Public Union Democracy
How Taxpayers Subsidize Union Politics
Last year, Pennsylvania’s main government unions spent nearly $5 million of their members’ union dues on political activities that workers don’t get to approve. In 2011-12, these unions also…
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Read More: How Taxpayers Subsidize Union PoliticsHealth Care
Obamacare: Exchange Sign-ups Dwarfed by Cancellations
Yesterday, the federal government revealed that shockingly low numbers of Americans are purchasing health insurance on the dysfunctional Obamacare exchange. In Pennsylvania, it’s clear the law is doing more…
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Read More: Obamacare: Exchange Sign-ups Dwarfed by CancellationsHealth Care
A Sign of Things to Come?
Cancelled health care plans, an unusable exchange website—do we still trust the federal government to deliver on its health care promises? In what could be a sign of what’s to…
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Read More: A Sign of Things to Come?Regulation
A Band-Aid for Broken PLCB
A change has come to Pennsylvania’s state-controlled liquor monopoly that will improve the customer experience, according to the PLCB. Are we finally going to get liquor privatization after eight decades?…
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Read More: A Band-Aid for Broken PLCBEducation
Teacher: Forced Union Dues a “Kick in the Teeth”
This perspective on union spending by Pennsylvania public school teacher Rob Brough originally appeared at Free to Teach, a project of the Commonwealth Foundation. I left my teachers union…
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Read More: Teacher: Forced Union Dues a “Kick in the Teeth”Education
False Claims Fuel Charter Attacks
The Education Law Center has issued an attack on legislation to allow universities to approve new charter schools. In a single paragraph, a spokesman for the group makes makes…
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Read More: False Claims Fuel Charter AttacksEducation
School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?
Pennsylvania earned a “C+” for providing citizens information on how public schools spend money, according to a recent report from the Cato Institute titled “Cracking the…
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Read More: School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?Government Accountability
Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord
State Treasurer Rob McCord received endorsements for governor last week from two government unions—UFCW 1776 and AFSCME. That means big money from union PACs to his campaign. The…
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Read More: Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCordGovernment Accountability
TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare
In a scathing investigative report, Chris Papst at CBS 21 revealed a widespread culture in Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare (DPW)—and orders from supervisors—to look past fraudulent claims to enroll…
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Read More: TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare