Government Accountability

Spending Transparency & Accountability

  • December 3, 2009

There is a national movement to make government spending and finances accessible to taxpayers. Pennsylvania lags behind, but state lawmakers are moving toward greater transparency.

Fact Sheet

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Public Union Democracy

Legal Plunder At Its Worst

  • November 23, 2009

Let’s see how many dirty political games you can fit into one case – from union thuggery to corporate welfare, to rent-seeking to holding taxpayers and employees hostage – the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Alternative Energy Mandates

  • November 18, 2009

Pennsylvania law requires utility companies to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from alternative sources in future years. Proposed legislation would increase this percentage and require new carbon sequestration…

Fact Sheet

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Government Accountability

Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2009

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner issued a scathing rebuke of the Rendell administration’s use of no-bid contracts, specifically in relation to over a half-billion dollars given to Deloitte for…

Media

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Regulation

WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink

  • October 20, 2009

Despite the numerous studies concluding subsidized sport arenas provide little to no overall economic benefits to communities – Allentown is getting a minor league hockey rink built with at least …

Media

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State Budget

This is the Budget We Waited For?

  • October 9, 2009

Plan taxes too much, spends too much, and fails to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity Harrisburg, PA – With state budget impasse finally over, Commonwealth Foundation President Matthew…

Press Release

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Regulation

More Info on What WAMS are in PA Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2009

The news service Capitolwire (subscription) has new information about the debate on WAMs in the budget, including a secret memo – disclaimed by all sides – explaining which…

Media

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State Budget

House Democrats Help Identify More WAMs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2009

PA House Democrat leader Todd Eachus and Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans sent a letter to Gov. Rendell decrying the inclusion of $12 million in WAMs in the latest Senate…

Media

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Regulation

Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2009

There have been countless examples of failed corporate welfare under Governor Rendell, and Governor Ridge before him. The latest example coming from Lebanon, PA: Lebanon Daily News, August 14,…

Media

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