Media

Public Union Democracy

Legislation Moves to Enforce Workers’ Rights

• Jessica Barnett
• September 24, 2018

In the first full session day after the landmark Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court decision, the state House Labor Committee passed legislation to protect the rights of public sector…

Media

Public Union Democracy

House Committee Advances Bills Giving Government Workers a Bigger Voice

• September 24, 2018

Today, the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee passed several crucial bills supporting government workers’ constitutional rights. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that…

Press Release

Criminal Justice Reform

Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life Sentences

• September 21, 2018

In this second blog in our Safe and Smart series, we tackle Pennsylvania’s practice of sentencing offenders to life without parole (LWOP). LWOP is coming under greater scrutiny from people across the…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Philadelphia Forced to Reform Unjust Confiscation

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 21, 2018

Four years ago we told you the story of Markela and Chris Sourovelis, Philadelphians who lost their home when their son committed a minor drug crime thanks to an…

Media

Education

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

• Colleen Hroncich
• September 18, 2018

It’s rare to see kids voluntarily give up their Saturday to work. But that’s exactly what my 12- and 14-year old daughters—along with a dozen other kids—did at the recent…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Lawmakers Can Stand Up for Home Care Workers

• September 18, 2018

In early 2015 Governor Wolf issued an executive order unionizing home care workers throughout Pennsylvania, many of whom care for their own relatives. The state Supreme Court recently upheld the order. By…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System

• September 13, 2018

CF’s newest policy brief, Safer Communities, Smarter Spending, provides a unique look at the problems in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. The commonwealth’s incarceration rate is too high. Its supervision…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Where Are Americans Moving?

• September 12, 2018

Millions of people move throughout the United States each year. Some make a home on the next street over. Others move across the country. This is a normal and healthy…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Time to Shed Light on New Workers’ Rights

• Charles Mitchell
• September 11, 2018

This Labor Day marks ten weeks since the Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that government employees should not be forced to pay a union or risk losing their…

Media

Education

More is Not Always Better

• Marc LeBlond
• September 10, 2018

In the ongoing school funding case, William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education, several school districts are suing the state on the grounds that Pennsylvania has…

Media

Work Requirements on Tap in Washington and Harrisburg

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 7, 2018

At the end of this month, the federal farm bill expires. Its replacement—a monolithic piece of legislation—is the subject of significant controversy over strengthening food stamp work requirements for healthy…

Media

Taxes & Economy

How Pennsylvania Can Transform Its Tax Code

• September 6, 2018

Pennsylvania’s state and local tax structure is an illogical patchwork of punitive and nuisance taxes, administrative inefficiencies, and special interest carveouts. A new report from the Tax Foundation highlights…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Worker Empowerment Begins with Choice

• Jessica Barnett
• September 5, 2018

As Pennsylvanians return to work following Labor Day celebrations, it’s an appropriate time to ask: what does a fair, employee-focused workplace look like? It shouldn’t involve blocking workers’ ability to…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Four Teachers Finally Gain Control Over their Paycheck

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 4, 2018

Jane Ladley retired from teaching three years ago, but until two weeks ago the teachers union held part of her pay in escrow. Jane was a religious objector to…

Media

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• August 30, 2018

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Regulation

Gov. Wolf’s Unfair Demands Will Hinder the Economy

• Gordon Tomb
• August 29, 2018

The Wolf administration is once again attempting to impose excessive costs on the gas industry—and consumers—by proposing triple-digit-percentage increases in fees for authorizing well development. Pennsylvania charges more for…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Criminal Justice Reform Should Reflect People’s Willingness to Change

• August 29, 2018

My dad is one of the hardest working people I know. When I was younger, I used to stay up so late playing video games that I would still be…

Media

Taxes & Economy

The Unmistakable Merits of Tax Reform

• August 29, 2018

Later today, Rep. Seth Grove and the York County House Delegation will host a legislative forum on the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed late last year.

Media

Public Union Democracy

Survey: Majority of Government Union Members Approve of Janus Decision

• August 28, 2018

A majority of government workers agree with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision, according to a nationwide survey released last week. The survey of government union…

Press Release

Education

Safe Schools and School Choice

• Marc LeBlond
• August 24, 2018

It’s back-to-school time. For parents, sending children into someone else’s care can be bittersweet. We want our kids to experience the wonder of learning and the joy of play. But…

Media

Guest Post: Pa. Government Workers Need a Voice

• August 23, 2018

I love reading the Commonwealth Foundation’s take on policies that will benefit Pennsylvania. It’s not about abstract beliefs. It’s because the Commonwealth Foundation and I see eye-to-eye on the one…

Media