Media

Government Accountability

Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack Ads

• Nathan Benefield
• November 2, 2015

Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform—a new “SuperPAC” (technically an “Independent Expenditure Committee”) registered in August—has spent about $2.5 million on attack ads in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race. Who…

Media

Meet the Most Controversial Teacher in America

• Brittney Parker
• November 2, 2015

Rebecca Friedrichs is no stranger to controversy. A teacher and former union member, her case against the California Teachers Association will be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court…

Media

Education

Sobering Results on The Nation’s Report Card

• James Paul
• November 2, 2015

Over the last quarter century, national education scores in both reading and math have modestly trended upward—until this year. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) recently released its biannual…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence Bill

• November 2, 2015

Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence Bill Governor Has until November 7 to Sign Union Intimidation Bill November 2, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Philadelphia construction executive Sarina…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

The Voluntary Deductions Facade

• October 29, 2015

Paycheck protection detractors defend using taxpayer resources for partisan politics by insisting union members can voluntarily deduct political donations from their paychecks, but this excuse misses the point. Taxpayers aren't offered a choice. They're…

Media

One Teacher Can Make a Difference

• Brittney Parker
• October 29, 2015

This past summer, veteran teacher Rebecca Friedrichs found herself in the limelight. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to take up her case against the California Teachers Association regarding union…

Media

Education

Holding All Schools Hostage

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 29, 2015

Fell Charter Elementary School near Scranton will stop paying teachers next month and the school is considering a four-day week thanks to the state budget stalemate. Fell's announcement is…

Media

Health Care

Obamacare Premiums Rise, Again

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 28, 2015

Mark your calendars (for disappointment)! On November 1 healthcare.gov will launch its third open enrollment season. Here in Pennsylvania, premiums for the second highest silver plan will climb, on average, by 11…

Media

State Budget

Wolf Increasingly Irrelevant in Budget Debate

• October 28, 2015

Wolf Increasingly Irrelevant in Budget Debate Veto Override Attempt Shows Gov’s Grip Slipping October 28, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state Senate attempted to send schools much-needed funding by overriding…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

Justice for All

• October 28, 2015

Sarina Rose counted on the justice system to punish the person who harassed her during a labor dispute. The system let her down. The Philadelphia Inquirer covered her ordeal…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Ball in Wolf’s Court to End Union Violence Loophole

• October 27, 2015

Ball in Wolf's Court to End Union Violence Loophole Stalking, Harassment, Threats Currently Legal in Labor Disputes October 27, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Stalking, harassment, and personal threats…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court Race

• October 27, 2015

Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court Race Public Resources Used for Campaign Politics October 27, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Government union leaders are free to back their…

Press Release

Government Accountability

A Revolving Door of Corruption

• James Paul
• October 26, 2015

The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…

Media

Corporate Welfare Fails Again

• October 26, 2015

Two stories published in the past week offer perfect examples of questionable returns from economic development spending, otherwise known as corporate welfare. In the first story, Keystone Crossroads examined…

Media

Five Ways Gov. Wolf is Sustaining the Status Quo

• Nathan Benefield
• October 26, 2015

During his budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf said “It's not good enough to just say no and continue with the same old same old.” More recently, taking to social media,…

Media

State Budget

Lawmakers Move to Protect Posterity

• October 23, 2015

The State House recently passed two bills designed to chip away at the commonwealth’s mountain of debt—12th highest among states as recently as 2012, and only growing since. The…

Media

State Budget

Wolf’s Good Cop, Bad Cop Act

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 23, 2015

During 100-plus days of the state budget impasse, Gov. Wolf’s words and actions have been consistently inconsistent, leaving taxpayers and lawmakers confused. Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matt Brouillette noted,…

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Audio: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

• Jonathan Reginella
• October 22, 2015

In Pennsylvania, civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement agents to legally seize property without convicting an individual of a crime. These laws turn justice on its head, allowing police…

Media

State Budget

Wolf’s ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop’ Act: Which Governor Will Show up Today?

• October 22, 2015

Wolf’s ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop’ Act: Which Governor Will Show up Today? Contradictory Rhetoric Derailing Budget Progress October 22, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—During 100-plus days of the state budget…

Press Release

Education

Audio: Wolf’s Budget Tactics Harm Students

• Jonathan Reginella
• October 21, 2015

Pennsylvania is home to several innovative education programs, including the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which provides a path to a great education for low income students. CF’s James…

Media

Government Accountability

Three Reforms that Transcend Party Lines

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 21, 2015

Budget gridlock is hamstringing Harrisburg, but when it comes to transparency and accountability, a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians support three key reforms. Paycheck protection, transparency in government union contract negotiations,…

Media