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

AFSCME Memo Lies About Dues & Politics

  • June 17, 2014

Some union leaders are bullying their members to support their political agenda. Don’t believe me? Read this: Each fair share fee payer is a sign of weakness. It tells…

Media

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Regulation

Union Lobbyists Not Interested in Solving Pension Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 13, 2014

My latest letter to the editor in the Phoenix Reporter and Item corrects the record, noting that government union leaders have for years denied a pension crisis, supported underfunded pensions for…

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

Gov. Unions Play Fast & Loose with the Law

  • May 13, 2014

They’re exempt from stalking and harassment laws during labor disputes, and they’re allowed to use taxpayer resources to collect money for candidates and political ads on a daily…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Top 5 Reasons We Need a Paycheck Protection Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 12, 2014

Occasionally I get asked why we need a state law preventing taxpayer resources from being used to collect union political money (“paycheck protection“), when local government can choose to…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Severance Tax Benefits the Powerful at Citizens’ Expense

  • Gordon Tomb
  • May 6, 2014

Washington County farmer Shawn Georgetti was living paycheck to paycheck before the Marcellus Shale boom. Thanks to a natural gas lease, he’s finally been able to upgrade his 30-year-old equipment.

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Government Unions’ Political Power Grows

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 11, 2014

Despite claims that union dues aren’t used for politics, the amount Pennsylvania’s five largest government unions reported spending from union dues on “political activities and lobbying” increased in…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Government Unions’ Political Spending

  • April 8, 2014

Currently, state and local governments, including school districts, use taxpayer-funded payroll systems and public employee time to collect union campaign contributions to candidates as well as union membership dues, a…

Fact Sheet

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