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

Full-Time Legislators still not the norm

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 16, 2008

The National Council of State Legislatures has some new data on occupations of state legislators. Here in Pennsylvania, 77.5% reported their occupation as “full-time legislator” (even though PA…

Media

Read More: Full-Time Legislators still not the norm

Government Accountability

Prizes for bloggers, citizen activists, video producers, and more

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 15, 2008

Our friends at the Sam Adams Alliance have something called The Sammies awards (with cash prizes) to encourage bloggers and citizens to get involved in political action. Here…

Media

Read More: Prizes for bloggers, citizen activists, video producers, and more

Government Accountability

Free-market internship, jobs, and grant opportunities

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2008

Some good opportunities to earn money working for liberty for college students, recent graduates and young professionals, and young journalists to pass along:Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow…

Media

Read More: Free-market internship, jobs, and grant opportunities

Government Accountability

Shed a little light on your government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2008

ShowMeTheSpending.com, a project of the National Taxpayers Union (with a coalition of groups) has relaunched as a wiki (like Wikipedia) as part of the Sunshine Review…

Media

Read More: Shed a little light on your government

Government Accountability

Corruption and Potential for Reform in State Contracts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2008

Chris Freind has a five part series in The Bulletin on conflicts of interest, corruption, and the inability to get reforms passed in how state contracts are awarded.  The…

Media

Read More: Corruption and Potential for Reform in State Contracts

Government Accountability

Speaker Franklin Award Dinner Video

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

Coverage of our Speaker Franklin Awards Dinner will air on PCN at 4:10 today. The video is also available on our YouTube Channel and below. Gov.

Media

Read More: Speaker Franklin Award Dinner Video

Government Accountability

Statement on the Passing of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll

  • November 13, 2008

The Commonwealth Foundation is saddened by the loss of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. We will fondly remember her unsurpassed dedication to her roles in public service, her compassion and…

Press Release

Read More: Statement on the Passing of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll

Government Accountability

RIP, Catherine Baker Knoll

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

As many readers are aware, Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll passed away last night.  Here is the Patriot News Story.  John Micek has posted reactions from…

Media

Read More: RIP, Catherine Baker Knoll

Government Accountability

Bailout Transparency Fading Fast

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 11, 2008

The Tribune-Review reports Bloomberg News has filed a FOIA and a federal lawsuit seeking to force the disclosure of recipients who received $2 trillion in emergency loans from…

Media

Read More: Bailout Transparency Fading Fast

Government Accountability

Book Review: The Best-Laid Plans

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2008

Fans of The Road to Serfdom will recognize the dangers of government planning. Unfortunately, government planning has become even more prevalent in the US since Hayek’s warning. Randal O’Toole’s book…

Media

Read More: Book Review: The Best-Laid Plans

Government Accountability

Book Review: Income and Wealth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 10, 2008

Alan Reynold’s Income and Wealth offers a primer on data on income, taxes, and the economy, and counters some of the most popular myths, usually circulated by left-wing groups…

Media

Read More: Book Review: Income and Wealth

Government Accountability

Turnout in Pennsylvania Declines

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2008

HT to Grassroots PA for this story – Turnout in Pennsylvania not only didn’t break records, it declined (both as a percentage of registered voters and in total…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pennsylvania House and Senate Results

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2008

Based on elections results from the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Tribune Review: Republicans pick up one seat in the PA Senate.  Their current majority will be 29-20, with…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania House and Senate Results

Government Accountability

Voter Fraud and Intimidation in Philadelphia and elsewhere

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2008

A couple of good resources exposing (and seeking citizen journalists) on voter fraud and intimidation are Voter Fraud Squad and Election Journal.  The latter has video of two…

Media

Read More: Voter Fraud and Intimidation in Philadelphia and elsewhere

Government Accountability

Statewide Voter Guides

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 29, 2008

With less than a week before election day presidential candidate surveys and voter guides are everywhere, yet it can be difficult to find information on state candidates.

Media

Read More: Statewide Voter Guides

Government Accountability

Presidential (Economic) Issues Guide

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 28, 2008

While not getting the publicity of the Water and Sewer bond ballot measure, there is also a presidential election going on.  As I have gotten a request for “voters…

Media

Read More: Presidential (Economic) Issues Guide

Government Accountability

ACORN: The Shenanigans Continue

  • October 28, 2008

Tax evasion can now be added to the list of shady dealings with which ACORN has been associated in the recent weeks. Matthew Vadum, from Capital Research…

Media

Read More: ACORN: The Shenanigans Continue

Government Accountability

Report Voter Fraud, Win Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 28, 2008

The Sam Adams Alliance is holding a video contest to raise public awareness in election fraud and prevent it from occurring. Click here for details. While…

Media

Read More: Report Voter Fraud, Win Money

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Is Driving Its Doctors Away

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 25, 2008

Frederic Jarrett – a Pittsburgh doctor – editorializes in the Wall Street Journal as to how Governor Rendell is pushing doctors out a Pennsylvania by holding MCare abatement (a…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Is Driving Its Doctors Away

Government Accountability

One rotten Acorn?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2008

GrassrootsPA has a roundup of stories on the Philadelphia man, working with ACORN, who was charged with 108 counts related to forgery and fraud in voter registration.  In the…

Media

Read More: One rotten Acorn?