Government Accountability

Legislators Refuse COLA Increase

  • December 8, 2010

Despite the fact that Pennsylvania faces a projected budget deficit of $5 billion, legislators in Harrisburg will receive their annual cost of living adjustment (COLA), aka pay raise. Based…

Media

Read More: Legislators Refuse COLA Increase

State Budget

“Across the Board” Budget Cuts are Lazy Policy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 18, 2010

Gov. Rendell announced that to balance the Pennsylvania state budget — after getting $250 million less from Congress than predicted — he would be ordering cuts of 1.9% “across-the-board,”…

Media

Read More: “Across the Board” Budget Cuts are Lazy Policy

Government Accountability

Lawmakers Call for Public Integrity Commission

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 27, 2010

In the wake of convictions, indictments, and investigations of Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff, several legislators have called for a new Public Integrity Commission. The Commission would replace the current…

Media

Read More: Lawmakers Call for Public Integrity Commission

Government Accountability

A Call For Reform

  • July 17, 2008

HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation joined Sen. Jeff Piccola, Rep. Eugene DePasquale, and several other lawmakers and reform groups in calling for a Special Session to address important legislative…

Press Release

Read More: A Call For Reform

Health Care

Address the Cost of Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 11, 2008

Here is a letter to the editor I sent to the York Daily Record on health care reform: I am responding to a May 4 op-ed by Rep. Eugene…

Media

Read More: Address the Cost of Health Care

Government Accountability

“Per Diems” Add Up

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2008

RocktheCapital has analyzed and released expense reports for one lawmaker, David Argall of Schuykill County, finding that he collected $15,000 in “per diems” (compensation above and beyond salary, ostensibly…

Media

Read More: “Per Diems” Add Up

Government Accountability

Lawmakers Spend Hundreds Of Thousands To See If They Misspent Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 18, 2008

WGAL reports that state lawmakers spent $300,000 (mostly from House Democrats) on legal fees relating to the bonusgate investigation. The headline basically says it all. Props to freshmen Eugene…

Media

Read More: Lawmakers Spend Hundreds Of Thousands To See If They Misspent Money

DePasquale to take on school spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 5, 2007

One lawmaker who seemingly did read our Edifice Complex report is Eugene DePasquale, who is going to propose legislation to “to rein in spending on school construction”. DePasquale…

Media

Read More: DePasquale to take on school spending