Public Union Democracy
Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025
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
Read More: Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025Public Union Democracy
Full Court Press: Pennsylvania Union Political Spending in 2025
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
Read More: Full Court Press: Pennsylvania Union Political Spending in 2025Public Union Democracy
Union Political Spending Heavily Targeted Pennsylvania during 2024 Election
Harrisburg, Pa., December 8, 2025 — Government unions steered $12.8 million to influence elections in Pennsylvania during the 2023-24 election cycle. Pennsylvania was the 5th highest recipient of union dollars,…
Press Release
Read More: Union Political Spending Heavily Targeted Pennsylvania during 2024 Election
Raining on Shapiro’s Rainy Day Fund Raid
Here’s the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania. Can the ‘Rainy Day Fund’ Balance the Budget? Pennsylvania’s emergency savings account, contrary to…
Blog
Read More: Raining on Shapiro’s Rainy Day Fund RaidGovernment Accountability
Myth-Busting SEPTA
For the Pennsylvania state budget, mass transit funding is all the rage these days—literally. The primary debate in Harrisburg revolves around the question of whether to send more state dollars…
Blog
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Government Unions Spent $33 Million in Recent Pennsylvania Elections
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
Read More: Government Unions Spent $33 Million in Recent Pennsylvania ElectionsPublic Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election Cycle
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
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election CycleEducation
Pa. Senate Committee Advances Lifeline Scholarships for Students in Failing Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., May 7, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee advanced Senate Bill (SB) 795, a bill to establish Lifeline Scholarships for children in failing schools. Sponsored by state…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Senate Committee Advances Lifeline Scholarships for Students in Failing SchoolsPublic Union Democracy
Government Union PAC Spending in 2023
Summary Pennsylvania government union political action committees (PACs) spent $5.6 million in 2023, a record high for an odd-year election where there is not a presidential or midterm election. Of…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Government Union PAC Spending in 2023