Media

Taxes & Economy

Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job Loss

• February 14, 2019

In his 2019 budget address, Governor Wolf lamented “too many hardworking people are struggling to get by.” The solution is attracting high-wage jobs and encouraging more Pennsylvanians to gain valuable…

Media

Public Union Democracy

A Nurse Took her Union to Court, and Won

• February 11, 2019

Cheryl Spano Lonis is a hard-working nurse from Hartford, Connecticut, who was trapped in her union for three years. The New England Health Care Employees Union disregarded her multiple…

Media

Education

Struggle for Education Choice in Montana Could Benefit Pa. Students

• February 11, 2019

Montana’s early settlers braved a tough wilderness in search of better lives for their families. Today, Montana families like the Espinozas, Andersons and Schaefers are engaged in another struggle, the…

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Education

How to Make Schools Safer

• February 8, 2019

On January 17, students drew blood at John Harris High School in Harrisburg. Over 30 students fought in the cafeteria during lunch. By the fight’s end kids needed medical…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Four Reasons to Notify Public Workers of Their Rights

• Jessica Barnett
• February 8, 2019

Until recently, public sector employees (such as state and local government workers, teachers, and public safety officers) could be forced to pay hundreds of dollars in “fair share fees” to…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater Prosperity

• February 6, 2019

Keystone Clippers has exceeded expectations. Owner Al Rodriguez is now “ahead of the game” due to last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He has added…

Media

State Budget

Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match Reality

• February 5, 2019

Charles Mitchell, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Wolf’s fifth budget address: What a change four years and nine defeated…

Press Release

State Budget

5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 Budget

• Nathan Benefield
• February 5, 2019

1. Dramatic cost overruns lead to a $86 billion budget.  Gov. Wolf proposed a $34.146 billion General Fund budget and a total operating budget of $85.804 billion.

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Can Criminal Justice Reform Unite America?

• Charles Mitchell
• February 5, 2019

The following op-ed first appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Are partisan division and political bickering unavoidable in American politics? The headlines make it seem so, but it’s not true.

Media

Public Union Democracy

Why There’s “Money in Politics”

• Nathan Benefield
• February 4, 2019

The recent public corruption indictment of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, leader of the IBEW 98 labor union, Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, and a slew of other IBEW leaders shows…

Media

Regulation

New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate Welfare

• Nathan Benefield
• February 4, 2019

Pennsylvania moviegoers who bought tickets for M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass last weekend paid more than the price of the ticket. They paid with their taxes. According to the Department of…

Media

Education

Keep Moving Forward: Philly Students Celebrate Choice

• Marc LeBlond
• February 1, 2019

Last week the nation celebrated school choice, with thousands of student-centered events taking place across the United States. On Wednesday, hundreds of yellow-scarved, sign-bearing students from the Philly area…

Media

Public Union Democracy

PLCB Keeps Employees in the Dark

• February 1, 2019

Less than one year ago, the Supreme Court declared that public sector workers’ constitutional rights to free speech and association came before government unions’ desire to collect fees from those…

Media

Education

Kids Deserve Fair Funding and Choice

• Marc LeBlond
• January 30, 2019

On Jan 23, 2019, Rep. Chris Rabb hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on 100 percent Fair School Funding. Rep. Rabb graciously invited CF to participate. Below are Marc…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Pa. Union Members Sue for the Right to Resign

• Jessica Barnett
• January 25, 2019

No organization should be able to force workers to remain members. Sadly, that’s the reality for thousands of Pennsylvania public sector workers. While the Supreme Court decision in Janus v.

Media

Education

School Choice: Stuck in the Middle (Class)

• Colleen Hroncich
• January 24, 2019

“I fear we’ve become a school for the haves and the have-nots,” one private school leader in Florida worried. What’s happened to those in between? The wealthy can afford to…

Media

Education

Michael Scott Wasn’t the Only Bad Manager in Scranton

• January 23, 2019

It’s been five years since the television show The Office ended, and Scranton is making headlines again. No, not because Michael Scott had an insensitive diversity training, nor because Ryan…

Media

Poll: Support for School Choice Rises, Crosses Partisan & Racial Divide

• January 22, 2019

Two-thirds of likely 2020 voters support school choice policies, according to a nationwide survey released by the American Federation for Children in partnership with the left-leaning polling firm Beck…

Press Release

Regulation

College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About Beer

• January 22, 2019

Anyone hoping to enjoy a cold drink from their favorite brewery this summer should prepare to spend a little more. Beginning July 1, a 6 percent tax will be…

Media

Regulation

How Big is the Pa. State Budget? 17 Million Yoga Rooms

• Nathan Benefield
• January 22, 2019

Much has been made about a yoga and meditation room in the state Capitol—costing taxpayers about $5,000 to furnish. With an annual state budget that could pay for…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of King

• Lenny McAllister
• January 21, 2019

It’s been a shame that we’ve collectively spent so much time this month talking about the wrong King (Rep. Steve King) and views that harken back to our worst…

Media