Island is an old hand at politics. And he doesn’t think much of any idea to oust…
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Capital Gains Tax Reform Benefits Seniors, Pennsylvanians
The Tax Foundation released an analysis of federal capital gains and dividend taxes: The Tax Foundation – Majority of Seniors Benefit from Reduced Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates.
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