Government Accountability

Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 Billion

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 13, 2019

How much is the cost of doing business with Pennsylvania state government unions? For the most recent round of contract negotiations, an additional $1.15 billion over the next four years.

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Regulation

Government-Run Booze Losing Across the Nation: Will Pa. be Next?

  • July 18, 2019

The Supreme Court delivered several high-profile rulings this summer on issues including partisan gerrymandering and the census citizenship question. A lesser-known case, Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association v. Thomas, will also…

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Read More: Government-Run Booze Losing Across the Nation: Will Pa. be Next?

Government Accountability

A Look Inside New Government Union Contracts

  • Jessica Barnett
  • July 10, 2019

Government union leaders recently reached multi-year contract agreement with the Wolf Administration, including 18% compensation increases over four years. Even though taxpayers foot the bill, they are still waiting to know…

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Government Accountability

Transparency Deferred During Union Contract Negotiations

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 3, 2019

Public dollars, secrecy, and politics should never mix. Yet, it’s a disturbingly common practice in Pennsylvania as public officials negotiate costly government employee contracts with their campaign donors—behind closed…

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Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Agree: Workers Should Know their Choices

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 1, 2019

We recently highlighted our concerns that, in the name of “neutrality,” Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Chairman Tim Holden rejected a proposal to inform state liquor store workers of…

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Public Union Democracy

Three Ways Lawmakers are Expanding Worker Rights

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 13, 2018

Over the last two years, Pennsylvania lawmakers have taken great effort to improve our state’s labor laws to protect workers’ basic rights. However, as brave public servants like Greg Hartnett, an…

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Public Union Democracy

Reading Schools Stop Paying Ghost Teachers

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 10, 2018

Since 2011, Reading taxpayers have spent over $500,000 subsidizing the salaries of local teachers’ union officials. Finally, this unfair arrangement will end. In a practice known as “ghost teaching,”…

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Government Accountability

The Call for Contract Transparency Continues

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 30, 2018

An ABC27 special investigation asks a simple question: “Would you pay a bill before you saw it?” Most people would answer with a resounding no. Yet, as the report highlights, that’s exactly…

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Read More: The Call for Contract Transparency Continues