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Recent Research
MARCH 8, 2010 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests
Gov. Rendell, of course, didn't declare war on all special interests - only those who oppose his tax-borrow-and-spend agenda. For example, while he lambasts the natural gas industry for opposing yet another tax upon the several it already pays, he gives a pass to the special interests clamoring for more of its money.
DECEMBER 9, 2009 | Testimony by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Project Labor Agreements
PLAs are agreements between government and state contractors that contain stipulations beneficial to unionized labor, such as: requiring employment of unionized workers, use of union apprentice programs, and payments into union funds. Yet PLAs result in higher costs for taxpayers and create unfair and discriminatory contract privil
NOVEMBER 17, 2009 | Commentary by ADAM COLE
Pennsylvania: An Unequal Opportunity Employer
Equal opportunity has long been a cherished ideal in America. Yet state government is engaging in unequal contracting practices. Governor Rendell's administration is mandating discriminatory Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public construction projects across Pennsylvania.
Recent Blog Posts
MARCH 5, 2010
Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment
David Henderson has a post up on the Econlog blog about how unemployment benefits increase the unemployment rate. He cites himself, the Federal Reserve, and Obama economic advisor Larry Summers.
Elizabeth Bryan touched on this economic effect in a recent CF commentary, but as the commenters note, it's just because she's cold and heartless.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 02:39 PM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
The Impact of Unions on Public Policy
The latest Cato Journal takes on the topic of "Are Unions Good for America?" The journal features a number of good articles on issues of relevance nationally and in Pennsylvania.
- Chris Edwards tackles the issue of public sector unions and rising compensation for government workers (For PA example, see Elizabeth Bryan & Katrina Anderson's commentary during the most recent SEPTA strike.)
- David Tuerck looks at the costs of Project Labor Agreements. (Also see Commonwealth Foundation policy points on PLAs.)
- Richard Vedder examines the economic benefits of Right-to-Work laws. (Indeed, passing a Right to Work law is one of the six opportunities for Pennsylvania we noted.)
- George Leef writes about the special interests driving prevailing wage laws. (See this CF commentary for more on how that issue effects Pennsylvania.)
As private sector unions continue to shrink, while government unions grow, union leadership increasing looks to government programs to bail them out. It is important to note the impact of these laws they push for and defend, and - as Gov. Rendell noted in his budget address - put good policy ahead of special interests.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 00:12 PM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Growth of Government Unions in Pennsylvania
Eric Boehm notes the growth of public-sector union members (which now represent a majority of union members nation-wide) and the decline of private union members in Pennsylvania.
More than 70 percent of union workers in Pennsylvania held private sector jobs in 1984. Since then, private sector unions have seen nearly a 50 percent decline in membership, while public sector unions in the Commonwealth have grown by nineteen percent during the same period.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 09:31 AM | 0 comment
