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.
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Government Accountability
Intern at Commonwealth Foundation through Koch Fellows Program
The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program is offering State-Based Policy Internships. Students interested in interning at the Commonwealth Foundation this summer need to apply by Jan…
Media
Read More: Intern at Commonwealth Foundation through Koch Fellows ProgramGovernment Accountability
Campaign Finance Limits Destroy Democracy
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court recently upheld Philadelphia's law limiting the amount of money that an individual can contribute to a political candidate. While advocates of campaign contribution limits cheered the…
Commentary
Read More: Campaign Finance Limits Destroy DemocracyGovernment Accountability
Rendell Commits $126 Million in Secret Letters
Democracy Rising on the fundraising letters sent by Governor Rendell (most during the 2006 campaign) promising taxpayer funding to a variety of corporations.
Media
Read More: Rendell Commits $126 Million in Secret LettersPublic Union Democracy
Workers’ Rights Model Legislation
Evergreen Freedom Foundation has released a new report with model legislation to protect workers’ rights – including paycheck protection, right to work, and others.
Media
Read More: Workers’ Rights Model LegislationGovernment Accountability
States Resist REAL ID Implementation
Budget & Tax News update on pushback from states (and in Congress) against the REAL ID, with deadlines looming.
Media
Read More: States Resist REAL ID ImplementationGovernment Accountability
Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records?
PassOpenRecords.org asks if letters from Governor Rendell promising state funds to a variety of projects would be considered open records. They are looking for readers to comment on that…
Media
Read More: Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records?Government Accountability
Lawmakers Spend Hundreds Of Thousands To See If They Misspent Money
WGAL reports that state lawmakers spent $300,000 (mostly from House Democrats) on legal fees relating to the bonusgate investigation. The headline basically says it all. Props to freshmen Eugene…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Spend Hundreds Of Thousands To See If They Misspent MoneyGovernment Accountability
Reform is not a Rendell priority
So says Tony Phyrillas, in response to Governor Rendell’s put-down of a special session on public integrity.
Media
Read More: Reform is not a Rendell priorityGovernment Accountability
Integrity in Government Special Session
The Commonwealth Foundation and nine other organizations have asked Governor Rendell to call a special session to deal with integrity in Goverment. Here is the info, courtesy Democracy Rising…
Media
Read More: Integrity in Government Special SessionGovernment Accountability
Fluid races could make Pa.’s late primary important
Peter Jackson commentary on the potential “influence” of the PA primary in April. While there has been a push to move the primary up in the calendar so that…
Media
Read More: Fluid races could make Pa.’s late primary importantGovernment Accountability
Senate Open Records Reform: Good, But Can Be Better
State government watchdogs provide input on proposed SB 1 changes HARRISBURG – The effort to overhaul Pennsylvania’s Open Records law will take center stage at the rescheduled Senate State Government…
Press Release
Read More: Senate Open Records Reform: Good, But Can Be BetterGovernment Accountability
Campaign Finance Limits & Public Funding
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would limit campaign contributions and would allow for taxpayer financing of gubernatorial campaigns. This legislation is based on the “Clean Election” model passed by…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Campaign Finance Limits & Public FundingGovernment Accountability
Campaign Finance “Reform” is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Benefield; I am the Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research and educational institution based in Harrisburg. I…
Testimony
Read More: Campaign Finance “Reform” is a Wolf in Sheep’s ClothingGovernment Accountability
Pat Toomey Joins Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Foundation
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation—Pennsylvania’s free-market public policy think tank—announced the election of former Pennsylvania Congressman Pat Toomey to its Board of Directors. “We are honored to add…
Press Release
Read More: Pat Toomey Joins Board of Directors of the Commonwealth FoundationGovernment Accountability
4 Bills In 5 Months
WGAL (NBC 8) with a story on the sluggish pace of the full time Pennsylvania legislature. So far this year, they have passed only 4 bills – two renaming…
Media
Read More: 4 Bills In 5 MonthsGovernment Accountability
Empowering Citizens through Legislative Redistricting & Initiative & Referendum
Thank you Chairman Piccola and members of the Senate State Government Committee for the opportunity to share with you the position and opinions of the Commonwealth Foundation on Senate Bills…
Testimony
Read More: Empowering Citizens through Legislative Redistricting & Initiative & ReferendumGovernment Accountability
Memo to Senate State Government Committee Members
MEMORANDUM TO: Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee Members (Senators Piccola, Folmer, A. Williams, Scarnati, Brubaker, Corman, Punt, McIhinney, Fontana, Hughes, and Tartaglione) FROM: Commonwealth Foundation, Democracy Rising PA, Rock the…
Commentary
Read More: Memo to Senate State Government Committee MembersGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Need Protection
Delivered on Thursday, April 26, 2007 Good morning Chairman Corman, Senator Regola, and Senator Folmer. It is indeed a pleasure and an honor to be able to come before you…
Testimony
Read More: Taxpayers Need ProtectionGovernment Accountability
In Support of a Limited Constitutional Convention
Delivered on Monday, March 26, 2007 Thank you Chairman Piccola and members of the Senate State Government Committee for the opportunity to share with you the position of the…
Commentary
Read More: In Support of a Limited Constitutional ConventionGovernment Accountability
The Elections Big Winner: Reform
Did voters reject Republicans and embrace Democrats in the 2006 elections? Of course; the gains in seats held by Democrats (both nationally and statewide) suggest they did. But the reasons…
Commentary
Read More: The Elections Big Winner: ReformGovernment Accountability
Majority believes government doing too much
A poll showing what everyone already knew, including CNN – except lawmakers at the federal and state level, who (in the words of John McCain) “have increased government in…
Media
Read More: Majority believes government doing too much