Pennsylvania will only become a beacon for opportunity when its policies are in the hands of taxpayers and citizens, not special interests and bureaucrats. It’s vital that our government is accountable to the people—not organizations or institutions. Policies that advance transparency and restore workers’ rights are the keys to this happening.

Education

APSCUF Threatens Faculty

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2016

This morning, APSCUF, the union representing 5,000 faculty at the State System of Higher Education schools, went on strike. As we pointed out a few weeks ago, one…

Media

Read More: APSCUF Threatens Faculty

Government Accountability

Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

  • October 19, 2016

What are the roots of conservatism? How has conservatism and its messengers changed over time and what are the consequences for the nation? Political commentator Matt Lewis, author of “…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

Government Accountability

How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

  • James Paul
  • October 17, 2016

Why are taxpayers being charged for money left unspent? This question is posed by NBC 10 reporter Mitch Blacher to public school administrators in southeastern Pennsylvania districts. An NBC investigation…

Media

Read More: How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

Government Accountability

Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions

  • Catherine Fitzhugh
  • October 6, 2016

In a recent interview with Stephanie Renee, host of WURD AM’s The Mojo, Nathan Benefield discussed the roots of Pennsylvania’s pension crisis and how to fix it. Pension debt has stacked up…

Media

Read More: Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions

Public Union Democracy

Top Ten Recipients of Government Union Contributions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 30, 2016

Election season is in full swing, but so is the fall legislative session. This time of year elected officials walk a narrow line to avoid the illegal practice of using…

Media

Read More: Top Ten Recipients of Government Union Contributions

Government Accountability

New Labor Contracts Will Add to Taxpayers’ Burden

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2016

New union contracts will make state government more expensive, according to two analyses released by the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO). The IFO projects contracts negotiated by the Wolf Administration…

Media

Read More: New Labor Contracts Will Add to Taxpayers’ Burden

Public Union Democracy

Wolf?s Union Agenda Loses Big in Court

  • Gina Diorio
  • September 22, 2016

David Smith and Donald Lambrecht were up against a powerful foe: Gov. Wolf and an executive order that granted a sweetheart deal to a union at their expense. In a…

Media

Read More: Wolf?s Union Agenda Loses Big in Court

Government Accountability

Teachers’ Union Deceives on Dues Donations

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 15, 2016

Last week, the Commonwealth Court ordered the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to investigate Mary Trometter's allegation that the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) used her union dues to support Tom Wolf's run…

Media

Read More: Teachers’ Union Deceives on Dues Donations

Education

Teacher Shortages Haunt Philly Students

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 15, 2016

Philadelphia's teacher shortage is making headlines, and city council is demanding the district solve the problem. A classroom without a permanent teacher is certainly unfair to students, yet Philadelphia teachers…

Media

Read More: Teacher Shortages Haunt Philly Students

Education

Local Union Complains About Transparency

  • September 13, 2016

The school board and the local teachers union in the West Shore School District are in conflict. The two sides have been unable to agree on a contract for two…

Media

Read More: Local Union Complains About Transparency

Education

Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2016

APSCUF—the union representing faculty at state-owned universities—has begun a vote to authorize a strike. One of APSCUF's complaints with the proposed contract is higher health care expenses. In…

Media

Read More: Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

Government Accountability

Transparency Improves the Collective Bargaining Process

  • September 1, 2016

On August 30, Secretary of Administration Sharon Minnich announced the details of a new three-year labor agreement between the Wolf Administration and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal…

Media

Read More: Transparency Improves the Collective Bargaining Process

Education

Public Remains Supportive of School Choice

  • James Paul
  • August 30, 2016

That’s the upshot of the 10th annual public opinion survey from Education Next, which covers a range of topics including school choice, school spending, personnel policy, testing, and accountability.

Media

Read More: Public Remains Supportive of School Choice

Education

Understanding Your School District?s Labor Contract

  • James Paul, Jessica Barnett
  • August 17, 2016

CF reviewed labor contracts in each of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts and uncovered several interesting findings. These contracts, known as collective bargaining agreements, are negotiated behind closed doors between…

Media

Read More: Understanding Your School District?s Labor Contract

Government Accountability

School District Labor Contracts: Surprising Provisions

  • August 17, 2016

More than 1.7 million students rely on Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts to meet their diverse educational needs. School boards from each district agree to collective bargaining agreements (labor contracts) with local teachers’…

Memo

Read More: School District Labor Contracts: Surprising Provisions

Education

Trapped: 5 Ways Union Contracts Trample Teachers’ Rights

  • August 16, 2016

Trapped: 5 Ways Union Contracts Trample Teachers’ Rights Forced Unionism, Ghost Teachers Among Ways Contracts Exploit Teachers August 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As students across Pennsylvania head back to…

Press Release

Read More: Trapped: 5 Ways Union Contracts Trample Teachers’ Rights

Public Union Democracy

Poll: Union Leaders Out of Touch, Too Powerful

  • August 11, 2016

Poll: Union Leaders Out of Touch, Too Powerful Just 25% of Current or Former Union Members Say Union Leaders Represent Workers Well August 11, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Out of…

Press Release

Read More: Poll: Union Leaders Out of Touch, Too Powerful

Government Accountability

Introducing Commonwealth Insight, a Biweekly Podcast

  • August 10, 2016

We're excited to announce the launch of Commonwealth Insight, a biweekly podcast where we'll bring you conversations with thought leaders and influencers from around our state and the country.

Media

Read More: Introducing Commonwealth Insight, a Biweekly Podcast