Government Accountability

The Squeeze: Government Unions’ Grip on Pennsylvanians

  • Priya Brannick
  • March 5, 2012

Pennsylvania's government unions wield tremendous political influence and advance policies that harm the commonwealth's taxpayers, children, and even their own members. Pennsylvania is a forced union state, meaning even workers…

Report

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Education

Pennsylvania K-12 Education Spending

  • February 29, 2012

Pennsylvania's K-12 education revenue increased from $13 billion in 1995-96 to $26 billion in 2009-10. Adjusted for inflation, that represents a 44% increase in revenue per student.  …

Fact Sheet

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Education

Ponderous PSEA, Virulent Violence Verified

  • Priya Brannick
  • January 18, 2012

Last December, the Commonwealth Foundation urged lawmakers to offer kids in Pennsylvania’s worst violent, failing schools a lifeline, and give them school choice for Christmas. We delivered bouquets of 17…

Media

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Education

The Education Monopoly Comandeers CNN

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 16, 2012

The Reading School District was featured on CNN this weekend, but not for anything positive. Reporters documented the poor air quality caused by crumbling school buildings across the nation.

Media

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Education

Crisis vs. Competition in Education

  • Priya Brannick
  • January 12, 2012

Here are two views on school choice, the idea that fostering a variety of schooling options for families—whether public, charter, cyber or private—is a good thing: School choice is a…

Media

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Government Accountability

Teachers’ Union Dues at Leisure

  • Priya Brannick
  • January 3, 2012

A full-time teacher and member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association pays $654 a year in union dues to state, national and local affiliates of the union. While part-time teachers…

Media

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Education

PSEA Exposed: Vex, Lies and Audio Tape

  • Priya Brannick
  • December 22, 2011

Nestled in the $4.2 million the Pennsylvania State Education Asssociation spent in 2010-11 on political activities are some very telling expenditures on polling firms.  For example, remember the much-touted…

Media

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Why Gov. Corbett Didn’t Get His Christmas Wish List

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • December 22, 2011

For Christmas this year, Gov. Tom Corbett hoped the legislature would gift wrap three things he could tie a bow on:  An education reform package that included school vouchers, state…

Commentary

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Union Party vs. Taxpayer Party: PA’s Political Paradigm

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • December 20, 2011

If you don’t receive our Weekly Update every Monday via email, here’s what you missed yesterday.  If you want to get these updates directly, sign up here. Dear…

Media

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