Public Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election CyclePennsylvania 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.
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Education
Governor Wolf’s Budget Hostages
Tom Wolf finally admitted he held school children hostage in hopes of higher taxes: “We're now at a point where I don't want to hold the children of Pennsylvania hostage.” But…
Media
Read More: Governor Wolf’s Budget HostagesPublic Union Democracy
A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016
Last year, Gov. Tom Wolf promised he would take state government in a “different direction” and grow the middle class. He pledged to do this by making Pennsylvania a magnet for…
Media
Read More: A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016Public Union Democracy
Union Dues Fund New Political Attack Ads
America Works USA launched a new round of political attack ads opposing the latest state budget. These highly misleading ads again talk about “cuts to education.” However, the…
Media
Read More: Union Dues Fund New Political Attack AdsPublic Union Democracy
Tax Hike of Christmas Past?
Given the rumblings of an imminent vote on higher income taxes, it's important to remember what happened 12 years ago (nearly to the day!) with our state budget. Ed Rendell was…
Media
Read More: Tax Hike of Christmas Past?Government Accountability
State Budget Should Consider Pa. Freedom Index
State Budget Should Consider Pa. Freedom Index Commonwealth Ranks Mediocre 21st in Economic Freedom December 16, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Pennsylvania may be home to the cradle of liberty, but…
Press Release
Read More: State Budget Should Consider Pa. Freedom IndexEducation
Philly Union Priorities: Politics over Teachers
How would you feel if your employer took funds meant for your health insurance and spent them on partisan politics? Sadly, this is a reality for thousands of teachers in…
Media
Read More: Philly Union Priorities: Politics over TeachersGovernment Accountability
PA Fails Integrity Test
There is a clear need for improved governmental accountability and transparency in Pennsylvania, but how does the commonwealth compare to the rest of the country? According to the Center…
Media
Read More: PA Fails Integrity TestEducation
For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters Control
Should voters have the right to approve property tax increases? This is a central point of contention within a rumored budget framework that purports to provide Pennsylvanians with property tax…
Media
Read More: For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters ControlGovernment Accountability
Union Political Spending in the 2015 Pennsylvania Elections
The problem isn't that unions give a lot, or even that they dominate political spending. The problem is that government union dues and campaign contributions are collected at taxpayer expense…
Memo
Read More: Union Political Spending in the 2015 Pennsylvania ElectionsPublic Union Democracy
Unions’ Pass to Harass Comes to End
Unions' Pass to Harass Comes to End Wolf Signs Bill Closing Union Violence Loophole November 5, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Eight days after anti-harassment bill HB 874 hit his desk,…
Press Release
Read More: Unions’ Pass to Harass Comes to EndPublic Union Democracy
Dear Kids
On October 21, more than 100 days after his veto touched off Pennsylvania’s ongoing state budget impasse, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers…
Media
Read More: Dear KidsGovernment Accountability
Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack Ads
Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform—a new “SuperPAC” (technically an “Independent Expenditure Committee”) registered in August—has spent about $2.5 million on attack ads in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race. Who…
Media
Read More: Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack AdsPublic Union Democracy
Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence Bill
Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence Bill Governor Has until November 7 to Sign Union Intimidation Bill November 2, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Philadelphia construction executive Sarina…
Press Release
Read More: Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence BillPublic Union Democracy
The Voluntary Deductions Facade
Paycheck protection detractors defend using taxpayer resources for partisan politics by insisting union members can voluntarily deduct political donations from their paychecks, but this excuse misses the point. Taxpayers aren't offered a choice. They're…
Media
Read More: The Voluntary Deductions FacadePublic Union Democracy
Justice for All
Sarina Rose counted on the justice system to punish the person who harassed her during a labor dispute. The system let her down. The Philadelphia Inquirer covered her ordeal…
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Read More: Justice for AllPublic Union Democracy
Ball in Wolf’s Court to End Union Violence Loophole
Ball in Wolf's Court to End Union Violence Loophole Stalking, Harassment, Threats Currently Legal in Labor Disputes October 27, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Stalking, harassment, and personal threats…
Press Release
Read More: Ball in Wolf’s Court to End Union Violence LoopholePublic Union Democracy
Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court Race
Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court Race Public Resources Used for Campaign Politics October 27, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Government union leaders are free to back their…
Press Release
Read More: Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court RaceGovernment Accountability
A Revolving Door of Corruption
The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…
Media
Read More: A Revolving Door of CorruptionCriminal Justice Reform
Audio: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
In Pennsylvania, civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement agents to legally seize property without convicting an individual of a crime. These laws turn justice on its head, allowing police…
Media
Read More: Audio: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?Government Accountability
Three Reforms that Transcend Party Lines
Budget gridlock is hamstringing Harrisburg, but when it comes to transparency and accountability, a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians support three key reforms. Paycheck protection, transparency in government union contract negotiations,…
Media
Read More: Three Reforms that Transcend Party LinesEducation
Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the Future
As 1980s movie buffs know, today—Oct 21, 2015—is the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled forward in time in the Back to the Future films. Back to the Future predicted…
Media
Read More: Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the Future