Public Union Democracy
Unions and the Federal Workforce: Challenges and Reforms
In this insightful episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report, host David Osborne is joined by James Sherk, the Director of the Center for American Freedom, to delve into public…
Read More: Unions and the Federal Workforce: Challenges and ReformsPennsylvania 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
Book Review: Leave us Alone
I am blogging from Seattle, where I am attending a conference on government transparency. One of the best aspects of flying across the county is catching up on some reading.
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“Per Diems” Add Up
RocktheCapital has analyzed and released expense reports for one lawmaker, David Argall of Schuykill County, finding that he collected $15,000 in “per diems” (compensation above and beyond salary, ostensibly…
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Read More: “Per Diems” Add UpGovernment Accountability
Brouillette to moderate forum on P3s in transportation
Matthew J. Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation will moderate a forum on public-private partnerships and the potential role they can play in helping Pennsylvania meet its transportation…
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Join us on Facebook
The Commonwealth Foundation has a New Page on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user (or want to sign up to see what all the kids are…
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Read More: Join us on FacebookGovernment Accountability
Why the capital budget process needs to be reformed
Here is a response I posted on GrassrootsPA to the defenders of the $13 billion in capital budget projects who state essentially “It isn’t that bad, because not all…
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Read More: Why the capital budget process needs to be reformedGovernment Accountability
Philadelphia Parking Authority to face scrutiny
One the most wasteful, patronage-ridden, and shady government entities – the Philadelphia Parking Authority – will face investigation into its practices, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Like many other agencies…
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Salaries for 120,000 PA teachers
Stop Teacher Strikes has the data here.
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Merit Selection Not so Meritorious?
Intriguing article in the Wall Street Journal on merit selection of judges, and John Grisham’s latest novel, (HT to PA Clean Sweep), that is timely given…
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Wisconsin’s Virtual Schools Could Close this Summer
Intriguing piece in School Reform News on how the Wisconsin teachers’ union is also working to undermine cyber schools – rather than targeting funding, they are going after cyber…
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Read More: Wisconsin’s Virtual Schools Could Close this SummerGovernment Accountability
Merit Selection of Judges Blog
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts has a new blog focusing on merit selection of judges at judgesonmerit.org. Personally I’m not yet persuaded by the merit selection arguments (see previous posts…
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Capitol staffers get their own pay raise
Jan Murphy in the Patriot has a look at big pay increases, and big salaries for some legislative staffers following the end of bonuses. While Eric Epstein points…
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A Conservative Approach To Universal Health Care
Forbes article on the NFIB’s proposed health care agenda which includes allowing individuals to purchase health insurance coverage over state lines, tax deductions for individually purchased insurance, tort…
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Opportunities with the Commonwealth Foundation
The Commonwealth Foundation is looking for a Research Associate, a Communications Associate, and a Development/Marketing Associate through the 2008-09 Koch Associate Program! If you’re interested, in working the the Commonwealth…
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Twenty-two disgraced governors
Stateline.org has the complete list of governors to leave office (resigned or impeached) because of scandal or legal problems.
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State paid law firms $111 million for advice
Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette reports that Pennsylvania taxpayers have paid law firms $111 million for legal advice to state government under the Rendell administration (note: I believe this…
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Fumo to retire
Senator Vince Fumo, the subject of many PolicyBlog stories will reportedly be retiring; read the Pennsyltucky Politics blurb.
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Teachers Unions Exposed
TeachersUnionExposed.com is a new website (from the Center for Union Facts) focusing on teachers’s unions role in blocking education reform, bargaining away quality, and protecting bad teachers. They…
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PSU Study: Whites still think Blacks are apes
In addition to commenting on policy issues, I also like to comment on some of very weird, esoteric studies conducted by academic researchers. The most recent is this study…
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Campaign-Finance Breakdown
John Lott and Bradley Smith in the Wall Street Journal on taxpayer-financing of presidential elections: Since 1976, taxpayers have shelled out about $3 billion in current dollars to…
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Influence-Peddling
John Stossel on Townhall.com on the rhetoric against “special interests” and “corporate lobbyists” in Washington (also applicable to Harrisburg): None of the reforms gets near root of the…
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Read More: Influence-PeddlingPublic Union Democracy
Texas v. Ohio
Wall Street Journal article contrasts the economic fortunes between Texas (good) and Ohio (bad), and explores some of the reasons behind this – namely taxes (Texas=low, Ohio=high and increasing)…
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