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.
Related Issues
Government Accountability
Past Time to Clean Up Harrisburg
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a couple of stories on corruption in the Capitol. One is a query about the $10 million in taxpayer grants directed to the Beaver…
Media
Read More: Past Time to Clean Up HarrisburgGovernment Accountability
Does Government Need to Fund R&D?
An interesting query on the role of government in research and new technologies from OpenMarket.org. The insight is relevant both for topics like bio-fuel research and stem-cell research, but…
Media
Read More: Does Government Need to Fund R&D?Public Union Democracy
Todd Palin is Bankrolling Efforts to Defeat His Wife
If you saw this blog title and thought there was something out whack, as I did, well you are right, but not because Todd Palin is deliberating undermining his wife.
Media
Read More: Todd Palin is Bankrolling Efforts to Defeat His WifeGovernment Accountability
Open the Books on Government Spending
Imagine a website where you could instantly find information about the salary of your legislator or the amount of money your school district spends on textbooks. Think of a database…
Commentary
Read More: Open the Books on Government SpendingGovernment Accountability
Push for reform coming up short
Here is one of the most disheartening articles I have read about reform in Harrisburg. (HT: Grassroots PA). Not only do some Pennsylvania lawmakers think that the…
Media
Read More: Push for reform coming up shortPublic Union Democracy
The Card-Check Party
The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund notes that the Democrats almost committed a major blunder on one of their key labor union campaign issues — ending the use…
Media
Read More: The Card-Check PartyGovernment Accountability
BonusGate update and questions
The Democracy Rising PA Newsletter raises some interesting points about a pronouncement by Attorney General Tom Corbett that he wouldn’t make announcements about indictments leading up to Nov.
Media
Read More: BonusGate update and questionsGovernment Accountability
Thomas Jefferson: Blogger
While I thought we had the most influential blog around (or at least number 7), this Jefferson guy from Charlottesville seems to be quoted quite a bit.
Media
Read More: Thomas Jefferson: BloggerGovernment Accountability
Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?
In early July, the State Treasurer’s office revealed the new PA Contracts e-Library as required by the recent Open Records law. The database posts government contracts and grants in…
Media
Read More: Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?Government Accountability
Should 18 year-olds be allowed to drink (legally)?
A large group of college presidents have launched an initiative to lower the legal drinking age from 21 to18. Their argument is that 18 to 21 year…
Media
Read More: Should 18 year-olds be allowed to drink (legally)?Government Accountability
16 days of work in six months may tire House
Eric Heyl, with a hint of sarcasm, suggests that the 16 days the PA House (and the 10 days for the PA Senate) is scheduled to be in session between July…
Media
Read More: 16 days of work in six months may tire HouseGovernment Accountability
A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial Memorandum
The U.S. Attorney General’s Trial Memorandum for the upcoming federal trial, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. VINCENT J. FUMO & RUTH ARNAO, reads like a movie script. Unfortunately,…
Media
Read More: A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial MemorandumGovernment Accountability
Turnpike chairman Rubin under fire as “ghost employee” of federal defendant Fumo
TOLLROADSnews, the toll road industry’s news website, highlights the connections between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Sen. Vince Fumo’s upcoming federal trial. We’re still scratching our heads as to…
Media
Read More: Turnpike chairman Rubin under fire as “ghost employee” of federal defendant FumoGovernment Accountability
California Lawmaker Kicked Out of Capitol
From The Club For Growth blog: Democratic leaders in the California legislature kicked Assemblywoman Nicole Parra out of the Capitol building because she didn’t…
Media
Read More: California Lawmaker Kicked Out of CapitolGovernment Accountability
Missouri study of merit selection of judges
One topic that came up in our luncheon on a state Constitutional Convention was merit selection of judges (we also held a luncheon on that topic earlier this…
Media
Read More: Missouri study of merit selection of judgesGovernment Accountability
Is Pennsylvania Ready for a Constitutional Convention?
Video from yesterday’s luncheon on Reviving Reform: Is it Time for a Constitutional Convention? featuring Sen. Jeff Piccola and Rep. Rosemarie Swanger is now available on our YouTube…
Media
Read More: Is Pennsylvania Ready for a Constitutional Convention?Government Accountability
Reducing the Size of the General Assembly
Testimony before the House State Government Committee, August 19, 2008 Thank you, Chairwoman Josephs, and members of the House State Government Committee for the opportunity to testify today on the…
Testimony
Read More: Reducing the Size of the General AssemblyGovernment Accountability
Reform doesn’t mean suing to get candidates off the ballot
Last month, as part of the bonusgate indictments, PA House Democratic representatives and staffers were accused of illegally using taxpayer money to challenge petitions and effectively get Ralph Nader off…
Media
Read More: Reform doesn’t mean suing to get candidates off the ballotGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania not only state looking at Constitutional Convention
Today’s Policies and Principles Luncheon will focus discuss whether Pennsylvania needs to hold a Constitutional Convention (see also Sen. Piccola’s commentary on the need for a Convention on…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania not only state looking at Constitutional ConventionPublic Union Democracy
Just Say No to Card Checks
Check out this Wall Street Journal article by former Senator George McGovern on the dangers of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Act would impose a card check system…
Media
Read More: Just Say No to Card ChecksGovernment Accountability
Reform Update
PACleanSweep has recently updated its Hall of Shame to highlight the senators and representatives who have not signed the petition calling for a special session of the General Assembly…
Media
Read More: Reform Update