Fairness
Op-Ed: Paycheck protection needed to prevent government payroll from funding partisan political activism
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Under Pennsylvania law, government agencies are permitted to use taxpayer resources to collect and distribute political campaign money on behalf of public employee unions.
Read More: Op-Ed: Paycheck protection needed to prevent government payroll from funding partisan political activismPennsylvania 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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Public Union Democracy
Pa. Leads the Nation in Teacher Strikes
This report compares Pennsylvania's strike laws to other states, and highlights the impact on teachers and students.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pa. Leads the Nation in Teacher StrikesPublic Union Democracy
4 Facts on Pennsylvania Teacher Strikes
Between the nearly averted strike in Pittsburgh and statewide strikes in West Virginia and Oklahoma, the validity of teacher strikes is once again up for debate. Here are four facts…
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Gov. Wolf Receives $8 Million from Government Union PACs
As the 2018 election season gains momentum, Governor Wolf’s campaign friends are ramping up their financial support–and Pennsylvania taxpayers have helped them. Since his first campaign in 2013, Governor Wolf…
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The Call for Contract Transparency Continues
An ABC27 special investigation asks a simple question: “Would you pay a bill before you saw it?” Most people would answer with a resounding no. Yet, as the report highlights, that’s exactly…
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Read More: The Call for Contract Transparency ContinuesGovernment Accountability
The Ethics Reform Pa. Should Prioritize
Governor Wolf recently revealed more details of his “Citizens First” plan to reform campaign finance laws and gerrymandering practices. This follows the state Supreme Court’s controversial decision to redraw…
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Read More: The Ethics Reform Pa. Should PrioritizePublic Union Democracy
Pa. Government Union Politics: $114 Million Since 2007
The data affirms—government unions are among Pennsylvania’s most powerful political players. From 2007-17, the commonwealth’s top government unions spent more than $114.8 million on politics.
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Read More: Pa. Government Union Politics: $114 Million Since 2007Government Accountability
Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many Problems
Today, Gov. Wolf introduced a slew of “government reforms” to tackle Pennsylvania’s corruption problem. Here is our quick take on each. Gift Ban In theory, this seems like a…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many ProblemsGovernment Accountability
Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should Pursue
Governor Wolf unveiled today his Citizens First Ethics Plan, which should cause Pennsylvanians to wonder, how willing is the governor to truly pursue ethics reform? The plan includes a…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should PursueEducation
Pittsburgh Teachers’ Strike Averted, but Transparency is Still Needed
After nearly nine months without a contract, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) and Pittsburgh Public Schools have tentatively reached an agreement, which will stave off this Friday’s impending…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Teachers’ Strike Averted, but Transparency is Still NeededEducation
Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?
Yesterday the Educational Nominating Panel for Philadelphia’s new school board voted to recommend board candidates to Mayor Kenney. Here is who made the list: Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Jenne Ayers,…
Media
Read More: Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?Public Union Democracy
Pa. Teachers Support Worker Freedom Case Before Supreme
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in a historic case, Janus v. AFSCME, that could free thousands of Pennsylvania teachers and other government workers from workplace coercion.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Teachers Support Worker Freedom Case Before SupremePublic Union Democracy
What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers
The Case Plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME contend compulsory union fees for public-sector workers violates their First Amendment rights. The Players Plaintiffs: Mark Janus,…
Media
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Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam
Imagine being disabled or sick and requiring help to bathe, eat, and even move from room to room within your own home. Medicaid, a taxpayer-funded health insurance program helps pay…
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Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members
Unionization doesn’t guarantee representation. Penn State graduate assistants may soon learn this lesson. Shortly after the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled the graduate assistants can unionize, the Pittsburgh Federation…
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Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations
“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” These words are as true today as…
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Are PA Courts Biased Against Employers?
Every year, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) produces a report announcing the “Judicial Hellholes” across the nation. In the 2017 edition, Pennsylvania makes their list- twice. The…
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Read More: Are PA Courts Biased Against Employers?Government Accountability
Restoring State Budget Transparency
A House appropriations subcommittee hosted a hearing last week on Pennsylvania’s tax structure and fiscal policy. One of the issues highlighted – Pennsylvania’s lack of state budget transparency. Robert P.
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New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School District
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney recently appointed a 13-member nominating panel that will shape the district’s new school board. High on the panel’s list of requirements should be instilling a…
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Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal Groups
No one should be forced to fund values they disagree with—yet that’s exactly what’s happening to union members. Dues collected from workers’ paychecks, often at taxpayer expense, are used for…
Media
Read More: Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal GroupsPublic Union Democracy
2017 Labor Reform Roundup
Is Pennsylvania a worker-friendly state? According to our updated, comprehensive report grading each state’s public sector labor laws’, the answer is no. Pennsylvania ranks a measly “D” compared to others…
Media
Read More: 2017 Labor Reform RoundupEducation
Taxpayers Notch Another Win Against Ghost Teaching
Reading residents received an early Christmas present this week, as the city’s teachers’ union agreed to reimburse taxpayers for the costs of ghost teaching in the Reading School District.
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