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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Government Accountability
Update: State Spending Transparency
A reader emailed to ask if there are examples of states with online spending databases. Indeed states across the country are adopting transparency legislation while state officials and think tanks…
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Read More: Update: State Spending TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Constitutional Convention in IL gets a boost
The Illinois Constitutional Convention ballot question, discussed in a previous post, got a couple of boosts in the last week. First came news that the Cook County Assessor…
Media
Read More: Constitutional Convention in IL gets a boostGovernment Accountability
Perzel’s Parking Authority
Here is a funny video in which “Manatee” declares his desire to run the Philadelphia Parking Authority, so that he can work as little as possible, hire all his…
Media
Read More: Perzel’s Parking AuthorityGovernment Accountability
Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?
Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review reports on the inability of the General Assembly to pass reform legislation this session. The Senate is blaming the House for failing to act…
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Read More: Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?Government Accountability
Talking Free Markets with Karl Rove
I had the chance to hear Karl Rove speak at a conference hosted by Hillsdale College on “Economics and the 2008 Election.” Rove had some interesting things to say:…
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Read More: Talking Free Markets with Karl RovePublic Union Democracy
The “Disability Epidemic” Among Union Employees
If you don’t want to get angry after reading these first couple of paragraphs of this New York Times story, then don’t click through here: To understand what it’s…
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Read More: The “Disability Epidemic” Among Union EmployeesGovernment Accountability
Must See TV: “The Call of the Entrepreneur”
The Fox Business Channel is featuring The Call of the Entrepreneur at the following times: • Saturday, September 27 5:00 – 6:00 PM EST / 2:00 – 3:00 PM…
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Read More: Must See TV: “The Call of the Entrepreneur”Government Accountability
Bonus Ban(s) pass House State Government
After numerous complaints about the lack of action on reform bills (including from yours truly) the House State Government committee today voted to send two “bonus ban” bills…
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Read More: Bonus Ban(s) pass House State GovernmentPublic Union Democracy
Union Against Union
Talk about ironic: the Oregon Education Association is facing a strike, but not from its own members. The organization that helps the OEA file grievances and negotiate contracts, OEA Professional…
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Read More: Union Against UnionPublic Union Democracy
More Union Dues spent on Politics
The Union Label blog writes on how AFSCME (the union for government workers) is using union dues to attack candidates for office (see USA Today story as well).
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Read More: More Union Dues spent on PoliticsGovernment Accountability
Election Protection – The Nation’s Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition (Draft)
Election Protection – The Nation’s Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition…
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Read More: Election Protection – The Nation’s Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition (Draft)Government Accountability
Follow the Commonwealth Foundation on Twitter
The Commonwealth Foundation is now on Twitter. If you Twitter, or thinking of signing up to show how young and hip you are (do the young and hip still…
Media
Read More: Follow the Commonwealth Foundation on TwitterGovernment Accountability
Discharge resolution on bonus ban bill
Representative Brad Roae sends us this regarding his discharge resolution for SB 986, the “Bonus Ban” “On Monday I turned in a Discharge Resolution to pull the bill…
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Read More: Discharge resolution on bonus ban billPublic Union Democracy
AFSCME opposes unlimited government?!?
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (which runs 14 state universities, but not the “state-related” schools like Penn State and Pitt), banned all smoking on campus, both indoor and…
Media
Read More: AFSCME opposes unlimited government?!?Government Accountability
Why a special session on reform is needed
During a press conference calling on Cerberus and the House Democrats to pass a number of reform bills already passed unanimously by the Senate, contending that a special…
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Read More: Why a special session on reform is neededGovernment Accountability
Great Website on Fiscal Responsibility
Americans for Tax Reform has launched its Center for Fiscal Responsibility, a fantastic site dedicated to (as the name implies) fiscal responsibility in federal state and local government. I…
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Read More: Great Website on Fiscal ResponsibilityGovernment Accountability
New Blog: Snippets of PA Capitol Coverage
Pennsylvania Legislative Service has a new blog, which will include some of their coverage of happenings at the state Capitol (previously available only to paid subscribers) such as wrap…
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Read More: New Blog: Snippets of PA Capitol CoverageGovernment Accountability
DeWeese boasts about House reforms
The Herald Standard has an article in which Bill DeWeese praises all the reforms the House has done under his watch. Eric Epstein and Tim Potts offer…
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Read More: DeWeese boasts about House reformsEducation
‘Tis the Season…for teacher strikes, that is.
Saucon Valley teachers who make nearly $80K are ready to strike. Nick Falsone writes on his Bedlam in Bethlehem blog for The Express-Times about elementary school teacher Vivian Demko,…
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Read More: ‘Tis the Season…for teacher strikes, that is.Government Accountability
House Republican Caucus: Opening the Books
The House Republican Caucus has posted a number of contracts on the Treasurer’s website and announced they will start observing the new Open…
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Read More: House Republican Caucus: Opening the BooksGovernment Accountability
As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
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Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues