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.

Public Union Democracy

Todd Palin is Bankrolling Efforts to Defeat His Wife

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 4, 2008

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 Wife

Government Accountability

Open the Books on Government Spending

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 4, 2008

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 Spending

Government Accountability

Push for reform coming up short

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 1, 2008

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 short

Public Union Democracy

The Card-Check Party

  • September 1, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

BonusGate update and questions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 31, 2008

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 questions

Government Accountability

Thomas Jefferson: Blogger

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 27, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 27, 2008

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)?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 26, 2008

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

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 25, 2008

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 House

Government Accountability

A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial Memorandum

  • August 23, 2008

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 Memorandum

Government Accountability

California Lawmaker Kicked Out of Capitol

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

Missouri study of merit selection of judges

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

Is Pennsylvania Ready for a Constitutional Convention?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 20, 2008

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

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • August 19, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

Reform doesn’t mean suing to get candidates off the ballot

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 19, 2008

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 ballot

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania not only state looking at Constitutional Convention

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 19, 2008

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 Convention

Public Union Democracy

Just Say No to Card Checks

  • August 8, 2008

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 Checks

Government Accountability

Reform Update

  • August 6, 2008

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

Government Accountability

Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 6, 2008

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…

Media

Read More: Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy

Government Accountability

Bonusgate, corruption, and reform news

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 5, 2008

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…

Media

Read More: Bonusgate, corruption, and reform news