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.

Public Union Democracy

Who Benefits from Union Political Spending?

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 3, 2018

From teachers’ strikes to the significant U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, government unions catapulted into the national spotlight this year. Yet union direct political engagement has remained strong for…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Lawmakers Must Prioritize Pro-Worker Legislation

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 2, 2018

With a few session days left, lawmakers must prioritize legislation to align state law with federal law and tell workers their rights. HB 2571 enforces the U.S. Supreme Court decision…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Enforcing Janus

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 1, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME is a landmark decision for public sector workers—yet is not self-enforcing. It's time for Pennsylvania lawmakers to defend public sector employees' new-found rights…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Lawmakers and Union Leaders Attack Election Privacy

  • September 25, 2018

Today, Rep. Maureen Madden and Rep. Thomas Mehaffie introduced anti-worker legislation that would strip government workers of privacy rights in workplace elections and give union leaders workers’ personal information. HB…

Press Release

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Public Union Democracy

Legislation Moves to Enforce Workers’ Rights

  • Jessica Barnett
  • September 24, 2018

In the first full session day after the landmark Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court decision, the state House Labor Committee passed legislation to protect the rights of public sector…

Media

Read More: Legislation Moves to Enforce Workers’ Rights

Public Union Democracy

House Committee Advances Bills Giving Government Workers a Bigger Voice

  • September 24, 2018

Today, the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee passed several crucial bills supporting government workers’ constitutional rights. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that…

Press Release

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Criminal Justice Reform

Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life Sentences

  • September 21, 2018

In this second blog in our Safe and Smart series, we tackle Pennsylvania’s practice of sentencing offenders to life without parole (LWOP). LWOP is coming under greater scrutiny from people across the…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Lawmakers Can Stand Up for Home Care Workers

  • September 18, 2018

In early 2015 Governor Wolf issued an executive order unionizing home care workers throughout Pennsylvania, many of whom care for their own relatives. The state Supreme Court recently upheld the order. By…

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System

  • September 13, 2018

CF’s newest policy brief, Safer Communities, Smarter Spending, provides a unique look at the problems in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. The commonwealth’s incarceration rate is too high. Its supervision…

Media

Read More: Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System

Public Union Democracy

Time to Shed Light on New Workers’ Rights

  • Charles Mitchell
  • September 11, 2018

This Labor Day marks ten weeks since the Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that government employees should not be forced to pay a union or risk losing their…

Media

Read More: Time to Shed Light on New Workers’ Rights

Criminal Justice Reform

Safer Communities, Smarter Spending

  • September 11, 2018

About 95 percent of those confined to state prison will eventually re-enter society. This is why reformers must focus attention on reducing recidivism and balance "tough on crime" practices of the past…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Safer Communities, Smarter Spending

Public Union Democracy

Worker Empowerment Begins with Choice

  • Jessica Barnett
  • September 5, 2018

As Pennsylvanians return to work following Labor Day celebrations, it’s an appropriate time to ask: what does a fair, employee-focused workplace look like? It shouldn’t involve blocking workers’ ability to…

Media

Read More: Worker Empowerment Begins with Choice

Public Union Democracy

Four Teachers Finally Gain Control Over their Paycheck

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 4, 2018

Jane Ladley retired from teaching three years ago, but until two weeks ago the teachers union held part of her pay in escrow. Jane was a religious objector to…

Media

Read More: Four Teachers Finally Gain Control Over their Paycheck

Public Union Democracy

Pa. Supreme Court Allows Stealth Unionization of Home Care Workers

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 22, 2018

In 2015, Dave Smith and Don Lambrecht were catapulted to the center-stage of Pennsylvania policy, a role neither man ever wanted by fighting a threat to their way of life. Permanently…

Media

Read More: Pa. Supreme Court Allows Stealth Unionization of Home Care Workers

Public Union Democracy

Advancing Workplace Freedom For Public Employees

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 16, 2018

Efforts to enhance public sector workplace democracy has gained momentum in the Pennsylvania legislature. In Janus v. AFSCME, the Supreme Court restored workers’ freedom to stop paying fees to unions they…

Media

Read More: Advancing Workplace Freedom For Public Employees

Public Union Democracy

Union Resignation Guide

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 13, 2018

Are you dissatisfied with your union representation? If so, you have the power to resign your membership without paying an agency fee. Here are pointers to guide you through the process.

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.

  • August 9, 2018

Pennsylvania’s prohibition error(!) liquor system lends itself to corruption. The sentencing of former Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) official James Short serves as a stark reminder of this undeniable fact.

Media

Read More: Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.

Public Union Democracy

Restoring Public Sector Workers’ Resignation Rights

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 9, 2018

Many public sector employees remain unaware of their new-found rights to not pay fair share fees, while also facing onerous resignation restrictions. Luckily, lawmakers are working to promote workers' Janus…

Memo

Read More: Restoring Public Sector Workers’ Resignation Rights