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 Last to Know

  • October 20, 2015

Last week the Crestwood Area School Board tentatively agreed to a new contract with the school district’s local union leadership. In keeping with the prevailing trend across the…

Media

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Government Accountability

Taxpayers Deserve a Debate

  • October 14, 2015

A dispute in the Scranton School District over the cost of a teachers’ contract is another example of why the collective bargaining process must become more transparent. According to the…

Media

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Government Accountability

Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms

  • October 13, 2015

Poll: Large Majorities in PA Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms Paycheck Protection, Contract Transparency, Spending Limits Get High Marks October 13, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Critical transparency and accountability measures…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

Secret Contract Leaves Taxpayers in the Dark

  • September 29, 2015

In a special Friday night voting session, board members in Monessen School District unanimously approved a new teachers’ contract, which runs through 2018. The terms of the contract, including…

Media

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Government Accountability

Too Close for Comfort: Gov. Wolf and SEIU

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 27, 2015

New documents obtained by the Commonwealth Foundation (publicized by the Post-Gazette in a recent story) show a frightening closeness between Gov. Wolf and union leaders, particularly leaders at the SEIU. In…

Media

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Government Accountability

Transparency is the Antidote to Quid Pro Quo Politics

  • August 24, 2015

Did Attorney General Kathleen Kane promise a sweetheart deal to union leaders in exchange for support of her controversial chief of staff? According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, enough evidence exists to…

Media

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Government Accountability

Something Pennsylvania Government Does Pretty Well

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 19, 2015

A new report on state spending transparency websites gives Pennsylvania’s site—PennWatch—a solid ‘B’ grade. Created through legislation passed in 2011, PennWatch offers data—down to the “checkbook level”—on state…

Media

Read More: Something Pennsylvania Government Does Pretty Well

Government Accountability

New Contract, Still no Transparency

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 14, 2015

The newest state contract with AFSCME—the union representing more than 30,000 state workers—was signed earlier this week. The contract was agreed to in April, then ratified by…

Media

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Government Accountability

Transparency 10 Years after the Pay Raise

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • July 7, 2015

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the midnight pay raise. Although it was ultimately repealed, the pay raise was a dark hour in Pennsylvania political history. Over the…

Media

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Government Accountability

Contract Transparency Still Critical

  • June 29, 2015

Harrisburg is abuzz as the budget battle continues. With high profile legislation on liquor privatization, pension and education reform receiving much attention, it’s easy to lose sight of a fundamental…

Media

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Government Accountability

An Update on Union Contracts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2015

Earlier this week, the House State Government Committee moved SB 644 and SB 645—bills which would provide taxpayers greater information about contracts with government unions—to the House floor.

Media

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Government Accountability

Podcast: Who Killed Harrisburg?

  • June 8, 2015

Who killed Harrisburg? That’s the question award-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst answers in his new book Capital Murder, which chronicles how Harrisburg became the only capital city in American…

Media

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Government Accountability

Getting the Best Deal from Government

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 27, 2015

If you’ve ever spent hundreds on a smartphone or thousands on a new car, you know what it’s like to hunt for the best deal. Yet when paying for state…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Union Contract Agreements Bolster Case for Collective Bargaining Transparency

  • May 20, 2015

The Wolf Administration finalized contracts with two government unions yesterday, perfectly encapsulating the failings of the current collective bargaining process. In a terse press release, the Wolf Administration announced…

Media

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Government Accountability

Audio: Bills Shine Light On Union Contract Negotiations

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • May 13, 2015

Public sector union contracts are a huge cost for the state government, and they have also become a conflict of interest for Gov. Wolf. He will be negotiating contract deals with…

Media

Read More: Audio: Bills Shine Light On Union Contract Negotiations

Government Accountability

A Transparent Win for Taxpayers

  • May 6, 2015

Today the Senate took a significant step to make state government more transparent and accountable by approving SB 644 and SB 645. Here’s a brief description of the…

Media

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Government Accountability

State Senate Passes Financial Transparency Bills

  • May 6, 2015

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact:717-671-1901 State Senate Passes Financial Transparency Bills Lets Public in on Secret Government Union Talks Worth Billions of Dollars May 6,…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

Pro-Taxpayer, Pro-Transparency Bills Move Forward

  • James Paul
  • April 22, 2015

Government union contract negotiations—long shrouded in secrecy behind closed-door meetings—are one step closer to openness and transparency. Today, a series of bills passed the Senate State Government Committee that will…

Media

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Government Accountability

Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in Senate

  • April 22, 2015

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in Senate Openness Sought in Closed-Door Negotiations Costing Billions…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 7, 2015

State union contracts worth billions of taxpayer dollars would be available for public inspection before being signed by the governor, if proposals unveiled by two state Senators become law. The…

Media

Read More: Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has Come