Public Union Democracy

It’s Time to Enact Paycheck Protection Once and For All

• Jessica Barnett
• December 4, 2017

Here's the bottom line: Taxpayers shouldn't be the middleman for anyone's political agenda, which is why Pa. needs SB 166.

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Ending Taxpayer-Funded Collection of Campaign Contributions

• Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
• November 21, 2017

The House State Government Committee recently advanced SB 166, which restores integrity to an unfair system by stopping taxpayer-funded collection and distribution of campaign contributions for any entity. We explain…

Memo

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Collect Millions for Government Unions

• Jessica Barnett
• May 10, 2017

Since 2010, Pennsylvania state government has used taxpayer resources to transfer $244 million to government union treasuries. This figure includes millions for highly political activities. According to records obtained via…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania Government Union Dues Used for Politics

• May 8, 2017

Since 2007, Pennsylvania government unions spent $62.7 million from membership dues on “Political Activities & Lobbying.” Including national affiliates the total reaches $342 million during the 2016 election cycle alone. Here…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

How Government Union Dues Subsidize Partisan Politics

• Jessica Barnett
• May 5, 2017

The 2016 election cycle reveals big spending from big labor, according to a report released by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR). NILRR discovered $1.7 billion in…

Media

Time to End Special Interest Loophole

• April 27, 2017

Because of a legal carveout for special interests, Pennsylvania has been mixing public resources and politics for years. But that carveout could soon end.

Commentary

Time to End Special Interest Loophole

• Jessica Barnett
• April 27, 2017

Because of a legal carveout for special interests, Pennsylvania has been mixing public resources and politics for years. But that carveout could soon end.

Commentary

Government Accountability

Policy Memo: Government Union Political Spending Trends

• Jessica Barnett
• April 19, 2017

Union leaders spend millions each year to further their own political agenda. Regardless of public sector employees’ personal political convictions, the highly partisan trend continued to the tune of $19 million…

Memo

Public Union Democracy

Top 10 Recipients of Government Union Money

• Jessica Barnett
• April 19, 2017

Government unions wield enormous influence in Pennsylvania politics. Since 2010, the commonwealth’s largest government unions have spent over $71 million on politics—including $26 million in political action committee (PAC)…

Media