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
Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy
Pennsylvania and Ohio share more than a border. Both states spend a ton of money on “economic development” while consistently failing to attract new jobs. No wonder elected…
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Read More: Legal reform aids Ohio’s economyGovernment Accountability
Bonusgate, corruption, and reform news
There are plenty of stories on corruption and reform in today’s papers: DeWeese under fire: State Rep. Josh Shapiro calls on House Majority Leader Bill Deweese to stop down…
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Read More: Bonusgate, corruption, and reform newsGovernment Accountability
Absurd statement of the day
The attorney for Sean Ramaley – who was indicted in the bonusgate scandal (accused of taking a no-work job to campaign for the House, and dropped his bid for…
Media
Read More: Absurd statement of the dayGovernment Accountability
Too little… too late
Lowman Henry weighs in on the House State Government Committee’s upcoming hearing on reducing the size of the legislature. He doesn’t say much on the merits of the proposal…
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Read More: Too little… too lateGovernment Accountability
How Many Wives Is Too Many?
John Stossel has a Townhall Commentary, likely to be controversial among the Townhall readers, about polygamy. He quotes one polygamist activist (not sure if there is more than one):…
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Read More: How Many Wives Is Too Many?Government Accountability
Legal fees double taxpayers’ cost in bonus scandal
Tribune Review story highlights the millions of taxpayer dollars spent on legal fees – the bulk by House Democrats – in response to the bonusgate investigation. Taxpayers picked…
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Read More: Legal fees double taxpayers’ cost in bonus scandalGovernment Accountability
Spammed by your Government
Mario Cattabiani describes in the Philadelphia Inquirer how House Democrats spent $1.2 million to buy email address to send political messages to. And that’s not including several…
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PA Housing Markets
Trulia.com has a tool to map housing prices, national, state, or locally. Here is the Pennsylvania map. (HT Carpe Diem)…
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More news on Government Reform
Round-up of a number of stories today on the push for government reform and transparency: Steve Samuelson has worked out a compromise with Babette Josephs – who stymied…
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Read More: More news on Government ReformGovernment Accountability
Best Wishes to Bob Durgin
WHP host and good friend of the Commonwealth Foundation Bob Durgin will undergo triple bypass surgery today. We wish Bob a speedy recovery. Details and address to send Bob…
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Read More: Best Wishes to Bob DurginGovernment Accountability
How the left and right differ on reform
I was in DC on Monday at a conference hosted by the Brookings Institute on reforming Pennsylvania – yes, our state is so bad that we are a great case…
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Read More: How the left and right differ on reformGovernment Accountability
Who has contracts with PA Government
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department has a great new tool for searching state contracts online. A description of the database – what you will find and will not find –…
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Read More: Who has contracts with PA GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Calls for Reform
Here is a quick roundup of editorials from across the state calling for a Constitutional Convention and/or a special session (as well as criticizing lawmakers for a culture of corruption,…
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Why have a special session on reform?
Since the call for a special session for reform, some critics (i.e. Mark Cohen and Governor Rendell) oppose the idea, while others express support, but think it won’t do…
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Read More: Why have a special session on reform?Government Accountability
Cerberus’s three heads not speaking to each other
Rep. Babette Josephs, chairman of the House State Government Committee, and the Cerberus of the General Assembly is calling for a ban to bonuses – her ban.
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Harrisburg Political Corruption News
For everything you ever wanted to know about bonusgate, the Fumo trial, and scandal in Pennsylvania, check out this new blog – Harrisburg Political Corruption News. It looks to…
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Read More: Harrisburg Political Corruption NewsGovernment Accountability
Activists, Politicians Push Reform in Harrisburg
ABC 27 News video from yesterday’s press conference calling for a special session. Get our news release here.
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Read More: Activists, Politicians Push Reform in HarrisburgGovernment Accountability
A Call For Reform
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation joined Sen. Jeff Piccola, Rep. Eugene DePasquale, and several other lawmakers and reform groups in calling for a Special Session to address important legislative…
Press Release
Read More: A Call For ReformGovernment Accountability
Powerful Political Insiders
PolitickerPA released their list of Pennsylvania’s 50 most powerful political insiders. Topping the list is Pennsylvania AFL-CIO president William George. Be warned that the rankings were complied…
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Read More: Powerful Political InsidersGovernment Accountability
Mark Cohen takes on James Madison
In Federalist #51, James Madison writes of the need to create laws and instititutions to protect citizens against abuses by ambitious men in government: If men were angels,…
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Read More: Mark Cohen takes on James MadisonGovernment Accountability
Everyone calls for reform – Except Rendell
Following the bonusgate indictments, there have been many more calls for action to clean up Pennsylvania state government, some from familiar voices, some from new members of the choir…
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