Public Union Democracy

Audio: Mary’s Law Ends Unfair Political Privilege

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • January 14, 2015

Government unions have the luxury of using taxpayers’ resources—which should never be used for politics—to collect their political dues money and direct campaign contributions. Simultaneously, these unions have been wrongly…

Media

Read More: Audio: Mary’s Law Ends Unfair Political Privilege

Education

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low Expectations

  • James Paul
  • December 19, 2014

Is it true that schools with high concentrations of low-income students face unique challenges? Yes. Should poverty, along with several other social problems, be understood as a factor that influences…

Media

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Education

Harmed by “Hold Harmless”

  • James Paul
  • December 15, 2014

There are few more egregious examples of political doublespeak than Pennsylvania’s “hold harmless” provision for state education funding. Hold harmless guarantees each school district receives no fewer state education dollars…

Media

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Education

Audio: Could Charter Conversion be in York City’s Future?

  • December 10, 2014

York City School District—financially distressed and second-to-last in the state in student achievement—may be in for some much-needed change in the coming weeks. After two years of…

Media

Read More: Audio: Could Charter Conversion be in York City’s Future?

Education

Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…

Commentary

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Education

School Funding Reform & Weighted Student Funding

  • James Paul, Nathan Benefield
  • December 4, 2014

Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony to this commission on the important topic of reforming how we distribute state funding for education. Our written testimony will focus on…

Testimony

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Education

In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts

  • December 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts Current System Favors Shrinking Districts at Growing Districts' Expense December 4,…

Press Release

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Education

Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?

  • James Paul
  • November 10, 2014

The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…

Commentary

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Education

Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

  • October 24, 2014

Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…

Commentary

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