Criminal Justice Reform

Smart on Crime Reforms in 2017-18

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Marc LeBlond
  • December 20, 2018

“If it's failed policy, we should have the courage to leave it and let it go.” This poignant quote from former Senator Stewart Greenleaf encapsulates the essence of recent…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Three Ways Lawmakers are Expanding Worker Rights

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 13, 2018

Over the last two years, Pennsylvania lawmakers have taken great effort to improve our state’s labor laws to protect workers’ basic rights. However, as brave public servants like Greg Hartnett, an…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Reading Schools Stop Paying Ghost Teachers

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 10, 2018

Since 2011, Reading taxpayers have spent over $500,000 subsidizing the salaries of local teachers’ union officials. Finally, this unfair arrangement will end. In a practice known as “ghost teaching,”…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

SB 166 Falls Short in the House

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 13, 2017

Last night, Pennsylvania’s government union leaders preserved their exclusive political privilege. By a close vote of 90-102, the state House voted down SB 166 which would have prohibited…

Media

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Government Accountability

Lawsuit Seeks to End Ghost Teaching in Reading

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 6, 2017

Across Pennsylvania, school districts are struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of education driven by unsustainble penion expenses. Yet, a special perk built into over 20 percent…

Media

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Education

Ghosts in the Education Machine

  • James Paul
  • October 28, 2016

If Pennsylvania students miss three days of school without an excuse, the law says they must be reported. But across the commonwealth, certain teachers have been absent for years—without consequences…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania’s Ghost Teachers

  • June 3, 2016

Collective bargaining agreements in many Pennsylvania school districts permit school employees to take a full-time leave of absence from the classroom to perform union work. While on leave doing union work,…

Fact Sheet

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Public Union Democracy

Critical Vote Advances Paycheck Protection

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 23, 2014

Today, the House State Government Committee advanced House Bill 1507 to the floor, taking the first step towards ending the taxpayer collection of government union campaign contributions and political money.

Media

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Education

Rep.: Pa. Ed Needs 1st Class Not Third-World Results

  • October 25, 2011

One of the most controversial and emotional issues facing our Commonwealth involves the future of the education system. The media's attempt to reduce nearly every major complicated issue…

Commentary

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