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.

Government Accountability

Fumo makes Reader’s Digest list of corrupt pols

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 27, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

Big government to blame for out-of-control lobbyists

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 27, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expense

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 19, 2008

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).

Media

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Education

NEA on the Presidential Candidates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 16, 2008

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…

Media

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Government Accountability

Cerberus Responds

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 14, 2008

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 Responds

Government Accountability

The Cerberus of the General Assembly

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 14, 2008

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 Assembly

Government Accountability

Taxpayer bill in Bonusgate grows

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 13, 2008

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 grows

Public Union Democracy

In Defense of RINO Hunting

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 8, 2008

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 Hunting

Government Accountability

NTU calls for Spending Transparency in PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2008

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…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Endorsing Obama = End of Corruption

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2008

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).

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Right-to-Work leads to Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 2, 2008

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…

Media

Read More: Right-to-Work leads to Economic Growth

Government Accountability

Fumo: fighting to keep slavery outlawed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 30, 2008

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…

Media

Read More: Fumo: fighting to keep slavery outlawed

Government Accountability

Show Me the Spending, PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 24, 2008

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, PA

Government Accountability

A Tale of Two Agencies

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 23, 2008

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

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Government Accountability

One of these people is going to be president

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 22, 2008

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

Education

The teachers’ union still hates school choice

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 22, 2008

The head of the PSEA, the largest teacher union in the state, takes me to task for in a letter to the editor for proposing “private school vouchers” as…

Media

Read More: The teachers’ union still hates school choice

Government Accountability

The Keystone Primary Stakes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 21, 2008

Michael Barone has a interesting column in the Wall Street Journal about the Pennsylvania primary, with a good, quick synopisis of Pennsylvania’s political history.

Media

Read More: The Keystone Primary Stakes

Education

Which special interest is closest to state capitols?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 20, 2008

Education school Jay Greene launched a new blog on education policy with post on the proximity of teacher unions to state capitols. If you stand on…

Media

Read More: Which special interest is closest to state capitols?

Government Accountability

58 lawmakers who kept the pay raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 18, 2008

Rock the Capital has released their latest (final) update on the 2005 legislative pay raise – who took the unvouchered expenses, who kept them, who paid them back, who…

Media

Read More: 58 lawmakers who kept the pay raise

Government Accountability

“Easy” Real Change, by Newt Gingrich

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 18, 2008

As promised, here is my review of Newt Gingrich’s latest book, Real Change. This was a frustrating read for me. For starters, Newt’s premise is how we…

Media

Read More: “Easy” Real Change, by Newt Gingrich

Education

New Education Blog

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 16, 2008

The Fordham Foundation has launched a new blog on education called Flypaper. A couple good posts in their first two days are this one on highlighting “surprising” story…

Media

Read More: New Education Blog