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
Is Pennsylvania Ready for a Constitutional Convention?
Video from yesterday’s luncheon on Reviving Reform: Is it Time for a Constitutional Convention? featuring Sen. Jeff Piccola and Rep. Rosemarie Swanger is now available on our YouTube…
Media
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Reducing the Size of the General Assembly
Testimony before the House State Government Committee, August 19, 2008 Thank you, Chairwoman Josephs, and members of the House State Government Committee for the opportunity to testify today on the…
Testimony
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Reform doesn’t mean suing to get candidates off the ballot
Last month, as part of the bonusgate indictments, PA House Democratic representatives and staffers were accused of illegally using taxpayer money to challenge petitions and effectively get Ralph Nader off…
Media
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Pennsylvania not only state looking at Constitutional Convention
Today’s Policies and Principles Luncheon will focus discuss whether Pennsylvania needs to hold a Constitutional Convention (see also Sen. Piccola’s commentary on the need for a Convention on…
Media
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Reform Update
PACleanSweep has recently updated its Hall of Shame to highlight the senators and representatives who have not signed the petition calling for a special session of the General Assembly…
Media
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Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy
Pennsylvania and Ohio share more than a border. Both states spend a ton of money on “economic development” while consistently failing to attract new jobs. No wonder elected…
Media
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Bonusgate, corruption, and reform news
There are plenty of stories on corruption and reform in today’s papers: DeWeese under fire: State Rep. Josh Shapiro calls on House Majority Leader Bill Deweese to stop down…
Media
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Absurd statement of the day
The attorney for Sean Ramaley – who was indicted in the bonusgate scandal (accused of taking a no-work job to campaign for the House, and dropped his bid for…
Media
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Too little… too late
Lowman Henry weighs in on the House State Government Committee’s upcoming hearing on reducing the size of the legislature. He doesn’t say much on the merits of the proposal…
Media
Read More: Too little… too lateGovernment Accountability
How Many Wives Is Too Many?
John Stossel has a Townhall Commentary, likely to be controversial among the Townhall readers, about polygamy. He quotes one polygamist activist (not sure if there is more than one):…
Media
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Legal fees double taxpayers’ cost in bonus scandal
Tribune Review story highlights the millions of taxpayer dollars spent on legal fees – the bulk by House Democrats – in response to the bonusgate investigation. Taxpayers picked…
Media
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Spammed by your Government
Mario Cattabiani describes in the Philadelphia Inquirer how House Democrats spent $1.2 million to buy email address to send political messages to. And that’s not including several…
Media
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PA Housing Markets
Trulia.com has a tool to map housing prices, national, state, or locally. Here is the Pennsylvania map. (HT Carpe Diem)…
Media
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More news on Government Reform
Round-up of a number of stories today on the push for government reform and transparency: Steve Samuelson has worked out a compromise with Babette Josephs – who stymied…
Media
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Best Wishes to Bob Durgin
WHP host and good friend of the Commonwealth Foundation Bob Durgin will undergo triple bypass surgery today. We wish Bob a speedy recovery. Details and address to send Bob…
Media
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How the left and right differ on reform
I was in DC on Monday at a conference hosted by the Brookings Institute on reforming Pennsylvania – yes, our state is so bad that we are a great case…
Media
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Who has contracts with PA Government
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department has a great new tool for searching state contracts online. A description of the database – what you will find and will not find –…
Media
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Calls for Reform
Here is a quick roundup of editorials from across the state calling for a Constitutional Convention and/or a special session (as well as criticizing lawmakers for a culture of corruption,…
Media
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Why have a special session on reform?
Since the call for a special session for reform, some critics (i.e. Mark Cohen and Governor Rendell) oppose the idea, while others express support, but think it won’t do…
Media
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Cerberus’s three heads not speaking to each other
Rep. Babette Josephs, chairman of the House State Government Committee, and the Cerberus of the General Assembly is calling for a ban to bonuses – her ban.
Media
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Harrisburg Political Corruption News
For everything you ever wanted to know about bonusgate, the Fumo trial, and scandal in Pennsylvania, check out this new blog – Harrisburg Political Corruption News. It looks to…
Media
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