Public Union Democracy
Teachers’ Unions Influence and the Politics of Education
Get ready for a riveting episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report! Host David Osborne is joined by The Daily Signal Investigative Columnist and WIBC radio host Tony Kennett for…
Read More: Teachers’ Unions Influence and the Politics of EducationCompulsory public unions threaten individual worker rights and cost taxpayers billions. Reforms to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act are needed to restore and protect workers’ rights. No one—including government employees—should be blocked from leaving a union. To increase government integrity and accountability, policies should be adopted that ensure all special interests groups, including government unions, interact with the state government on a level playing field.
Public Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection is About Morality, not Cost
It is a principle of good government that electoral politics are not mixed with official government business. Yet state and local governments in Pennsylvania continue to collect political campaign funds…
Commentary
Read More: Paycheck Protection is About Morality, not CostGovernment Accountability
Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 Election
The evidence is overwhelming: Unions use members' dues and taxpayer resources to push their political agenda. By passing paycheck protection, Pennsylvania can move toward leveling the political playing field, making…
Memo
Read More: Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 ElectionGovernment Accountability
No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want Transparency
Lehigh County commissioners are getting the silent treatment during labor contract negotiations, and they aren’t happy about it. Reportedly, the current county executive, Tom Muller, refused leadership…
Media
Read More: No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want TransparencyEducation
Teachers Denied the Right to Represent Themselves
Last week the Bethlehem Area School District approved a new labor contract that will force all teachers—even those who do not want the union’s services—to pay the organization hundreds of…
Media
Read More: Teachers Denied the Right to Represent ThemselvesEducation
After 50 years of Union Control, Philly Schools Still Failing
Academic failure, school violence, and financial mismanagement have been the dubious hallmarks of the School District of Philadelphia for decades. In that time, there has been one constant actor fighting…
Commentary
Read More: After 50 years of Union Control, Philly Schools Still FailingPublic Union Democracy
Mary’s Law is Introduced
Paycheck protection legislation, known as “Mary’s Law,” was officially introduced in the state House of Representatives as HB 238. With the backing of 39 co-sponsors, Mary’s Law seeks to…
Media
Read More: Mary’s Law is IntroducedEducation
Podcast: A Local-Only Teachers Union?
Michigan teacher Jim Perialas has an unusual story. In 2012 his school, Roscommon Area School District, became the first in decades to decertify (or leave) the state-wide Michigan Education Association…
Media
Read More: Podcast: A Local-Only Teachers Union?Government Accountability
Will Gov. Wolf Stay True to “Openness” in Government?
Gov. Tom Wolf’s first week in office included several moves to paint a picture of ethics and transparency in state government. First Wolf issued executive orders banning executive staff from…
Media
Read More: Will Gov. Wolf Stay True to “Openness” in Government?Education
Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory What Could $200 Million Buy Philadelphia Students? Good afternoon, In a blow to education reform…
Press Release
Read More: Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares VictoryEducation
Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms
The school district of Philadelphia saw a $1 billion increase in revenue over the past decade, even as enrollment declined. Yet many claim there isn’t enough funding for basic…
Media
Read More: Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia ClassroomsPublic Union Democracy
Audio: Mary’s Law Ends Unfair Political Privilege
Government unions have the luxury of using taxpayers’ resources—which should never be used for politics—to collect their political dues money and direct campaign contributions. Simultaneously, these unions have been wrongly…
Media
Read More: Audio: Mary’s Law Ends Unfair Political PrivilegePublic Union Democracy
Union-Backed Political Group Not Accountable
Here’s your daily dose of irony: Pennsylvanians for Accountability, a union-backed political nonprofit, may have to pay a $50,000 fine for its lack of accountability. According to The Center…
Media
Read More: Union-Backed Political Group Not AccountableGovernment Accountability
Wolf’s Multi-Million Dollar Conflict of Interest
Governor-elect Tom Wolf has come out of the gate leading a charge for ethics reform in government. But if accepting a small gift creates a conflict of interest, the gov.-elect…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Multi-Million Dollar Conflict of InterestPublic Union Democracy
Disappointed and Determined
Today, I am both disappointed and determined. I am disappointed that it is now a mathematical impossibility for any of the reforms you and countless other Pennsylvanians have demanded to…
Media
Read More: Disappointed and DeterminedEducation
Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting For
As a teacher, a father of kids in public schools, and a taxpayer, I urge all our elected officials to join me in standing up for what’s right. Pass a…
Commentary
Read More: Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting ForPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Admits Using Dues for Politics
The Pennsylvania State Education Association admitted using union members’ dues, via a “SuperPAC,” to fund an election mailer supporting Governor-Elect Wolf, following a public apology last month for the mailer’s…
Media
Read More: PSEA Admits Using Dues for PoliticsEducation
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low Expectations
Is it true that schools with high concentrations of low-income students face unique challenges? Yes. Should poverty, along with several other social problems, be understood as a factor that influences…
Media
Read More: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low ExpectationsEducation
Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform
From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…
Commentary
Read More: Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to ReformPublic Union Democracy
Why Corbett Missed the National Wave
Why did voters strongly reject Gov. Corbett’s re-election bid by double digit margins in favor of Tom Wolf—a candidate promising higher taxes on the “rich” and more spending on public…
Commentary
Read More: Why Corbett Missed the National WavePublic Union Democracy
Why we Need Paycheck Protection Now
Today, Commonwealth Foundation released a new summary of election-related spending by Pennsylvania’s government unions. In 2014, the seven largest government unions in the state gave $7.3 million directly to…
Media
Read More: Why we Need Paycheck Protection NowPublic Union Democracy
Millions Spent on Election at Taxpayers’ and Union Members’ Expense
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Four Top Donors to Wolf Campaign Were Gov. Unions Spent a Total of Nearly $9 Million to Choose their…
Press Release
Read More: Millions Spent on Election at Taxpayers’ and Union Members’ Expense