Government Accountability

Government Unions’ Political Power Persists

• July 9, 2014

While labor unions nationwide have been on the defensive for the past few decades—especially in light of pro-worker measures in states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana—Pennsylvania remains a bastion of…

Media

Education

Teachers’ Views Matter

• July 7, 2014

From my vantage point on the frontlines of Pennsylvania’s public schools, I see teachers’ unions with money to spend and power to wield who are unresponsive to the very people…

Commentary

Regulation

Pension Reform Roadblock: Gov. Union Executives

• July 1, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Government Union Executives Again Stand in the Way of Reform Pension Bill Stalls in House Despite Looming Crisis July 1,…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Unions Block Pension Reform

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 1, 2014

Lawmakers may have agreed on a no-new-taxes budget, but the cost drivers behind this year’s budget shortfall and Pennsylvania’s annual budget crisis remain unchanged. Chief among those cost drivers is…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Taxpayer Collection of Union Political Money is Unique

• Nathan Benefield
• June 30, 2014

Paycheck protection opponents claim that other groups, like charities and insurance companies, are allowed to use taxpayer resources for their deductions, just like government unions. But are all paycheck deductions…

Media

Education

Give Teachers the Freedom to Choose

• June 24, 2014

Let teachers worry about teaching; let politicians worry about politics. That’s been my mantra throughout my career as an educator. But, sadly, most public school teachers in Pennsylvania don’t have…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Mailbag: How will SuperPACs Affect Pennsylvania?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 20, 2014

A PolicyBlog reader asked if we could explain a recent “SuperPAC” ruling we covered in an op-ed back in April, along with its implications for state and national elections.

Media

Public Union Democracy

End Teacher Bullying with Paycheck Protection

• Nathan Benefield
• June 18, 2014

As most PolicyBlog readers already know, union dues are being used for political action. Moreover, taxpayer resources are used to collect both union dues and union campaign contributions. We at…

Media

Teachers Urge Reform of Pension System

• June 18, 2014

With Pennsylvania’s pension system for public school employees some $33 billion in debt, lawmakers are looking for ways to save a system that could add an additional $900…

Media