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Fairness
New Analysis Reveals Striking Partisanship of Government Union Spending
Government unions spent more than $33 million on political causes and only 5.2 percent of PAC contributions went to non-Democratic candidates. Harrisburg, Pa., April 16, 2025 — Government unions…
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Prosperity
Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue Projections
Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue Projections
Education
Senate Republicans School Shapiro Administration, Stand up for Students and Taxpayers
Read More: Senate Republicans School Shapiro Administration, Stand up for Students and Taxpayers
Commonwealth Foundation Announces Promotion of Elizabeth Stelle to Vice President of Policy
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Announces Promotion of Elizabeth Stelle to Vice President of PolicyEducation
The Need for Charter Schools
For 133,000 children across Pennsylvania, charter schools do more than provide an education. Charter schools provide an alternative for kids whose needs aren't met in district schools—they…
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Read More: The Need for Charter SchoolsCriminal Justice Reform
A Victory for Fairness and Work
The General Assembly overwhelming passed House Bill 163 last night—an important win for people who believe in fair punishments and work as a means to independence. The legislation,…
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Read More: A Victory for Fairness and WorkHealth Care
Pa. Legislature Sends Landmark Anti-Poverty Reform to Gov. Wolf
October 17, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the Pennsylvania Legislature sent a landmark anti-poverty bill to Governor Wolf’s desk. HB 2138 will help healthy, childless adults enrolled in Medicaid move from…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Legislature Sends Landmark Anti-Poverty Reform to Gov. WolfRegulation
Corporate Welfare: A Bad Deal for Pennsylvanians
Hanover company WNS closed its doors for good at the end of September, putting 107 men and women out of work. This news comes just two years after Governor…
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Read More: Corporate Welfare: A Bad Deal for PennsylvaniansCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania’s Financial Condition? Critical
Despite what you may have heard, Pennsylvania’s fiscal troubles haven’t disappeared. The recent state budget did not address the commonwealth’s short- or long-term financial challenges. It merely papered over them.
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Read More: Pennsylvania’s Financial Condition? CriticalWelfare
Welfare Reform is On the Cusp
Major welfare reform is nearing the governor’s desk. Three bills, two in the Senate and one in House, contain significant improvements to our human service programs. SB 6 protects…
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Read More: Welfare Reform is On the CuspPublic Union Democracy
Crucial Janus Legislation Deferred
To enact important reforms before the end of legislative session, Pennsylvania lawmakers must run bills on a tight schedule. Unfortunately, on Wednesday House leadership removed a Janus enforcement bill (HB 2571) from consideration—meaning…
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Read More: Crucial Janus Legislation DeferredCriminal Justice Reform
Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ Potential
Pennsylvania’s poverty rate remains far too high. Employers can’t find workers with technical skills, and the commonwealth continues to lead the northeast in incarcerating our citizens. One organization is…
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Read More: Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ PotentialEducation
Applying to a Philly Charter School Just Got Easier
For many families, navigating a mystifying and meandering path through rows and rows of corn stalks has become a favorite fall tradition. Often—especially for the more adventurous kids—getting lost in…
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Read More: Applying to a Philly Charter School Just Got EasierPublic Union Democracy
Top 10 Recipients of Government Union PAC Contributions
Government unions have spent more than $120 million since 2007 to advance their fiercely partisan and political agenda. As the graphic below shows, Democratic candidates receive the most direct PAC donations from…
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Read More: Top 10 Recipients of Government Union PAC ContributionsEducation
School Choice: Diverse Options for Diverse Families
The Long and Winding Road. In addition to being a great song by the Beatles, this phrase sums up my family’s educational journey. My children spent time in a local…
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Read More: School Choice: Diverse Options for Diverse FamiliesPublic Union Democracy
Top 5 Reasons to Support HB 2571
HB 2571 is a commonsense reform that benefits public sector workers and aligns Pennsylvania law with the U.S. Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision. Here are five reasons it must…
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Read More: Top 5 Reasons to Support HB 2571Education
Unions and their Impact on Teachers
Conventional wisdom tells us unions are good for teachers. But is this true? While teachers’ unions have certainly benefited union leadership, rank and file teachers should carefully evaluate the…
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Read More: Unions and their Impact on TeachersPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions ?’All-In’ for Wolf, Give Over $10 Million in Political Support
Pennsylvania’s government unions have crossed the $10 million mark in political support for Gov. Tom Wolf, according to a Commonwealth Foundation analysis of the latest campaign filings. Since 2013, government…
Press Release
Read More: Government Unions ?’All-In’ for Wolf, Give Over $10 Million in Political SupportEducation
Education Funding Principles
With mid-term elections nearing, both candidates for governor are wrestling with how to create a better education system, including a more equitable funding system. Here are five principles any education…
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Read More: Education Funding PrinciplesTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Tax Climate Remains a Burden
The commonwealth’s business tax climate is chilling. A report from the Tax Foundation ranks Pennsylvania on a variety of key taxes, putting the state at 34th overall. On corporate income taxes,…
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Read More: Pennsylvania’s Tax Climate Remains a BurdenPublic Union Democracy
Who Benefits from Union Political Spending?
From teachers’ strikes to the significant U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, government unions catapulted into the national spotlight this year. Yet union direct political engagement has remained strong for…
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Read More: Who Benefits from Union Political Spending?Public Union Democracy
Lawmakers Must Prioritize Pro-Worker Legislation
With a few session days left, lawmakers must prioritize legislation to align state law with federal law and tell workers their rights. HB 2571 enforces the U.S. Supreme Court decision…
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Read More: Lawmakers Must Prioritize Pro-Worker LegislationPublic Union Democracy
Enforcing Janus
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME is a landmark decision for public sector workers—yet is not self-enforcing. It's time for Pennsylvania lawmakers to defend public sector employees' new-found rights…
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Back-to-School Disappointment for Thousands
Thousands of kids across Pennsylvania are finishing up their first month of school. For many of them, the beginning of the school year is an exciting chance to catch up with…
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Safe and Smart: Tearing Down Obstacles to Work
What does Pennsylvania gain from putting up more barriers to work for people getting out of prison? Making the comeback from a criminal conviction to rejoining the community is hard…
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