Public Union Democracy

Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025

  • April 22, 2026

Harrisburg, Pa., April 22, 2026 — Despite 2025 being an off-year election, Pennsylvania still saw heavy political spending by unions, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. The…

Press Release

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Public Union Democracy

Full Court Press: Pennsylvania Union Political Spending in 2025

  • David Osborne
  • April 21, 2026

Key Points Political action committees (PACs) affiliated with trade unions and government unions spent $22.4 million in monetary and in-kind political activity in 2025, a year with few legislative elections…

Backgrounder

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Public Union Democracy

Government Unions Spent $33 Million in Recent Pennsylvania Elections

  • April 22, 2025

When it comes to politics, government unions are big spenders—and they overwhelmingly favor one side of the political spectrum. In Pennsylvania, unions representing public sector workers spent millions of membership…

Blog

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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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Public Union Democracy

The Battle for Worker Freedom: How Government Unions Fund Politics

  • Andrew Holman, David Osborne
  • December 4, 2023

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

Executive Summary

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Conservative Donors Failed to Show Up in the 2023 Elections

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 17, 2023

Originally published in the Wall Street Journal Once critics of the supposedly malign influence of money in politics, the progressive left proved to be big spenders in November’s elections.

Media Hit

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Public Union Democracy

Gov. Shapiro should represent workers over powerful campaign donors

  • Andrew Holman
  • March 28, 2023

Originally published in The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro frequently touts his commitment to “real freedom.” But delivering that freedom to all Pennsylvanians depends on whether he chooses to side…

Media Hit

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