Op-Ed: Dissecting Pennsylvania’s Realignment

  • Charles F. McElwee
  • November 10, 2020

In Pennsylvania, Biden prevailed because enough voters in rural counties, working-class regions, and suburban towns found him inoffensive, if not appealing, during a turbulent period. Outside Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, this…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Gov. Unions: Pennsylvania’s Biggest Political Spenders

  • Jessica Barnett
  • April 29, 2019

We all know that government unions are big players in American politics. However, new research gives us some perspective on just how big they play. According to an analysis by…

Media

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Time to End Special Interest Loophole

  • April 27, 2017

Because of a legal carveout for special interests, Pennsylvania has been mixing public resources and politics for years. But that carveout could soon end.

Commentary

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Time to End Special Interest Loophole

  • Jessica Barnett
  • April 27, 2017

Because of a legal carveout for special interests, Pennsylvania has been mixing public resources and politics for years. But that carveout could soon end.

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Op-Ed: Time to End Special-Interest Loophole

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 24, 2017

Subverting public resources for political gain will not be tolerated. Except when it is. Pennsylvania government regularly collects and distributes tens of millions of dollars earmarked for politics on behalf of…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Teachers’ Union Deceives on Dues Donations

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 15, 2016

Last week, the Commonwealth Court ordered the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to investigate Mary Trometter's allegation that the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) used her union dues to support Tom Wolf's run…

Media

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Government Accountability

A Superhero President? Dream On

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 13, 2016

Note: This commentary appeared in the Lancaster LNP, among other news outlets. If the thought of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in the Oval Office frightens you, you’re not…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Book Review: Liberal Fascism

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 4, 2010

I finally got around to finishing Jonah Goldberg’s 2007 tome, Liberal Fascism, a compelling and important read. Goldberg both attempts to make the case that fascism has always been…

Media

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Health Care

Whoops, We Were Wrong…

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 9, 2009

One of our goals at the Commonwealth Foundation is to predict the effect of proposed public policies.  Most of the time, we are proven correct, and humbly announce, "We told…

Commentary

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