The 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

The Call for Contract Transparency Continues

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 30, 2018

An ABC27 special investigation asks a simple question: “Would you pay a bill before you saw it?” Most people would answer with a resounding no. Yet, as the report highlights, that’s exactly…

Media

Read More: The Call for Contract Transparency Continues

Government Accountability

The Ethics Reform Pa. Should Prioritize

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 28, 2018

Governor Wolf recently revealed more details of his “Citizens First” plan to reform campaign finance laws and gerrymandering practices. This follows the state Supreme Court’s controversial decision to redraw…

Media

Read More: The Ethics Reform Pa. Should Prioritize

Government Accountability

Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many Problems

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2018

Today, Gov. Wolf  introduced a slew of “government reforms” to tackle Pennsylvania’s corruption problem. Here is our quick take on each. Gift Ban In theory, this seems like a…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many Problems

Government Accountability

Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should Pursue

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 12, 2018

Governor Wolf unveiled today his Citizens First Ethics Plan, which should cause Pennsylvanians to wonder, how willing is the governor to truly pursue ethics reform? The plan includes a…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should Pursue

Government Accountability

Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members

  • Jessica Barnett
  • February 13, 2018

Unionization doesn’t guarantee representation. Penn State graduate assistants may soon learn this lesson. Shortly after the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled the graduate assistants can unionize, the Pittsburgh Federation…

Media

Read More: Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members

Education

Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • January 26, 2018

“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” These words are as true today as…

Media

Read More: Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations

Government Accountability

Are PA Courts Biased Against Employers?

  • January 25, 2018

Every year, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) produces a report announcing the “Judicial Hellholes” across the nation. In the 2017 edition, Pennsylvania makes their list- twice. The…

Media

Read More: Are PA Courts Biased Against Employers?

Government Accountability

Restoring State Budget Transparency

  • Jessica Barnett
  • January 24, 2018

A House appropriations subcommittee hosted a hearing last week on Pennsylvania’s tax structure and fiscal policy. One of the issues highlighted – Pennsylvania’s lack of state budget transparency. Robert P.

Media

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Government Accountability

Overhauling Pennsylvania’s Budget Practices

  • December 11, 2017

Pennsylvania’s broken budget process hurts working Pennsylvanians. In the last two years, the state legislature passed spending packages, which Gov. Wolf allowed to become law without his signature, before authorizing…

Memo

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Government Accountability

A Step Towards Smarter Spending

  • November 29, 2017

The governor and state lawmakers are taking a step towards tackling our spending problem. On Tuesday a bicameral group of state lawmakers introduced a zero-based budgeting bill. This proposal would…

Media

Read More: A Step Towards Smarter Spending

Government Accountability

Inconvenient Facts: Debunking Climate Alarmists

  • Gordon Tomb
  • November 2, 2017

Governments should focus on supporting economic prosperity to enable better adaption to climate changes instead of controlling carbon footprints. Consider the contrast in hurricane recoveries between Florida, where an…

Media

Read More: Inconvenient Facts: Debunking Climate Alarmists

Government Accountability

Union Advantages Yield Undue Influence

  • October 11, 2017

In today’s political landscape big money is usually associated with corporations and industries like oil or gas, however, government unions are the most advantaged special interest in Pennsylvania. CF’s Nathan…

Media

Read More: Union Advantages Yield Undue Influence

Government Accountability

News Release: $65 Million in Earmarks Hidden in State’s Fiscal Code

  • August 16, 2017

Pennsylvanians shouldn’t need a decoder ring to know how their tax dollars are being spent. But lawmakers have hidden more than $65 million in vaguely worded earmarks in the Senate-passed…

Press Release

Read More: News Release: $65 Million in Earmarks Hidden in State’s Fiscal Code

Education

Audio: “Rainy Day” Funds Raining on Taxpayers

  • June 22, 2017

School districts across Pennsylvania have stashed away millions of surplus funds for a “rainy day,” yet some continue to request higher taxes at the same time. Of course, for…

Media

Read More: Audio: “Rainy Day” Funds Raining on Taxpayers

Education

Will Philly Union Contract Require State Bailout?

  • James Paul
  • June 20, 2017

Philadelphia’s new teacher contract could be so expensive as to require teacher layoffs to pay for it. But there’s another way the $395 million pact could be financed: with…

Media

Read More: Will Philly Union Contract Require State Bailout?

Education

Philly Union Contract Underscores Need for Transparency

  • James Paul
  • June 19, 2017

On Monday evening, members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) voted to approve a new labor contract with the School District of Philadelphia. Scant details have emerged on…

Media

Read More: Philly Union Contract Underscores Need for Transparency

Education

Growing Chorus Urges School Boards to Protect Taxpayers

  • James Paul
  • June 9, 2017

In response to CF’s research on school district reserve funds, reporters and editorial boards have weighed in on the question: Why are districts holding millions in reserve while seeking…

Media

Read More: Growing Chorus Urges School Boards to Protect Taxpayers

Government Accountability

Lawsuit Seeks to End Ghost Teaching in Reading

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 6, 2017

Across Pennsylvania, school districts are struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of education driven by unsustainble penion expenses. Yet, a special perk built into over 20 percent…

Media

Read More: Lawsuit Seeks to End Ghost Teaching in Reading

Education

School District Spending, Rainy Day Funds are Surging—Again

  • James Paul
  • May 18, 2017

Americans love Springtime—and for good reason! With Spring comes warm weather, blooming flowers, and baseball season. Most importantly, Spring is time for new data from Pennsylvania’s Department of Education—which yesterday…

Media

Read More: School District Spending, Rainy Day Funds are Surging—Again

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Collect Millions for Government Unions

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 10, 2017

Since 2010, Pennsylvania state government has used taxpayer resources to transfer $244 million to government union treasuries. This figure includes millions for highly political activities. According to records obtained via…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Collect Millions for Government Unions