Government Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation Launches Website Exposing Governor Shapiro’s Shady Activities
Harrisburg, Pa., October 9, 2023 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation launched a new webpage dedicated to exposing the myriad of shady actions that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has engaged in…
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Launches Website Exposing Governor Shapiro’s Shady ActivitiesThe 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.
Education
Millions Funneled to Lobbyists by Public Schools
Harrisburg, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation announced today preliminary results from extensive Open Records Requests that found more than $59 million dollars of taxpayer money is being funneled through…
Press Release
Read More: Millions Funneled to Lobbyists by Public SchoolsGovernment Accountability
Is Lawsuit Abuse Reform Coming to PA?
Pennsylvania is on its way to joining the 41 states that have either repealed or updated their joint and several liability law. HB 1, known as the Fair…
Media
Read More: Is Lawsuit Abuse Reform Coming to PA?Education
Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania
Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania represents a partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation and the department of economics at Duquesne University. Key findings in these five papers include Over…
Commentary
Read More: Public Policy and Free Enterprise in PennsylvaniaEducation
PA School District Uses Tax Dollars to Fight School Choice
The West Shore School District—my district, as it happens—has issued a “newsletter” with the clear, but unstated, goal of opposing Senate Bill…
Media
Read More: PA School District Uses Tax Dollars to Fight School ChoiceGovernment Accountability
Podcast: Talking Transparency
In the latest The BOX podcast, Senior Fellow Jeff Coleman sits down with Representative Jim Christiana after the unanimous passage of his transparency legislation in the State House.
Media
Read More: Podcast: Talking TransparencyEducation
Union Dues for More Lobbyists
Last month, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) announced it was raising mandatory dues on teachers and school employees by 11%. Where is that money going? You’d better believe…
Media
Read More: Union Dues for More LobbyistsGovernment Accountability
Spending Transparency on the Fast Track in PA
Yesterday, Rep. Christiana’s PennWATCH proposal passed the House State Government Committee along with a number of reform measures designed to bring more transparency to state spending. The legislation (HB 15) is scheduled…
Media
Read More: Spending Transparency on the Fast Track in PAGovernment Accountability
2011 Policy Summit Live Video
Watch the Commonwealth Foundation’s 2011 Policy Summit live, beginning at 1 p.m.
Media
Read More: 2011 Policy Summit Live VideoEducation
80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition. To provide a roadmap for…
Report
Read More: 80 Ideas for a Prosperous PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Good Government Reforms Stall
In November, many legislative candidates campaigned on cutting costs in the legislature through specific, commonsense reforms. Ending the frequent abuse of per diems and requiring receipts for expenses topped the list,…
Media
Read More: Good Government Reforms StallGovernment Accountability
Are Freshmen Lawmakers Bad for State Legislatures?
Governing magazine looks at the disadvantages to term limits, focusing on the constant turnover in state legislatures. Recognizing the inexperience of lawmakers, states like Michigan and California are setting up…
Media
Read More: Are Freshmen Lawmakers Bad for State Legislatures?Government Accountability
Top Five CF Research Articles of 2010
Based on website visits, here are the five most popular research articles produced by the Commonwealth Foundation in the past year: #5: A Taxpayer’s Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Top Five CF Research Articles of 2010Government Accountability
Top Five PolicyBlog Posts of 2010
Based on reader visits, here are our five most popular PolicyBlog posts over the past year: #5: 2010 SAT Scores by State The College Board has released the results of…
Media
Read More: Top Five PolicyBlog Posts of 2010Government Accountability
Philadelphia is Number 1 “Judical Hellhole” in US
Philadelphia has been named the number one “judicial hellhole” in a new ranking by the American Tort Reform Association. Philadelphia is a source of great concern due…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia is Number 1 “Judical Hellhole” in USGovernment Accountability
More Lawyers, Fewer Doctors
Our friends at the Pacific Research Institute have produced a short video series on “Jackpot Justice,” explaining how the civil-justice system has failed to protect good people and…
Media
Read More: More Lawyers, Fewer DoctorsGovernment Accountability
Legislators Refuse COLA Increase
Despite the fact that Pennsylvania faces a projected budget deficit of $5 billion, legislators in Harrisburg will receive their annual cost of living adjustment (COLA), aka pay raise. Based…
Media
Read More: Legislators Refuse COLA IncreaseGovernment Accountability
Lawsuit Lottery Must End
Upon taking office in January, Governor-elect Tom Corbett will face the burden of addressing the numerous economic and fiscal problems facing the Keystone State. One of the most pervasive is…
Commentary
Read More: Lawsuit Lottery Must EndGovernment Accountability
Best Legislative Session Ever?
Jan Murphy of the Patriot-News notes that the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Legislative Session had the fewest new laws passed in 24 years. Since most pieces of legislation are a new…
Media
Read More: Best Legislative Session Ever?Government Accountability
Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension Bailout
Dear CF Friend, We’ve just learned that the Pennsylvania House will be returning on Monday for a lame duck session, and will likely vote on a union…
Media
Read More: Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension BailoutGovernment Accountability
Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA House
Today, Speaker McCall called the Pennsylvania House back into voting session on November 15th. Members are expected to vote a couple of key pieces of legislation including the ill-conceived…
Media
Read More: Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA HouseGovernment Accountability
State Policies Sink Cities
Third-class cities (defined by population) in Pennsylvania, such as Lancaster, are hoping Governor-elect Tom Corbett will push legislation giving cities more autonomy from the state. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce…
Media
Read More: State Policies Sink Cities