Media

Government Accountability

Thank You, Friends of Freedom

• Charles Mitchell
• November 23, 2011

Less than two weeks ago, CF announced to our supporters a goal of raising $225,000 by year’s end.  They have already supplied $54,487.76.  Talk about Thanksgiving…I’m thankful!  And if you would…

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Regulation

Green Fiascoes and Boondoggles

• Nathan Benefield
• November 22, 2011

Economist Mark Hendrickson, a member of CF’s Council of Scholars, looks at the failure of government funded “green energy” projects in his latest column for the Center for Vision…

Media

Voucher program would help students

• November 22, 2011

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Sky Darkens for Solar Mandates

• November 21, 2011

HB 1580, which we wrote about previously, would accelerate state mandates for utilities to use solar power as part of their electricity portfolio. A new Energy Association of…

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Public Union Democracy

Right to Work Helps Oklahoma Economy

• Nathan Benefield
• November 21, 2011

A new analysis from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs shows that since the Sooner State passed a right to work law in 2001—allowing all workers to choose whether…

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Education

Our Villainous Plan to Let Parents Choose the Best School for Their Children

• Priya Brannick
• November 18, 2011

If you weren’t aware, Commonwealth Foundation is a sinister cog in a powerful underground organization of folks who support online learning.  An article from The Nation bemoans conservative and libertarian…

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Education

The Lesson of Ohio Might Not Be What You Think

• Charles Mitchell
• November 18, 2011

The Wall Street Journal recently featured a very short, very striking piece on the defeat of much-needed limits on the power of government unions in Ohio.  The conventional wisdom on…

Media

House to Vote Marcellus Impact Fee

• Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
• November 17, 2011

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB 1950 today, which would enact an impact fee on “nonconventional gas wells,” largely aimed at Marcellus Shale gas drilling.

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Education

End Transparency Exemption for Penn State

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 17, 2011

Penn State officials will soon be under a different kind of investigation—an investigation by taxpayers. In the aftermath of the child sexual abuse scandal, Rep. Eugene DePasquale is…

Media

Don’t use revenue for others’ projects

• November 16, 2011

Media Hit

Education

Teacher Evaluation Bill Up for Committee Vote

• Priya Brannick
• November 15, 2011

Reforming Pennsylvania’s teacher evaluation system is an important leg of Gov. Tom Corbett’s education reform agenda, along with school vouchers, charter school reform, and expanding the successful Educational Improvement Tax…

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Education

Is the Education Status Quo a Success?

• Nathan Benefield
• November 15, 2011

Former Gov Ed Rendell was in town today to defend the status quo in education, claiming that more spending has produced great improvements in performance.  Is he looking at…

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Education

Rockin’ Rally to Rescue Kids in Crime-Ridden Schools

• Matthew Brouillette
• November 15, 2011

I’m surprised the Capitol Dome stayed on its foundation this afternoon.  Hundreds of children filled the steps and balconies in the Capitol rotunda to call on the House of…

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Education

Vouchers a Proven Solution

• Nathan Benefield
• November 15, 2011

  Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer featured a letter to the editor I wrote on school choice. Here is my full submission: I was disappointed to see the Inquirer’s…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?

• Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
• November 14, 2011

The Scranton Times-Tribune and the Patriot-News criticize HB 1950 (the natural gas fee proposal) for not taxing gas drillers enough, yet fail to include basic information about…

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Education

Poll: Voters Want Broader School Choice

• Nathan Benefield
• November 14, 2011

A new poll by Pulse Opinion Research, commissioned by Unite PA and the Independence Town Hall Tea Party Association, offers interesting information on public opinion on school choice.

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Education

School Board President Ignores Will of Voters

• Priya Brannick
• November 14, 2011

How’s this for underhanded and nefarious election activity: On Nov. 8, longtime Pennsbury School Board President Gene Dolnick was voted out, but that didn’t stop him from trying to hurry through a…

Media

Disillusioned students learn about libertarian philosophy, theory

• November 13, 2011

Media Hit

Government Accountability

Common Cause: Gas Political Money Can’t Match Unions

• Nathan Benefield
• November 11, 2011

The third or fourth report by Common Cause PA on political spending (campaign contributions and lobbying) by the natural gas industry reveals nothing new. According to Common Cause, the Political…

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Regulation

CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor Privatization

• Nathan Benefield
• November 11, 2011

We had a few questions remaining from audience members following last week’s PolicyCast. In this short video, Priya Abraham and I tackle three questions on proposals to privatize state-run liquor…

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Education

Rep. Ryan Aument & Teacher Evaluations on The BOX

• November 10, 2011

In our newest The BOX Program podcast, State Representative Ryan Aument discusses his role in spearheading education reform in the House with host Matt Brouillette. How would new teacher evaluation…

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