Staff

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

Education

For Latinos, Education is Key to the American Dream

• Brittney Parker
• October 27, 2015

For many Latino-Americans, the phrase “the American Dream” conjures images of apple pie and béisbol, of education, prosperity, and familia. Education is power and the key to making the American…

Commentary

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

Education

Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the Future

• Nathan Benefield
• October 21, 2015

As 1980s movie buffs know, today—Oct 21, 2015—is the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled forward in time in the Back to the Future films. Back to the Future predicted…

Media

Education

Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School

• October 20, 2015

Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School Ends Abuse of Union Work on School Time in Pittsburgh & Phila.    October 20, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With Halloween quickly…

Press Release

Government Accountability

The Last to Know

• October 20, 2015

Last week the Crestwood Area School Board tentatively agreed to a new contract with the school district’s local union leadership. In keeping with the prevailing trend across the…

Media

State Budget

Moody’s to Pennsylvania: You’re So Negative

• October 19, 2015

The budget impasse is creating more problems for Pennsylvanians with each passing day—already costing taxpayers at least $11 million. Gov. Wolf has been using…

Media