Public Union Democracy

Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election Cycle

  • Andrew Holman
  • April 15, 2025

Key Points Government unions enjoy a host of special legal privileges in Pennsylvania, which allow their executives to exert undue influence over Pennsylvania’s public policy process. Government union bosses use…

Backgrounder

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Government Accountability

Election Reform in Pennsylvania

  • November 25, 2024

Summary Ahead of the 2020 election, Pennsylvania allowed no-excuse mail-in voting for the first time. Officials overwhelmed with millions of ballot requests, last-minute state guidance, and litigation resulted in delayed…

Fact Sheet

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Public Union Democracy

The Battle for Worker Freedom: Grading State Public Sector Labor Laws

  • Andrew Holman, David Osborne
  • August 28, 2024

Key Findings The four largest government unions—American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Education Association (NEA), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU)—lost…

Executive Summary

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Public Union Democracy

HB 950: A Power Grab for Union Executives at the Expense of Workers

  • May 1, 2023

Summary House Bill 950 proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution creating a “fundamental right to organize and bargain collectively” for both private and public sector employees.[1]The…

Fact Sheet

Read More: HB 950: A Power Grab for Union Executives at the Expense of Workers

Government Accountability

Voter ID Constitutional Amendment

  • January 16, 2023

Key Points Voter ID requirements improve election integrity, while voter turnout increases, without impacting election outcomes.Pennsylvania voters support Voter ID requirements by a wide margin, with support across all regions…

Backgrounder

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Steps to Enhance Election Integrity

  • June 2, 2021

In 2020, Pennsylvania’s newly amended election law struggled under unprecedented mail-in voting. In addition, last-minute state guidance and judicial decisions skirted state election law, further delaying results and causing confusion.

Fact Sheet

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First Popular Referendum Against State Executive Overreach Succeeds

  • Michael Torres
  • May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021, Harrisburg, Pa. — Voters in Pennsylvania have enacted two constitutional amendments that will limit a governor’s emergency powers in the first such popular referendum in the country,…

Press Release

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Steps to Enhance Election Integrity

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 10, 2021

In 2020, Pennsylvania’s newly amended election law struggled under unprecedented mail-in voting, yet last minute state guidance and judicial decisions not only skirted election law, but further delayed results and…

Fact Sheet

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Government Accountability

The Janus Impact and Grading of State Public Sector Labor Laws

  • Priya Brannick
  • August 28, 2019

In the Janus aftermath, pro-union forces make legislative headway counteracting the court decision, while workers push back in the courts. This report details the trends, and grades each state according to…

Report

Read More: The Janus Impact and Grading of State Public Sector Labor Laws