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
Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’?
Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’? Government Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature April 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government…
Press Release
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Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture
Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture 14-Year Tenure Saw Exponential Growth of State’s Free-Market Think Tank April 5, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After 14 years…
Press Release
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Big Win for Transparency
One year ago, Governor Tom Wolf began negotiating contracts worth billions of dollars with state employee unions. Despite his rhetoric about improving government transparency, these negotiations took place behind closed doors.
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House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency
House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency Would Lift Veil of Cost Secrecy from Government Union Deals March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed…
Press Release
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Gov. Wolf Can Lead by Example on Transparency
Today Gov. Wolf unveiled a series of reforms aimed at increasing transparency and improving how government works. The plan includes limits on campaign contributions and a governmentwide gift ban. However, the governor's attempt…
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Wolf on Transparency: Do As I Say, Not As I do
Note: Gov. Wolf's press conference referred to below was cancelled. Wolf on Transparency: Do As I Say, Not As I Do Gov. Calls for Openness, Negotiates $3.6…
Press Release
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Gov. Wolf’s Self-Created Constitutional Conflict
Rep. Bill Adolph accused the Wolf administration of creating a budget crisis during Thursday's final House Appropriations Committee budget hearing. In an op-ed published Friday,…
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The Price of Secret Negotiations
The cost of compensating the state's workforce is nearly $93,000 per public employee. This illustrates why Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process, which permits the politically powerful to operate in secret, must be reformed to…
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A Tale of Two School Districts
North Allegheny School District and Pittsburgh School District are barely a dozen miles apart, but their budgeting approaches for the next fiscal year are worlds apart. Thanks to rising pension…
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Taxpayer-Funded Union Politics in Philadelphia
It's no secret that the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) plucks teachers out of the classroom to work as full-time union operatives. These individuals are known as ghost teachers—and their…
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Wolf to Pension Commission: ‘You’re Fired!’
Wolf to Pension Commission: “You’re Fired!” Governor’s Pattern of Eliminating Opposition Defies Claims of Accountability February 3, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The latest casualty of Gov. Tom Wolf’s “my…
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Wolf to PERC: “You’re Fired!”
Gov. Wolf has a history of trying to fire individuals who won’t kowtow to his agenda. He tried to remove Erik Arneson as head of the independent Office of Open…
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Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets
Shhh… State’s Fiscal Code Hides Earmark Secrets Budget Companion Bill Picks Winners at Lobbyists’ Behest January 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—On Tuesday, the Pa. House passed a “fiscal code” which…
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Fiscal Code Packed with Earmarks
Pennsylvania's fiscal code is intended to provide lawmakers with instructions for spending funds appropriated in the state budget. But it is also ground-zero for a host of earmarks that funnel limited…
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Governor Wolf’s Budget Hostages
Tom Wolf finally admitted he held school children hostage in hopes of higher taxes: “We're now at a point where I don't want to hold the children of Pennsylvania hostage.” But…
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State Budget Should Consider Pa. Freedom Index
State Budget Should Consider Pa. Freedom Index Commonwealth Ranks Mediocre 21st in Economic Freedom December 16, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Pennsylvania may be home to the cradle of liberty, but…
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PA Fails Integrity Test
There is a clear need for improved governmental accountability and transparency in Pennsylvania, but how does the commonwealth compare to the rest of the country? According to the Center…
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For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters Control
Should voters have the right to approve property tax increases? This is a central point of contention within a rumored budget framework that purports to provide Pennsylvanians with property tax…
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Union Political Spending in the 2015 Pennsylvania Elections
The problem isn't that unions give a lot, or even that they dominate political spending. The problem is that government union dues and campaign contributions are collected at taxpayer expense…
Memo
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Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack Ads
Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform—a new “SuperPAC” (technically an “Independent Expenditure Committee”) registered in August—has spent about $2.5 million on attack ads in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race. Who…
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A Revolving Door of Corruption
The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…
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