Government Accountability
Dems are determined to stop voter ID, even if it comes at the expense of their top legislative goal
Originally published at City & State PA For two months, Democrats and left-wing activists stonewalled the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to prevent a vote on the voter ID and…
Read More: Dems are determined to stop voter ID, even if it comes at the expense of their top legislative goalThe state government is ultimately held accountable to the people through the electoral process—but that should not be the only line of defense against government overreach or waste. Taxpayers deserve a transparent government that works for them. Reforms are needed to reduce corruption and limit the scope of government to its constitutional authority. Additionally, reforms that ensure a transparent budgeting process, a fair electoral process, and a streamlined regulatory process should be pursued to increase the government’s integrity.
Government Accountability
Agreed: Public Resources Should not be used for Politics
“Public resources are not supposed to be used for partisan political purposes.” So says Barry Kauffman of Common Cause PA in a Tribune Review article. What Mr. Kauffman…
Media
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Government Unions’ Political Power Persists
While labor unions nationwide have been on the defensive for the past few decades—especially in light of pro-worker measures in states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana—Pennsylvania remains a bastion of…
Media
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The Real Cost of Paycheck Protection
Critics of paycheck protection claim that the practice of our government deducting union dues and campaign contributions from workers’ paychecks “only costs $100.” That’s based on a letter from Treasurer…
Media
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Students Win over Seniority Laws
Big news out of California, where a state judge struck down that state’s teacher seniority and tenure laws. The lawsuit was filed by 9 students who believed that…
Media
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Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!
Happy Tax Freedom Day! It took from January 1 until today for Pennsylvanians to have earned enough income to pay off their federal, state, and local taxes for the year. …
Media
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Government Unions’ Political Power Grows
Despite claims that union dues aren’t used for politics, the amount Pennsylvania’s five largest government unions reported spending from union dues on “political activities and lobbying” increased in…
Media
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State House to Tackle Union Violence
Federal charges of racketeering and arson against several Philadelphia union members, who called themselves The Helpful Union Guys (or T.H.U.G.s) has renewed interest in closing a loophole in…
Media
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Union Spokesmen Still Lying About Paycheck Protection
Yesterday, I pointed out that union leaders would use every bogeyman and slogan in their playbook rather than explain why taxpayers should collect their political money. As if on…
Media
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Unions Stage Political Rally (Funded with Taxpayer-Collected Union Dues)
This morning, union bosses and hundreds of union members stormed the Capitol to protect their unfair political privilege. Threatened by legislation that would level the playing field—ending the taxpayer-funded collection…
Media
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Government Unions Bosses United for Political Attack Ads
Politics PA reported last week that a group called “Americans United for Change” is targeting four Pennsylvania Congressmen (Charlie Dent, Joe Pitts, Mike Fitzpatrick, and Pat Meehan) in their…
Media
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Paycheck Protection Garners National Attention
The effort to protect Pennsylvania’s union members and taxpayers from union bosses is grabbing national attention in major papers. Both the Wall Street Journal (paywall) and Investor’s Business…
Media
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Answering the Critics About Paycheck Protection
Under current law and contracts, it’s permissible for a school district’s personnel office to act as the collection agent for Political Action Committee contributions and membership dues…
Memo
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Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics
One of the biggest myths used to oppose paycheck protection is the claim “union dues money can’t be used for politics” despite all evidence…
Media
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Obama Supporter Soured by Obamacare Ordeal
Lynn Larrick doesn't fit the usual profile of someone angry with President Obama. She's a staunch Democrat, a retired Philadelphia teacher, and a union member. But when she—like more than…
Commentary
Read More: Obama Supporter Soured by Obamacare OrdealEducation
School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?
Pennsylvania earned a “C+” for providing citizens information on how public schools spend money, according to a recent report from the Cato Institute titled “Cracking the…
Media
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Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord
State Treasurer Rob McCord received endorsements for governor last week from two government unions—UFCW 1776 and AFSCME. That means big money from union PACs to his campaign. The…
Media
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TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare
In a scathing investigative report, Chris Papst at CBS 21 revealed a widespread culture in Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare (DPW)—and orders from supervisors—to look past fraudulent claims to enroll…
Media
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PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!
This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its annual report. In case reading a 56-page government document isn’t in your weekend plans, here are my notes: Their stated…
Media
Read More: PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!Education
Voters Support Education Reform
Pennsylvania parents and voters want education reform. A new poll from StudentsFirst shows that Pennsylvania families strongly support educational reforms, including incentives for high performing teachers (74 percent support),…
Media
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Yes, Union Dues Fund Politics
Pennsylvania law grants government unions special privileges available to no other private organizations in the state. Union dues and even Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions are automatically deducted from…
Media
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Government Unions’ Unfair Political Privilege
Taxpayer resources should not be used for any political purposes. Every citizen and every organization—including government unions—should have an equal opportunity to engage in policy debates through a level playing field for…
Fact Sheet
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