Public Union Democracy

Unions Must Answer for Pension Hypocrisy

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 8, 2015

Would you believe the most vocal opponents to public pension reform—Pennsylvania’s largest government unions—have actually implemented the very kind of reform they are fighting against?…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Wolf’s ‘My Way or the Highway’ Approach Blocks Progress

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • July 7, 2015

In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf urged dissenters, “If you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It's not good…

Commentary

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State Budget

Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending Plan

  • March 10, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a budget with a spending rate clocking in at a blistering $1,000 per second. That means in the time it takes you to read this…

Commentary

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Education

Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…

Commentary

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State Budget

Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2014

Last week, two major bond rating agencies (Fitch and Standards & Poor’s) downgraded Pennsylvania’s debt rating citing poor fiscal health. While this should worry voters—taxpayers will be forced to pay…

Commentary

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Education

Misconceptions Cloud School Funding Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 9, 2014

Would you believe that nearly three-quarters of Pennsylvania’s voters underestimate how much money we spend on schools? Shocking but true, according to a new poll testing the public’s knowledge of…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Consensus Growing on Paycheck Protection

  • January 31, 2014

Earlier this week, we spotlighted editorials from the Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily urging Pennsylvania to pass paycheck protection legislation. While national attention raises awareness of this…

Media

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Education

Are Cyber School Students Second-Class Citizens?

  • August 30, 2013

Editor’s Note: Jake Swink is a summer intern at Commonwealth Foundation and, starting in September, will be an active duty 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force specializing in cyber…

Media

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Education

Student Pleads to Preserve Cyber Schools

  • April 29, 2013

Applause to Brianna Shinn, a ninth-grade student who wrote a letter to the editor of the Bucks County Courier Times. Brianna is thriving at Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School and…

Media

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