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
Too Close for Comfort: Gov. Wolf and SEIU
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
Read More: Too Close for Comfort: Gov. Wolf and SEIUGovernment Accountability
Transparency is the Antidote to Quid Pro Quo Politics
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
Read More: Transparency is the Antidote to Quid Pro Quo PoliticsGovernment Accountability
Something Pennsylvania Government Does Pretty Well
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 WellGovernment Accountability
New Contract, Still no Transparency
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
Read More: New Contract, Still no TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Transparency 10 Years after the Pay Raise
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 Although it was ultimately repealed, the pay raise was a dark hour in Pennsylvania political history.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
Read More: Transparency 10 Years after the Pay RaiseGovernment Accountability
Contract Transparency Still Critical
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
Read More: Contract Transparency Still CriticalGovernment Accountability
An Update on Union Contracts
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
Read More: An Update on Union ContractsGovernment Accountability
Letter to Gov. Wolf: Side with Voters, Not Government Union Special Interests
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 Gov. Wolf: Side with Voters,Not Government Union Special Interests Wolf’s Stances Mirror His Major Donors’ at Taxpayers’…
Press Release
Read More: Letter to Gov. Wolf: Side with Voters, Not Government Union Special InterestsGovernment Accountability
Podcast: Who Killed Harrisburg?
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
Read More: Podcast: Who Killed Harrisburg?Government Accountability
Getting the Best Deal from Government
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
Read More: Getting the Best Deal from GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Union Contract Agreements Bolster Case for Collective Bargaining Transparency
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
Read More: Union Contract Agreements Bolster Case for Collective Bargaining TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Audio: Bills Shine Light On Union Contract Negotiations
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 NegotiationsGovernment Accountability
A Transparent Win for Taxpayers
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
Read More: A Transparent Win for TaxpayersGovernment Accountability
State Senate Passes Financial Transparency Bills
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
Read More: State Senate Passes Financial Transparency BillsGovernment Accountability
Pro-Taxpayer, Pro-Transparency Bills Move Forward
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
Read More: Pro-Taxpayer, Pro-Transparency Bills Move ForwardGovernment Accountability
Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in Senate
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
Read More: Bills Shining Light on Secret Contract Talks Advance in SenateGovernment Accountability
Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
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 ComeGovernment Accountability
Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining Process
Gov. Tom Wolf has an opportunity to deliver a fresh start to Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process. Over the next few months, the governor and his administration will be negotiating…
Media
Read More: Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining ProcessGovernment Accountability
Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually
Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually Artificial Wage Inflation Harms School Districts, Local Governments, and Taxpayers Wouldn’t a billion…
Press Release
Read More: Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion AnnuallyGovernment Accountability
Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him Millions
Wolf received more than $2.6 million in campaign contributions from six of the government unions with whom he will be negotiating. How does Wolf square these contributions to his…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him MillionsGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government
Did you know the Wolf administration is in the process of negotiating contracts with some of the governor’s biggest campaign contributors? It’s true. Government unions gave more than $2.6 million…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government