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Public Union Democracy

House Committee Votes to Protect Religious Objectors to Unionism

• May 17, 2016

House Committee Votes to Protect Religious Objectors to Unionism Bill Would End Union Control over Employees’ Charitable Contributions   May 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Most Pennsylvanians take for…

Press Release

Regulation

Liquor Liberty Loophole for DNC

• Nathan Benefield
• May 17, 2016

As Pennsylvania residents and visitors know quite well, our state's liquor laws are outdated. Pennsylvania remains one of only two states where the government completely controls the sale of wine and…

Media

Unions Targeting Vulnerable Pennsylvanians

• Elizabeth Stelle
• May 16, 2016

Dave Smith’s life was turned upside down when Gov. Wolf issued an Executive Order letting the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) with the help of AFSCME (American Federation of…

Media

Taxes & Economy

The $20 Billion Energy Tax

• Elizabeth Stelle
• May 13, 2016

More than ten years after its passage, Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards continue to stunt our economy. The standards cost the state $4 billion annually, according to a study…

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Education

Growing Chorus says “Last-in, First-out” Must Go

• May 12, 2016

Growing Chorus Says “Last-in, First-Out” Must Go To Protect Teachers, Wolf Must Sign Seniority Reform Bill May 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Thousands of Pennsylvania teachers put in extra hours, study…

Press Release

Education

Sugary Drink Tax: Not So Sweet for Philadelphia

• James Paul
• May 11, 2016

Such a believer is Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in universal preschool that he supports a punitive tax on low-income residents to pay for it. During his stint on City…

Media

Cigarette Taxes Aren’t a Budget Fix

• May 10, 2016

Gov. Wolf’s plan to raise taxes by more than $2.7 billion stands little chance of passing the legislature. Indeed, Republican legislative leaders effectively nixed the governor’s proposal last…

Media

Gov. Wolf Threatens Veto, Denying Schools Flexibility they Want

• Nathan Benefield
• May 10, 2016

Yesterday, James wrote about the passage of HB 805—legislation that would protect excellent teachers by using performance, not seniority, as the primary factor in furlough decisions. You can view the…

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Education

Pa. Senate Votes to Protect Great Teachers

• May 9, 2016

Pa. Senate Votes to Protect Great Teachers Gov. Wolf Urged to Sign Bill Ending Archaic Last-In-First-Out Policy May 9, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—In a victory for public school students and…

Press Release

Education

Senate Protects Excellent Teachers, Sends Bill to Wolf

• James Paul
• May 9, 2016

In a crucial victory for both students and teachers, the Protecting Excellent Teachers Act passed the Senate this afternoon with a vote of 26 to 22. HB 805, championed…

Media

Health Care

Free Market Solution Expands Access to Care

• James Paul
• May 5, 2016

Harmful regulations prevent Pennsylvania’s nurse practitioners—highly-trained medical professionals who interpret diagnostic tests, treat chronic conditions, and prescribe medication—from doing what they do best: providing quality health care for patients in…

Media

Regulation

The Consequences of Concentrated Power

• May 4, 2016

We aren't the type of people to begrudge anyone a well-deserved raise. But when it's a $9,000 raise for an inessential position running a government booze monopoly…well, that raises some…

Media

Education

Obama, Wolf at Odds over Charter Schools

• May 4, 2016

Obama, Wolf at Odds over Charter Schools As Obama Recognizes National Charter Schools Week, Wolf Wants to Slash Charter…

Press Release

Education

Tom Wolf vs. Barack Obama on Charters

• James Paul
• May 3, 2016

It’s safe to assume Governor Tom Wolf and President Barack Obama agree on many policy issues. But when it comes to public charter schools, Wolf and Obama are worlds apart.

Media

Public Union Democracy

Pension Debt Grows by Another Billion

• Elizabeth Stelle
• May 3, 2016

Last week the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) announced its total unfunded liability increased from $18.44 billion in 2015 to $18.79 billion. In truth, SERS'…

Media

Education

Making the Most of New Funding Formula

• James Paul
• April 27, 2016

A recent report from ABC 27 asks: “Will lawmakers stick with new education funding formula next year?” At issue is whether Pennsylvania’s student-based formula will be retained in…

Media

State Budget

Middle Class Loses Under Gov. Wolf’s Budget

• April 26, 2016

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released a sober analysis of Gov. Wolf’s 2016-17 budget proposal. It examines the consequences of eight separate tax increases as well as a minimum…

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Education

Budget Complete as Fiscal Code Becomes Law

• James Paul
• April 25, 2016

Late on Friday afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf quietly announced the fiscal code will become law without his signature. This significant development closes the door on a tumultuous year of…

Media

Government Accountability

Tomorrow’s Two Ballot Questions for Every Party

• Elizabeth Stelle
• April 25, 2016

Tomorrow's primary election is largely a partisan affair in which only registered Republicans or Democrats can vote for the presidential nominee and nominees for state office. But there is one…

Media

Taxes & Economy

(Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day!

• Elizabeth Stelle
• April 22, 2016

(Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day! If you thought Tax Day was April 15, think again. Today, April 22, is actually the day by which Pennsylvanians…

Media

Regulation

How Ridesharing Helps the Poor and Disabled

• Nathan Benefield
• April 22, 2016

Earlier this week, I used Uber to get a ride in downtown Philadelphia. Curious, I asked my driver how long he’d been driving for Uber. “Two years,” he told me,…

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