Government Accountability

Wolf’s Multi-Million Dollar Conflict of Interest

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2015

Governor-elect Tom Wolf has come out of the gate leading a charge for ethics reform in government. But if accepting a small gift creates a conflict of interest, the gov.-elect…

Commentary

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Education

Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting For

  • January 8, 2015

As a teacher, a father of kids in public schools, and a taxpayer, I urge all our elected officials to join me in standing up for what’s right. Pass a…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

PSEA Admits Using Dues for Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 29, 2014

The Pennsylvania State Education Association admitted using union members’ dues, via a “SuperPAC,” to fund an election mailer supporting Governor-Elect Wolf, following a public apology last month for the mailer’s…

Media

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Education

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low Expectations

  • James Paul
  • December 19, 2014

Is it true that schools with high concentrations of low-income students face unique challenges? Yes. Should poverty, along with several other social problems, be understood as a factor that influences…

Media

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Mary’s Law: Protecting Teachers and Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 12, 2014

“Mary’s Law,” new legislation that will soon be introduced by State Senators John Eichelberger and Gene Yaw—along with 10 other senators—would end the taxpayer-funded collection of political money. Update:…

Media

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Teacher Pays for Politics She Never Supported

  • Priya Brannick
  • December 1, 2014

Just four days before the November mid-term elections, college professor Mary Trometter got a letter from her teachers union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Well, to be precise—Trometter's husband got…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Why we Need Paycheck Protection Now

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 19, 2014

Today, Commonwealth Foundation released a new summary of election-related spending by Pennsylvania’s government unions. In 2014, the seven largest government unions in the state gave $7.3 million directly to…

Media

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