The 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

Czars of Zinfandel Pour More Down Drain

  • August 10, 2012

Need some Zeppelin with your zinfandel, Coldplay with your chardonnay or Seger with your Seagrams?  Well, wait no more music and driving fans, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has a…

Media

Read More: Czars of Zinfandel Pour More Down Drain

Government Accountability

Reverse Robin Hoods Charged at DPW

  • August 8, 2012

Earlier this year when CF took on welfare fraud and abuse within the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, angry e-mails, phone calls and adverse editorial rhetoric came pouring in, calling…

Media

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Government Accountability

Flava Flav-style Facts Foil Dimock Disaster Drama

  • July 26, 2012

As Public Enemy taught my generation:  Don’t believe the hype!  That’s never been truer than in digesting the jaw-dropping Dimock disaster drama dumped on the Pennsylvania public…

Media

Read More: Flava Flav-style Facts Foil Dimock Disaster Drama

Government Accountability

‘Shocked and Appalled’ by PLCB

  • July 24, 2012

You’ve heard of shock and awe?  Well here is ‘shock and appalled,’ brought to you by the duplicitous, doublespeaking Deacons of Distilleries who are at it again, this time dumping…

Media

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Government Accountability

Union Privileges Fuel More Money in Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 16, 2012

Turns out not everything is bigger in Texas. The Lone Star State has twice the population of Pennsylvania, yet when it comes to political spending, Pennsylvania’s labor unions can outgun…

Media

Read More: Union Privileges Fuel More Money in Politics

Government Accountability

Why Walker’s Win Pushes Principled Pa. Policies

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 6, 2012

Make no mistake, Wisconsin is sending a message to the Keystone State. If you are a Pennsylvania politician, that message is loud, clear and ignored only at your own peril.

Media

Read More: Why Walker’s Win Pushes Principled Pa. Policies

Government Accountability

Pa. Teachers Forced to Pay for Wisconsin Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2012

Want to find out how the Pennsylvania State Education Association is spending teachers’ dues?  You chould check out the state of Wisconsin’s campaign finance disclosure site. That’s right, the…

Media

Read More: Pa. Teachers Forced to Pay for Wisconsin Politics

Government Accountability

Liquor’s Lap of Luxury a Laughingstock

  • May 7, 2012

With grand style on your dime, the ponderous Princes of Pinot are noses and palms up choosing what wine and liquor you will and will not consume in the Keystone…

Media

Read More: Liquor’s Lap of Luxury a Laughingstock

Government Accountability

I Did It for Them – Did You?

  • April 24, 2012

There’s no hiding it, I don’t even try.  I’m proud to be an American veteran and to be a part of something so much larger than myself through serving in…

Media

Read More: I Did It for Them – Did You?

Government Accountability

Why I’m Voting Tuesday

  • April 23, 2012

I have a confession to make: A couple of years ago, I didn’t vote in the primary.  I had started a new job, was taking night classes, and had just…

Media

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Government Accountability

Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!

  • April 20, 2012

You've surely heard it said that you and I have a right to vote.  Well, I believe we also have a responsibility—not just to vote, but to cast an informed…

Commentary

Read More: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!

Government Accountability

The Left’s Latest Witch Hunt

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 20, 2012

The Wall Street Journal and Pennsylvania Independent both feature stories about attacks from leftist groups against the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The free-market association of state lawmakers…

Media

Read More: The Left’s Latest Witch Hunt

Government Accountability

Veterans: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!

  • April 20, 2012

Why should you vote in the upcoming elections? Hear from three generations of combat veterans, all from the same Pennsylvania hometown, who speak of the selfless sacrifice of our…

Media

Read More: Veterans: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!

Government Accountability

Think Government Union Dues aren’t Used for Politics? Think Again

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2012

Government unions often defend their dues—and the fact that taxpayers subsidize the collection of dues—by claiming dues cannot be used for politics. That is not the case. Union dues cannot…

Media

Read More: Think Government Union Dues aren’t Used for Politics? Think Again

Government Accountability

National Popular Vote: Radical Shift in Elections

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 13, 2012

Yesterday, the House Republic Policy Committee held a hearing on National Popular Vote (NPV). If passed, Pennsylvania would join a compact of states agreeing to award their electoral votes…

Media

Read More: National Popular Vote: Radical Shift in Elections

Government Accountability

The Squeeze: Government Unions’ Grip on Pennsylvanians

  • Priya Brannick
  • March 5, 2012

Pennsylvania's government unions wield tremendous political influence and advance policies that harm the commonwealth's taxpayers, children, and even their own members. Pennsylvania is a forced union state, meaning even workers…

Report

Read More: The Squeeze: Government Unions’ Grip on Pennsylvanians

Government Accountability

Does Pennsylvania Need Fewer Legislators?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2012

A proposal to reduce the Pennsylvania State House from 203 representatives to 153 will be voted on in the coming weeks by the House. The proposal is certainly…

Media

Read More: Does Pennsylvania Need Fewer Legislators?

Government Accountability

Teachers’ Union Dues at Leisure

  • Priya Brannick
  • January 3, 2012

A full-time teacher and member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association pays $654 a year in union dues to state, national and local affiliates of the union. While part-time teachers…

Media

Read More: Teachers’ Union Dues at Leisure

Government Accountability

Top 10 Posts of 2011

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 30, 2011

For your “year in review” pleasure, here are the most popular CF articles and research papers of 2011, based on readership: Citizens Guide to Electric Choice and Competition…

Media

Read More: Top 10 Posts of 2011

Government Accountability

More on Hellholes, of the Judicial Sort

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 21, 2011

The yearly Judicial Hellhole report from the American Tort Reform Foundation ranks Philadelphia as the number one judicial hellhole for the second year in a row. Pennsylvania’s court…

Media

Read More: More on Hellholes, of the Judicial Sort

Government Accountability

Redistricting Reform Needed…Four Years Ago

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 20, 2011

The Pennsylvania House is expected this week to to pass the Congressional redistricting bill. House Democrats, in the minority, are complaining about the gerrymandering of the new map.

Media

Read More: Redistricting Reform Needed…Four Years Ago