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
4 Bills In 5 Months
WGAL (NBC 8) with a story on the sluggish pace of the full time Pennsylvania legislature. So far this year, they have passed only 4 bills – two renaming…
Media
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Empowering Citizens through Legislative Redistricting & Initiative & Referendum
Thank you Chairman Piccola and members of the Senate State Government Committee for the opportunity to share with you the position and opinions of the Commonwealth Foundation on Senate Bills…
Testimony
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Memo to Senate State Government Committee Members
MEMORANDUM TO: Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee Members (Senators Piccola, Folmer, A. Williams, Scarnati, Brubaker, Corman, Punt, McIhinney, Fontana, Hughes, and Tartaglione) FROM: Commonwealth Foundation, Democracy Rising PA, Rock the…
Commentary
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Taxpayers Need Protection
Delivered on Thursday, April 26, 2007 Good morning Chairman Corman, Senator Regola, and Senator Folmer. It is indeed a pleasure and an honor to be able to come before you…
Testimony
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In Support of a Limited Constitutional Convention
Delivered on Monday, March 26, 2007 Thank you Chairman Piccola and members of the Senate State Government Committee for the opportunity to share with you the position of the…
Commentary
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The Elections Big Winner: Reform
Did voters reject Republicans and embrace Democrats in the 2006 elections? Of course; the gains in seats held by Democrats (both nationally and statewide) suggest they did. But the reasons…
Commentary
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Majority believes government doing too much
A poll showing what everyone already knew, including CNN – except lawmakers at the federal and state level, who (in the words of John McCain) “have increased government in…
Media
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The Sanford Model
Wall Street Journal uncovers that there is at least one fiscal conservative remaining in the Republican Party.
Media
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Late-night legislating reawakens reformers
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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What to do about mediocre political leaders
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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Republicans deserve to lose, but what happens if Democrats win?
Pete Du Pont in today’s Wall Street Journal on the policies we can expect should Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress.
Media
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General reassembly
The York Daily Record series of editorials on the merits of a state Constitutional Convention and other governmental reforms.
Media
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House limits access to roll calls during session
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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Judge sues to refuse pay raise
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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A Tale of Two GOPs
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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Lame ducks ruffle feathers in 3 statehouses
Stateline.org article on Lame Duck legislatures. Guess which state is the leader in post-election shenanigans.
Media
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EDITORIAL | State judges underpaid?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorializes on judges’ pay.
Media
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The Incumbents We Need
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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‘Smart Talk’ on pay raise
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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Pa. courts say judges’ pay will rise with feds
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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The Know-Nothing Campaign
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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