Public Union Democracy

Union Dues are Used for Politics (and Members Don’t Know It)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 10, 2015

Yesterday's blog post and infographic noted how union dues from Pennsylvania teachers and state workers fund political ads from America Works USA. In response, on both Twitter…

Media

Read More: Union Dues are Used for Politics (and Members Don’t Know It)

Education

Audio: Helping Teachers Speak Out

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • August 27, 2015

Teachers across Pennsylvania are being forced to contribute their hard-earned dollars to partisan politics and organizations they do not agree with. Some brave teachers–such as Linda Misja and…

Media

Read More: Audio: Helping Teachers Speak Out

Government Accountability

Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 Election

  • February 11, 2015

The evidence is overwhelming: Unions use members' dues and taxpayer resources to push their political agenda. By passing paycheck protection, Pennsylvania can move toward leveling the political playing field, making…

Memo

Read More: Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 Election

Education

PODCAST: StudentsFirst on Education Reform

  • January 8, 2014

Part two of our conversation with Ashley DeMauro, PA state director for StudentsFirst, features an in-depth discussion of seniority reform, teacher evaluations, school transparency, and charter school reform.

Media

Read More: PODCAST: StudentsFirst on Education Reform

Education

VIDEO: Charter Schools Threatened by Punitive Rules

  • January 2, 2014

With a waiting list 30,000 students long, you’d think Philadelphia would be working to expand the reach of charter schools. Sadly, Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission is seeking just the opposite, …

Media

Read More: VIDEO: Charter Schools Threatened by Punitive Rules

Government Accountability

What Can You Do?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 27, 2013

The next hours and days could dramatically shape Pennsylvania’s future, but will it be for the better? As time winds down before the final budget passes, several critical issues hang…

Media

Read More: What Can You Do?

Regulation

New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

  • June 5, 2013

The final Senate hearing on liquor privatization has concluded, where do things stand for Pennsylvania taxpayers and consumers? Carl Marrara, director of government affairs for Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and…

Media

Read More: New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

Regulation

A Privatization Conversation

  • March 27, 2013

Today we held our second Google Hangout broadcast and discussed the latest on liquor store privatization, including: What happened last week in the House, how social media activism was used…

Media

Read More: A Privatization Conversation

Taxes & Economy

Olympic Lessons for Gold Medal Citizens

  • July 30, 2012

When you watch as much Olympics coverage as I do, you can learn a lot: like the size of swimming prodigy Missy Franklin’s feet (13), the weight of the tires…

Media

Read More: Olympic Lessons for Gold Medal Citizens