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

The Sanford Model

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 30, 2006

Wall Street Journal uncovers that there is at least one fiscal conservative remaining in the Republican Party.

Media

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Government Accountability

Late-night legislating reawakens reformers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 26, 2006

Patriot News article on the late night shenanigans of our General Assembly. Also read our News Release on the manner in which “Cover All Kids” was passed. Eric…

Media

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Government Accountability

What to do about mediocre political leaders

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 24, 2006

TCS Daily – The Leadership Myth: “We have to expect mediocrity from political leaders. …The libertarian view is that private institutions, both for-profit and non-profit, are better at…

Media

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Government Accountability

General reassembly

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2006

The York Daily Record series of editorials on the merits of a state Constitutional Convention and other governmental reforms.

Media

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Government Accountability

House limits access to roll calls during session

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2006

UPDATED: According to Capitolwire.com, access to roll call votes have been restored and The Speaker also wrote the House is exploring ways “to provide the public with real time access…

Media

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Government Accountability

Judge sues to refuse pay raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin’s lawsuit to not have her pay raised. I guess she doesn’t agree with Chief Justice Cappy that judges are…

Media

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Government Accountability

A Tale of Two GOPs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

Wall Street Journal editorial points out that Republicans are in strong shape in places where they stuck to the conservative principles they campaigned on (Florida) and are in deep…

Media

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Government Accountability

Lame ducks ruffle feathers in 3 statehouses

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2006

Stateline.org article on Lame Duck legislatures. Guess which state is the leader in post-election shenanigans.

Media

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Government Accountability

The Incumbents We Need

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 26, 2006

Pennsylvania’s 2006 elections will go down in the history books as one in which citizens overturned the apple cart of many incumbent state legislators. While many career politicians are already…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

‘Smart Talk’ on pay raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

Alison Hawkes summary of Chief Justice Cappy’s defense of the judicial pay raise: “He said judges needed a pay hike because salaries were slipping compared to other states, although…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pa. courts say judges’ pay will rise with feds

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2006

AP Report that court adminstrators say PA judges pay are now tied to federal judges. While this differs from my reading of the court ruling on cost-of-living-adjustments, and…

Media

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Government Accountability

The Know-Nothing Campaign

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2006

Nick Gillespie column on the absurdity of the McCain-Feingold free speech regulations which bans mentioning of candidates in ads within 60 days of an election. We don’t want voters…

Media

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Government Accountability

Lack of evidence to support raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2006

Scranton Times-Tribune editorial takes on Chief Justice Cappy’s defense of a judicial pay raise.

Media

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Education

Editorial: PHEAA should open books or lose monopoly

  • September 20, 2006

DelcoTimes suggests “If PHEAA doesn’t want to open its books, the state should open its doors to competition in the student loan field. Then residents can compare organizations and…

Media

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Government Accountability

Judicial Pay After Court Ruling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 15, 2006

Here is what PA judges will make following the court ruling reinstating the judicial pay raise: http://mail.comfdnprod.wpengine.com/judgespay.pdf…

Media

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Government Accountability

Judicial pay raise outrage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 15, 2006

WHP CBS21 coverage of the pay raise ruling, featuring video of our very own Matthew Brouillette talking with angry callers.

Media

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Government Accountability

Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Pay Raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2006

The PA Supreme Court Opinion on the pay raise, issued today (view the last two pages for the Conclusion) makes the following decisions: 1) The repeal (Act 72 of…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pay Raise is Back

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2006

The Patriot News reports that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reinstated last July’s pay raise, for judges–a ruling which raises the pay of the Supreme Court Justices. The ruling also…

Media

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