Public Union Democracy
Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025
Harrisburg, Pa., April 22, 2026 — Despite 2025 being an off-year election, Pennsylvania still saw heavy political spending by unions, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. The…
Press Release
Read More: Even in an Off-Year, Unions Spend Millions in Pennsylvania in 2025Public Union Democracy
Full Court Press: Pennsylvania Union Political Spending in 2025
Key Points Political action committees (PACs) affiliated with trade unions and government unions spent $22.4 million in monetary and in-kind political activity in 2025, a year with few legislative elections…
Backgrounder
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Governor Shapiro’s SEPTA Bailout is Another Failure of Leadership
Harrisburg, PA, November 22, 2024 — Gov. Josh Shapiro today announced a plan to divert federal funds to bail out the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). At a press conference in Philadelphia,…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s SEPTA Bailout is Another Failure of LeadershipPublic Union Democracy
Union democracy? Not so much
Originally published at The Mercury Another rowdy student group recently took over an Ivy League school, driven by outside agitators who neither attend nor care about the university’s success.
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Read More: Union democracy? Not so muchGovernment Accountability
How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists
Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.
Backgrounder
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Philly PD—and all public employees in Pa.—need transparency and accountability
Philadelphia City Council recently approved an accountability measure for police union contract negotiations, prompting praise from good government officials and a lawsuit from the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5…
Media
Read More: Philly PD—and all public employees in Pa.—need transparency and accountabilityPublic Union Democracy
Why There’s “Money in Politics”
The recent public corruption indictment of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, leader of the IBEW 98 labor union, Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, and a slew of other IBEW leaders shows…
Media
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Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not Beneficial
This week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Philadelphia’s soda tax, citing the Sterling Act as grounds for their decision. While supporters celebrate their good intentions, the tax is…
Media
Read More: Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not BeneficialEducation
Philly’s School Reform Commission Ends, Questions Abound for Residents & Taxpayers
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission has voted to dissolve itself. The 16-year experiment has been a mixed bag. The school district continues to face tough financial times with a looming…
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Read More: Philly’s School Reform Commission Ends, Questions Abound for Residents & Taxpayers