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.
Government Accountability
Follow the Commonwealth Foundation on Twitter
The Commonwealth Foundation is now on Twitter. If you Twitter, or thinking of signing up to show how young and hip you are (do the young and hip still…
Media
Read More: Follow the Commonwealth Foundation on TwitterGovernment Accountability
Discharge resolution on bonus ban bill
Representative Brad Roae sends us this regarding his discharge resolution for SB 986, the “Bonus Ban” “On Monday I turned in a Discharge Resolution to pull the bill…
Media
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Why a special session on reform is needed
During a press conference calling on Cerberus and the House Democrats to pass a number of reform bills already passed unanimously by the Senate, contending that a special…
Media
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Great Website on Fiscal Responsibility
Americans for Tax Reform has launched its Center for Fiscal Responsibility, a fantastic site dedicated to (as the name implies) fiscal responsibility in federal state and local government. I…
Media
Read More: Great Website on Fiscal ResponsibilityGovernment Accountability
New Blog: Snippets of PA Capitol Coverage
Pennsylvania Legislative Service has a new blog, which will include some of their coverage of happenings at the state Capitol (previously available only to paid subscribers) such as wrap…
Media
Read More: New Blog: Snippets of PA Capitol CoverageGovernment Accountability
DeWeese boasts about House reforms
The Herald Standard has an article in which Bill DeWeese praises all the reforms the House has done under his watch. Eric Epstein and Tim Potts offer…
Media
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House Republican Caucus: Opening the Books
The House Republican Caucus has posted a number of contracts on the Treasurer’s website and announced they will start observing the new Open…
Media
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As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
Media
Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending ContinuesGovernment Accountability
Past Time to Clean Up Harrisburg
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a couple of stories on corruption in the Capitol. One is a query about the $10 million in taxpayer grants directed to the Beaver…
Media
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Does Government Need to Fund R&D?
An interesting query on the role of government in research and new technologies from OpenMarket.org. The insight is relevant both for topics like bio-fuel research and stem-cell research, but…
Media
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Open the Books on Government Spending
Imagine a website where you could instantly find information about the salary of your legislator or the amount of money your school district spends on textbooks. Think of a database…
Commentary
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Push for reform coming up short
Here is one of the most disheartening articles I have read about reform in Harrisburg. (HT: Grassroots PA). Not only do some Pennsylvania lawmakers think that the…
Media
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BonusGate update and questions
The Democracy Rising PA Newsletter raises some interesting points about a pronouncement by Attorney General Tom Corbett that he wouldn’t make announcements about indictments leading up to Nov.
Media
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Thomas Jefferson: Blogger
While I thought we had the most influential blog around (or at least number 7), this Jefferson guy from Charlottesville seems to be quoted quite a bit.
Media
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Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?
In early July, the State Treasurer’s office revealed the new PA Contracts e-Library as required by the recent Open Records law. The database posts government contracts and grants in…
Media
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Should 18 year-olds be allowed to drink (legally)?
A large group of college presidents have launched an initiative to lower the legal drinking age from 21 to18. Their argument is that 18 to 21 year…
Media
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16 days of work in six months may tire House
Eric Heyl, with a hint of sarcasm, suggests that the 16 days the PA House (and the 10 days for the PA Senate) is scheduled to be in session between July…
Media
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A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial Memorandum
The U.S. Attorney General’s Trial Memorandum for the upcoming federal trial, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. VINCENT J. FUMO & RUTH ARNAO, reads like a movie script. Unfortunately,…
Media
Read More: A Pennsylvania Movie Script: U.S.A. v. FUMO Trial MemorandumGovernment Accountability
Turnpike chairman Rubin under fire as “ghost employee” of federal defendant Fumo
TOLLROADSnews, the toll road industry’s news website, highlights the connections between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Sen. Vince Fumo’s upcoming federal trial. We’re still scratching our heads as to…
Media
Read More: Turnpike chairman Rubin under fire as “ghost employee” of federal defendant FumoGovernment Accountability
California Lawmaker Kicked Out of Capitol
From The Club For Growth blog: Democratic leaders in the California legislature kicked Assemblywoman Nicole Parra out of the Capitol building because she didn’t…
Media
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Missouri study of merit selection of judges
One topic that came up in our luncheon on a state Constitutional Convention was merit selection of judges (we also held a luncheon on that topic earlier this…
Media
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