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
Are term limits working in Michigan?
Government Bytes (the blog for NTU) points to an article (with poll) that suggests term limits for Michigan legislators should be repealed. The rationale? “Of the 3,551 bills…
Media
Read More: Are term limits working in Michigan?Government Accountability
Lawmakers who blog
Tony Phyrillas comments on PA lawmakers who blog (based on a Stateline article). They include Sen. Eichelberger, whose blog I read daily, Rep. White, who I…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers who blogGovernment Accountability
Secret budget meetings have begun
John Micek reports on (and mocks) Governor Rendell’s press conference on the state budget yesterday: Rendell and some House Democrats called for an end to the annual posturing…
Media
Read More: Secret budget meetings have begunPublic Union Democracy
Dad declares war on teachers union
Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes is profiled in the Courier Times…
Media
Read More: Dad declares war on teachers unionGovernment Accountability
No Lame Duck Session in 2008
The PA Senate Republican leadership announced they will not be a lame duck session in 08. Bob Regola, prime sponsor of a Constitutional Amendment banning lame duck sessions, offers…
Media
Read More: No Lame Duck Session in 2008Government Accountability
Cerberus keeps another reform in Limbo
Tracy Mauriello of the Post-Gazette reports that House State Government Committee chair Babette Josephs (who I termed the Cerberus of the General Assembly) tabled a bill on redistricting…
Media
Read More: Cerberus keeps another reform in LimboGovernment Accountability
Fumo makes Reader’s Digest list of corrupt pols
Congratulations are in order for Senator Vince Fumo, who was named “one of the most crooked politicians in America” in this month’s Reader’s Digest, based on his 272…
Media
Read More: Fumo makes Reader’s Digest list of corrupt polsGovernment Accountability
Big government to blame for out-of-control lobbyists
Amanda Carpenter raises the point that lobbyists, for all their flaws, are not to blame for the corruption in Washington (or Harrisburg), but rather, it is unlimited government that…
Media
Read More: Big government to blame for out-of-control lobbyistsGovernment Accountability
Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expense
Philadelphia Inquirer article covers the price of lawmakers buying gas at taxpayer expense. There is also a list of who drives taxpayer subsidized, non-hybrid SUVs (i.e. gas guzzlers).
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Read More: Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expenseEducation
NEA on the Presidential Candidates
The National Education Association put out their candidate guide, giving both the candidates’ positions and the NEA’s positions on power grabs for union leaders education issues. Here is the…
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Read More: NEA on the Presidential CandidatesGovernment Accountability
Cerberus Responds
Responding to my commentary today, Rep. Babbette Josephs – who I termed the Cerberus of the General Assembly – issued a news release defending her record, and…
Media
Read More: Cerberus RespondsGovernment Accountability
The Cerberus of the General Assembly
In Greek Mythology, the river Styx separates the earth from Hades. A giant three-headed dog named Cerberus guards the river, allowing the dead to enter Hades, but preventing anyone—save a…
Commentary
Read More: The Cerberus of the General AssemblyGovernment Accountability
Taxpayer bill in Bonusgate grows
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that legal fees in the Bonusgate scandal now top $1 million – $700,000 by House Democrats. Yes, that is taxpayer-funded lawyers to defend politicians…
Media
Read More: Taxpayer bill in Bonusgate growsPublic Union Democracy
In Defense of RINO Hunting
Pat Toomey lowers the hammer in the Wall Street Journal on the Republican establishment-types, who just want to win elections, regardless of policy, vision, or principles (note: this is…
Media
Read More: In Defense of RINO HuntingGovernment Accountability
NTU calls for Spending Transparency in PA
The National Taxpayers Unions has sent a letter encouraging passage of a spending transparency website. The legislation, SB 1350, was introduced by Sen. Browne in April. For more…
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Read More: NTU calls for Spending Transparency in PAPublic Union Democracy
Endorsing Obama = End of Corruption
Wall Street Journal article on Barack Obama’s support for reducing oversight of the Teamsters. Says Obama, “organized crime influence in the union has drastically declined.” (HT Amanda Carpenter).
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Read More: Endorsing Obama = End of CorruptionPublic Union Democracy
Right-to-Work leads to Economic Growth
The Mackinac Center has a brief analysis the economic climate of Right to Work states and Forced Unionism states. Mark Perry sums it up nicely: What are…
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Read More: Right-to-Work leads to Economic GrowthGovernment Accountability
Fumo: fighting to keep slavery outlawed
State Senator Vince Fumo said Tuesday that “If we introduced a bill on slavery, it might pass …I know some people up here, especially on a secret ballot, it would…
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Read More: Fumo: fighting to keep slavery outlawedGovernment Accountability
Show Me the Spending, PA
Sen. Browne has introduced legislation that would create a free, online database of state spending (contracts and grants over $25,000) along with details about individual line items in the…
Media
Read More: Show Me the Spending, PAGovernment Accountability
A Tale of Two Agencies
It is neither the “best of times” nor the “worst of times” in Pennsylvania, yet there is “A Tale of Two Agencies” when it comes to the…
Commentary
Read More: A Tale of Two AgenciesGovernment Accountability
One of these people is going to be president
Jonathan Garthwaite points out that the three leading presidential candidates all made their last attempt to reach out to the “common man” in advance of today’s PA primary by…
Media
Read More: One of these people is going to be president