Government Accountability

PA Union Campaign Contributions Exceed $10 Million

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2015

Pennsylvania government unions gave more than $10.5 million to candidates last election cycle. We updated our analysis of union political spending using the latest reports filed with the PA…

Media

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Government Accountability

Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 Election

  • February 11, 2015

The evidence is overwhelming: Unions use members' dues and taxpayer resources to push their political agenda. By passing paycheck protection, Pennsylvania can move toward leveling the political playing field, making…

Memo

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Government Accountability

Government Unions’ Political Spending Dwarfs Natural Gas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2014

A rehashed report from Common Cause PA and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania assert that Marcellus Shale drillers spent $8 million on campaign contributions and $41 million on lobbying in…

Media

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The PFT Fails Philly’s Students and Teachers

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 28, 2014

PFT claims to stand up for the teachers and children of Philadelphia, but the facts show otherwise. It's time to prioritize the needs of students over the union's self-interest. …

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

AFL-CIO Convention Spotlights Dues Spent on Politics

  • June 24, 2014

Yesterday, the House State Government Committee voted in favor of paycheck protection legislation that promises to empower teachers like Bill Frye and John Cress with more control…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Mailbag: How will SuperPACs Affect Pennsylvania?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2014

A PolicyBlog reader asked if we could explain a recent “SuperPAC” ruling we covered in an op-ed back in April, along with its implications for state and national elections.

Media

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Public Union Democracy

The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax Hike

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 11, 2014

In 2012, Americans paid more in taxes than they did for food, clothing and shelter combined. In Pennsylvania, residents labor under the 10th highest tax burden in the…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

For Union Leaders, the Law Doesn’t Apply

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 11, 2014

Pennsylvania's government union executives should be at the top of any list of political power players in Harrisburg. With the kind of influence that millions in campaign contributions and political…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Government Union CEOs Make Their Own Rules

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 15, 2014

When questioned about why he failed to register as a lobbyist, UFCW president Wendell Young IV excused himself with a special exemption from the law that doesn’t exist. He told…

Media

Read More: Government Union CEOs Make Their Own Rules