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
The Last to Know
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…
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Taxpayers Deserve a Debate
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…
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Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms
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…
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Secret Contract Leaves Taxpayers in the Dark
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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’…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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