Education

Philly Superintendent’s $65K Bonus Criteria Released

• August 3, 2010

Welcome to part two on Philadelphia school Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s bonus. (If you missed “Unethical Philly Superintendent Leeching Taxpayers Dry,” click here.) The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that, though…

Media

Energy

Gas Fuels Growth

• August 3, 2010

The national economy is in a slump, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic growth is being hampered by misguided policies. Meanwhile, Bradford County, Pennsylvania led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t Compute

• August 2, 2010

The PA Revenue Department’s main computer system was installed in 1975. The outdated system’s technological language, COBOL, is not even taught in universities anymore, narrowing the number of applicants…

Media

Taxes & Economy

When Your Ideas Harm Taxpayers, Make Stuff Up

• Charles Mitchell
• July 22, 2010

The Patriot-News has been all over the Commonwealth Foundation’s recent report exposing the activities of PennFuture, the environmental lobbying group whose former president is in charge of Gov. Rendell’s Department…

Media

Education

New School Choice Legislation Introduced in PA Senate

• July 20, 2010

Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) introduced Senate Bill 1405, the Opportunity Scholarship Act, last month with three Republican co-sponsors.  This legislation represent a huge opportunity to increase parental choice in…

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Regulation

Pet Projects Lap Up Funds

• July 13, 2010

State Legislators awarding funds to pet projects flies in the faces of Pennsylvanians who want their state to eliminate a deficit before tapping revenue for pet projects. Capitolwire (subscription)…

Media

Charters vs. Private School Choice

• July 10, 2010

Martha Woodall, in her recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, notes that Philadelphia parents are craving more school choice options. In a new Pew Charitable Trusts study, 62%…

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Education

Unethical Philly Superintendent Leeching Taxpayers Dry

• July 9, 2010

Last school year, taxpayers gave Philadelphia School District Superintendent Arlene Ackerman $65,000 (in addition to her salary of $325,000, which could be close to $500,000 next year). But…

Media

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Leads in Spending Taxpayer Money to Lobby Congress

• Nathan Benefield
• July 8, 2010

A new analysis from Open Secrets finds that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (i.e., our state government) led all states in spending taxpayer money on federal lobbying in the first…

Media