Fairness
Unions at a Crossroads: Democracy, Transparency, and Bridging Divides
Jake Altman, author of Socialism before Sanders, joins Disunion: The Government Union Report podcast host David R. Osborne to discuss labor unions and their challenges. Altman, a former union leader,…
Read More: Unions at a Crossroads: Democracy, Transparency, and Bridging DividesCompulsory 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.
Government 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’ ExpenseGovernment Accountability
Government Unions’ Political Spending Dwarfs Natural Gas
A rehashed report from Common Cause PA and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania assert that Marcellus Shale drillers spent $8 million on campaign contributions and $41 million on lobbying in…
Media
Read More: Government Unions’ Political Spending Dwarfs Natural GasEducation
Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?
The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…
Commentary
Read More: Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?Government Accountability
Audio: Election Lessons
This week a “Republican wave” swept the country and propelled many fiscally conservative governors to reelection. And in Pennsylvania, candidates that ran on pension reform, liquor privatization, choice in education,…
Media
Read More: Audio: Election LessonsPublic Union Democracy
Missing the Wave
Last night, candidates embracing free-market policies not only won legislative seats across Pennsylvania and our country, but in states like Wisconsin, Michigan—and even Illinois—gubernatorial candidates who made the case for…
Media
Read More: Missing the WavePublic Union Democracy
Audio: Teachers & Taxpayers Still Need Paycheck Protection
It’s important to note—especially during election season—that one group of private organizations has an advantage over all others when it comes to funding their political agenda. That group is public…
Media
Read More: Audio: Teachers & Taxpayers Still Need Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
What are Their Priorities?
At at time when teachers are complaining about having to buy school supplies for their students, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) reported spending $3,764,154 from union dues…
Media
Read More: What are Their Priorities?Education
Victory for Student Safety
In an important step for safety in the classroom, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that will put an end to the abhorrent practice of “passing the…
Media
Read More: Victory for Student SafetyPublic Union Democracy
Teachers Pay the Price for their Unions’ Politics
CF recently attended a Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) rally with the goal of bringing our message directly to the teachers and families of Philadelphia. What exactly is our…
Media
Read More: Teachers Pay the Price for their Unions’ PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
Unions Bankroll Candidates on the Backs of Taxpayers
Government unions have not been reluctant to use their exclusive political privilege to finance candidates this election cycle. According to an AP analysis, four of the top ten…
Media
Read More: Unions Bankroll Candidates on the Backs of TaxpayersEducation
Audio: PFT Fails Students, Teachers & the Poor
Matt Brouillette and other members of Commonwealth Foundation were on the ground at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) protest yesterday, handing out fliers and letting teachers know how PFT…
Media
Read More: Audio: PFT Fails Students, Teachers & the PoorEducation
How the PFT Fails Philadelphia
By standing in the way of tens of millions of new dollars for Philadelphia classrooms, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) has revealed its true identity—a self-interested,…
Media
Read More: How the PFT Fails PhiladelphiaEducation
How PFT Fails Philadelphia Students, Teachers & the Poor
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 PFT Leaders Use Students & Teachers as Pawns in a Political Game Leaders Block Millions of Dollars from the…
Press Release
Read More: How PFT Fails Philadelphia Students, Teachers & the Poor