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
Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government
HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement regarding yesterday’s general election: “Yesterday, millions of Pennsylvanians collectively hit the brakes on runaway government…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway GovernmentGovernment Accountability
PA Election Fun Facts
In case you missed our Election Night Live Blog last night, here are some highlights and fun facts. While Pat Toomey won the election for US Senate, he trailed…
Media
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Election Night Live Chat
Tonight, beginning at 4 pm until around midnight, we will be live blogging about the election results. In addition to CF’s team, the blog will feature PA Independent’s reporters,…
Media
Read More: Election Night Live ChatGovernment Accountability
Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?
Recent estimates put spending on midterm campaigns at over $3.6 billion nationally. That’s enough to buy 7.2 million I-pads, or roughly one dollar for every thousand spent by government.
Media
Read More: Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?Government Accountability
Former Rep. Jeff Coleman Rejoins Commonwealth Foundation
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation is pleased to announce that former State Representative Jeff Coleman has rejoined the Foundation as a senior fellow. Mr. Coleman was elected to the…
Press Release
Read More: Former Rep. Jeff Coleman Rejoins Commonwealth FoundationGovernment Accountability
Get Ready to Be Amazed
In Lancaster County, PA, local government officials have done the inconceivable—they’ve given up their raises. Strasburg Borough’s ten employees including police, public works, and administrative assistants, agreed to forgo…
Media
Read More: Get Ready to Be AmazedGovernment Accountability
Not-so-Effective Tax Credit Programs
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee issued a new report on the utilization and accountability of Pennsylvania’s tax credit programs. The report looks at everything from the Research and…
Media
Read More: Not-so-Effective Tax Credit ProgramsGovernment Accountability
CF on Your iPhone or Kindle
Commonwealth Foundation iPhone app CF’s iPhone application is designed to keep you up-to-date with the latest CF news, policy analyses, events and more. Our app also features updates from…
Media
Read More: CF on Your iPhone or KindleGovernment Accountability
More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying for Higher Taxes
I have highlighted the taxpayer funded propaganda in the guise of a “newsletter,” titled the Marcellus Shale Examiner, before. The latest newsletter, which leads with Gov. Rendell’s “We…
Media
Read More: More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying for Higher TaxesGovernment Accountability
Severance Tax Legislation: The Process Stinks Too
The Pennsylvania House amended legislation to impose a severance tax on natural gas last night, and will likely vote on the bill tonight. We wrote yesterday about the merits…
Media
Read More: Severance Tax Legislation: The Process Stinks TooGovernment Accountability
Grassroots Activists Battle Special Interest Agenda
Earlier this year, we blogged on HB 2246, which would have allowed trial lawyers in auto cases to suggest the amount of compensation their plaintiffs should receive for their…
Media
Read More: Grassroots Activists Battle Special Interest AgendaGovernment Accountability
Making PA Budgets Honest
American governments are built around the power of legislatures to challenge administrations through public debate. From this debate come better policy decisions. However, if one side has a monopoly on…
Commentary
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State to CF: Transparency Denied
A couple months ago, we requested the salary information of state employees for our new openPAgov database (if you missed the launch, we currently have Pennsylvania school district…
Media
Read More: State to CF: Transparency DeniedGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Has Been Collecting Info on Citizens for Years
There has been a hullabaloo over the discovery that the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security (under the Emergency Management Agency), has been paying a private company to put together details about protests…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Has Been Collecting Info on Citizens for YearsGovernment Accountability
A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania Taxpayers
The Tribune Review revisits the Rendell Administration’s leasing tens of thousands of acres of state forest lands via no-bid contracts. State records the Tribune-Review obtained show that, in…
Media
Read More: A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania TaxpayersGovernment Accountability
Corrupt Courts Refuse Transparency
The Scranton Times reports that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) is appealing a court ruling extending an exemption to open records to the judiciary branch. (HT…
Media
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More Taxpayer Funded Propaganda
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has an email newsletter on Marcellus Shale (see PA Indy story). I, of course, signed up to see how my tax dollars were…
Media
Read More: More Taxpayer Funded PropagandaGovernment Accountability
You Can Be Gov. Rendell’s Speechwriter
Want to write Gov. Rendell’s next speech? Just fill out the form below. Write…
Media
Read More: You Can Be Gov. Rendell’s SpeechwriterEducation
Philly Superintendent’s $65K Bonus Criteria Released
Welcome to part two on Philadelphia school Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s bonus. (If you missed “Unethical Philly Superintendent Leeching Taxpayers Dry,” click here.) The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that, though…
Media
Read More: Philly Superintendent’s $65K Bonus Criteria ReleasedGovernment Accountability
Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t Compute
The PA Revenue Department’s main computer system was installed in 1975. The outdated system’s technological language, COBOL, is not even taught in universities anymore, narrowing the number of applicants…
Media
Read More: Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t ComputeGovernment Accountability
Lawmakers Call for Public Integrity Commission
In the wake of convictions, indictments, and investigations of Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff, several legislators have called for a new Public Integrity Commission. The Commission would replace the current…
Media
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