Government Accountability

PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!

  • November 1, 2013

This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its annual report. In case reading a 56-page government document isn’t in your weekend plans, here are my notes: Their stated…

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Health Care

“Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 31, 2013

In trying to persuade states to expand Medicaid, Obamacare advocates are using enough scare tactics to fill a haunted house. From threatening to discontinue Gross Receipt taxes to…

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Read More: “Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt

NEA Funding of Radical Groups Prompted my Resignation

  • October 31, 2013

I left my teachers union because I was against the forced funding of political groups that go against my personal beliefs. The NEA/PSEA’s agendas and political ideals are counter to…

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Education

The Lost Year: How Seniority Harms Teachers and Kids

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 29, 2013

Rep. Vanessa Brown (D-Phila.) knows what it’s like to lose a good school teacher. For her son, it was nearly a matter of life and death. For years, Brown has…

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Regulation

Liquor Privatization Saves Lives? Part II

  • October 28, 2013

Public safety improved in Washington state after liquor store privatization, we told you back in July. As further data comes in, the results continue to impress: Most state alcohol-related…

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Read More: Liquor Privatization Saves Lives? Part II

Education

Cyber School Centers Embrace Community Values

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 24, 2013

Cyber schools have been falsely maligned as impersonal and anti-social environments for learning, but the truth is far different. Case in point: Achievement House Cyber Charter School is bringing blended…

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Teachers on Union Exploitation, Podcast Part 1

  • October 24, 2013

Julie Raab and Keith Williams are speaking out about how union influence affects their teaching jobs.    Keith teaches high school English in Conewago Valley School District in Adams…

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Read More: Teachers on Union Exploitation, Podcast Part 1

Health Care

I Can’t Keep My Health Care Plan

  • October 23, 2013

“If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.” That was President Obama’s promise to Americans. He broke it. I buy my own health insurance—I…

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Education

Podcast: Teachers on Union Exploitation – Part 2

  • October 22, 2013

Julie Raab and Keith Williams are speaking out about how union influence affects their teaching jobs.  They, and many teachers across the state, are fed up with Pennsylvania’s unfair…

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Read More: Podcast: Teachers on Union Exploitation – Part 2

Education

Voters Support Education Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2013

Pennsylvania parents and voters want education reform. A new poll from StudentsFirst shows that Pennsylvania families strongly support educational reforms, including incentives for high performing teachers (74 percent support),…

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Public Union Democracy

Time to End Union Violence

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 21, 2013

Did you know that it’s illegal to stalk, harass, or threaten to use violence (and yes, weapons of mass destruction) in Pennsylvania…except if you’re a labor union (or management) in…

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Taxes & Economy

Unions, Democrats Link Transportation to Philly Schools Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2013

For months, state capitol pundits have complained about a “linkage” between votes on transportation funding and liquor store privatization. Indeed, government unions lobbied with taxpayer resources to try to…

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Public Union Democracy

Unions Fight to Block $40 Million in Taxpayer Savings

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 18, 2013

Pennsylvania legislative leaders continue discussions over increasing transportation funding. In return for higher spending, some negotiators are seeking modest, common sense reforms to the prevailing wage law. These reforms would…

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Read More: Unions Fight to Block $40 Million in Taxpayer Savings