Media

Education

Young Teachers Pay the Price for Pension Politics

• James Paul
• September 15, 2015

The first month of a new school year is an exciting—but stressful—time for school teachers. This is particularly true for young, newly-hired teachers who must quickly acclimate to their students,…

Media

State Budget

Free the Budget Hostages

• Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
• September 15, 2015

This week, lawmakers are expected to vote for a “stop-gap budget”—funding state services and programs for a few months, while continuing to negotiate a budget compromise. Yet, some politicians oppose…

Media

Regulation

The PLCB: Fermented Grape’s Gatekeeper

• September 14, 2015

Last week 90.5 WESA published a story about the PA Preferred Wine Program—a tool designed to help promote Pennsylvania wines. The program allows in-state wine producers to apply for…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Setting the Record Straight on Pensions

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 11, 2015

Government union leaders argue against meaningful pension reform with radical rallying cries like, “Your pension is under attack!” and mounds of other misinformation. Here's a quick fact check on some…

Media

Education

Audio: Budget Impasse Debate

• Jonathan Reginella
• September 10, 2015

With the state budget impasse in its third month, funding for critical things such as education and social services remains in question.  CF’s Elizabeth Stelle spoke with WHYY’s Marty Moss-Coane and opposite…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Union Dues are Used for Politics (and Members Don’t Know It)

• Nathan Benefield
• September 10, 2015

Yesterday's blog post and infographic noted how union dues from Pennsylvania teachers and state workers fund political ads from America Works USA. In response, on both Twitter…

Media

Regulation

Corporate Welfare’s Hazards

• September 9, 2015

State officials often hail the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP or R-Cap) as a tool for “economic development” projects across the commonwealth. The program uses borrowed money—with interest payments financed by taxpayers—to…

Media

How Public Employees are Forced to Fund Attack Ads

• Nathan Benefield
• September 9, 2015

Pennsylvania school teachers and state workers are being forced to fund political attacks—with money collected at taxpayer expense through public payroll systems. Here’s how it works: Last year, 228,291 Pennsylvania…

Media

State Budget

Audio: Is Gov. Wolf Taking Hostages?

• Jonathan Reginella
• September 4, 2015

Gov. Wolf still refuses to back down from his budget demands–which include the largest tax hike in Pennsylvania’s history. Not only would this add an additional $1,425 in taxes on every family of…

Media

State Budget

Tax Hikes Threaten Debbie’s Flower Shop

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 4, 2015

Debbie is a small business owner. She operates Pealer's Flowers with her husband in Camp Hill, and they're worried about Gov. Tom Wolf's tax hikes. Debbie explains: “We're all doing…

Media

Education

A Day in the Life of a Union Dollar

• September 3, 2015

Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com A Day in the Life of a Union Dollar Does Most PSEA Spending Support Teachers? Think Again.   September 3, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—James…

Press Release

Regulation

Audio: Weathering the Budget Impasse

• Jonathan Reginella
• September 2, 2015

Another day passes without a state budget in Pennsylvania, causing panic among public officials who can't pay the bills and among parents who have children attending schools unable to make payroll.  Still, Gov.

Media

Let Harrisburg Know That We Can’t Afford Gov. Wolf’s Taxes!

• September 1, 2015

Budget 2015 Digital Ads Email Form  …

Media

Regulation

Corruption is Spelled P-L-C-B

• September 1, 2015

When it comes to government corruption investigations, Attorney General Kathleen Kane has dominated the conversation this summer. But now, as if seemingly miffed at the spotlight being taken away from…

Media

Education

Pa. Teachers Exit Unions, Reclaim Freedom

• September 1, 2015

Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com Pa. Teachers Exit Unions, Reclaim Freedom Coercive Unionism in Pa. School Districts Drives Teachers to Find Alternatives    September 1, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—On the…

Press Release

It’s Time to Free Pennsylvania Teachers

• Brittney Parker
• September 1, 2015

This op-ed is written by Julie Raab, a teacher in Dauphin County and originally appeared in PennLive on August 30, 2015. After almost 30 years as an elementary…

Media

Regulation

PLCB Once Again Drunk on Scandal

• August 31, 2015

Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com PLCB Once Again Drunk on Scandal  Ethics Charges Latest in String of Corruption   Good evening, Today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB)…

Press Release

Education

Putting Students First in Chester Upland

• James Paul
• August 28, 2015

Although Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent actions have thrown Chester Upland School District into a state of turmoil, local unions in the district are rising above politics and…

Media

Regulation

Ridesharing Freedom En Route to Pennsylvania

• James Paul
• August 28, 2015

Uber and Lyft provide inexpensive rides to customers across the country despite numerous regulatory hurdles—chief among them the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which has previously thwarted the businesses from…

Media

Government Accountability

Too Close for Comfort: Gov. Wolf and SEIU

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 27, 2015

New documents obtained by the Commonwealth Foundation (publicized by the Post-Gazette in a recent story) show a frightening closeness between Gov. Wolf and union leaders, particularly leaders at the SEIU. In…

Media

Education

Audio: Helping Teachers Speak Out

• Jonathan Reginella
• August 27, 2015

Teachers across Pennsylvania are being forced to contribute their hard-earned dollars to partisan politics and organizations they do not agree with. Some brave teachers–such as Linda Misja and…

Media