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

Fluid races could make Pa.’s late primary important

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2008

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 important

Government Accountability

Senate Open Records Reform: Good, But Can Be Better

  • October 28, 2007

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 Better

Government Accountability

Campaign Finance Limits & Public Funding

  • August 15, 2007

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

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Government Accountability

Campaign Finance “Reform” is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 14, 2007

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 Clothing

Government Accountability

Pat Toomey Joins Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Foundation

  • August 6, 2007

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 Foundation

Government Accountability

4 Bills In 5 Months

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 6, 2007

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 Months

Government Accountability

Memo to Senate State Government Committee Members

  • May 7, 2007

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 Members

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Need Protection

  • May 3, 2007

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

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Government Accountability

In Support of a Limited Constitutional Convention

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 28, 2007

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 Convention

Government Accountability

The Elections Big Winner: Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2006

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: Reform

Government Accountability

Majority believes government doing too much

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 30, 2006

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

Government Accountability

The Sanford Model

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 30, 2006

Wall Street Journal uncovers that there is at least one fiscal conservative remaining in the Republican Party.

Media

Read More: The Sanford Model

Public Union Democracy

Right To Work States Benefit from Faster Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 26, 2006

Data sheet from the National Institute for Labor Relations Research show how Right to Work states have faster economic growth and greater purchasing power than Forced-Unionism States (including…

Media

Read More: Right To Work States Benefit from Faster Growth

Government Accountability

Late-night legislating reawakens reformers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 26, 2006

Patriot News article on the late night shenanigans of our General Assembly. Also read our News Release on the manner in which “Cover All Kids” was passed. Eric…

Media

Read More: Late-night legislating reawakens reformers

Government Accountability

What to do about mediocre political leaders

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 24, 2006

TCS Daily – The Leadership Myth: “We have to expect mediocrity from political leaders. …The libertarian view is that private institutions, both for-profit and non-profit, are better at…

Media

Read More: What to do about mediocre political leaders

Government Accountability

General reassembly

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2006

The York Daily Record series of editorials on the merits of a state Constitutional Convention and other governmental reforms.

Media

Read More: General reassembly

Government Accountability

House limits access to roll calls during session

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2006

UPDATED: According to Capitolwire.com, access to roll call votes have been restored and The Speaker also wrote the House is exploring ways “to provide the public with real time access…

Media

Read More: House limits access to roll calls during session

Government Accountability

Judge sues to refuse pay raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin’s lawsuit to not have her pay raised. I guess she doesn’t agree with Chief Justice Cappy that judges are…

Media

Read More: Judge sues to refuse pay raise

Government Accountability

A Tale of Two GOPs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

Wall Street Journal editorial points out that Republicans are in strong shape in places where they stuck to the conservative principles they campaigned on (Florida) and are in deep…

Media

Read More: A Tale of Two GOPs