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

Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally Ends

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 3, 2019

Six years ago, Pam Harris fought in court to keep her disabled son at home. A portion of her limited caregiver stipend was being funneled to union she never…

Media

Read More: Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally Ends

Criminal Justice Reform

Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 12, 2019

Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…

Media

Read More: Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort

Government Accountability

How Restoring Workers’ Rights Brings Fairness to All Pennsylvanians

  • January 4, 2019

For decades, public sector union leaders have used their unfair political advantages to block public policies that will help our state and citizens flourish. Restoring workers’ rights is critical for a fair…

Memo

Read More: How Restoring Workers’ Rights Brings Fairness to All Pennsylvanians

Government Accountability

Union Leaders Lied, Now Members Sue

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 10, 2018

Unions should represent employees, not work against their own members’ interests. Yet, that’s exactly what happened to public sector workers in Erie—and some are pushing back. During closed-door negotiation…

Media

Read More: Union Leaders Lied, Now Members Sue

Government Accountability

It’s Apparent PA’s Not Transparent

  • Jessica Barnett
  • November 20, 2018

Parties and perks on taxpayers' dime was the headline-grabbing news from Pennsylvania's Auditor General investigation of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC). His findings underscore the need for government transparency. The SRBC,…

Media

Read More: It’s Apparent PA’s Not Transparent

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania’s #1 Special Interest Problem

  • Jessica Barnett
  • October 31, 2018

A solution that makes the problem worse is no solution at all. Yet, recent calls for campaign finance reform and a natural gas severance tax would do just that—selectively…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s #1 Special Interest Problem

Criminal Justice Reform

Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life Sentences

  • September 21, 2018

In this second blog in our Safe and Smart series, we tackle Pennsylvania’s practice of sentencing offenders to life without parole (LWOP). LWOP is coming under greater scrutiny from people across the…

Media

Read More: Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life Sentences

Criminal Justice Reform

Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System

  • September 13, 2018

CF’s newest policy brief, Safer Communities, Smarter Spending, provides a unique look at the problems in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. The commonwealth’s incarceration rate is too high. Its supervision…

Media

Read More: Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System

Criminal Justice Reform

Safer Communities, Smarter Spending

  • September 11, 2018

About 95 percent of those confined to state prison will eventually re-enter society. This is why reformers must focus attention on reducing recidivism and balance "tough on crime" practices of the past…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Safer Communities, Smarter Spending

Government Accountability

Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.

  • August 9, 2018

Pennsylvania’s prohibition error(!) liquor system lends itself to corruption. The sentencing of former Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) official James Short serves as a stark reminder of this undeniable fact.

Media

Read More: Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.

Criminal Justice Reform

Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 31, 2018

In the last four years Pennsylvania has experienced rapid state spending growth. On the plus side, constant tax hike proposals have been largely rejected and policies like pension reform, school…

Memo

Read More: Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf

Government Accountability

State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in Earmarks

  • July 24, 2018

July 24, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Nearly 50 obscurely-worded earmarks are buried in Pennsylvania’s fiscal code—amounting to $35 million in hidden expenses—according to a Commonwealth Foundation analysis. Click here for a searchable…

Press Release

Read More: State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in Earmarks

Government Accountability

Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?

  • July 11, 2018

Separating taxpayer resources from private or political purposes is a principle ingrained in our society. It's one of the many reasons Pennsylvania politicians have spent a significant amount of time…

Media

Read More: Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare Accessibility

  • July 11, 2018

Recent debates over health care reform in Washington have centered around reorganizing insurance markets, but improving America’s health care system requires a more comprehensive approach. And states can lead the…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Needs to Improve Healthcare Accessibility

Government Accountability

Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • May 11, 2018

Government transparency is a driving issue for Rep. Seth Grove. Without it, citizens can’t determine if state government is spending tax dollars efficiently. And hiding government operations from the public…

Media

Read More: Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt

Government Accountability

Government that Works?in the Shadows

  • May 1, 2018

Legislation introduced by Rep. Seth Grove—House Bill 1843—injects a much-needed dose of transparency into the state budget. The proposal would give taxpayers access to critical budget documents and financial…

Media

Read More: Government that Works?in the Shadows

Government Accountability

The Call for Contract Transparency Continues

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 30, 2018

An ABC27 special investigation asks a simple question: “Would you pay a bill before you saw it?” Most people would answer with a resounding no. Yet, as the report highlights, that’s exactly…

Media

Read More: The Call for Contract Transparency Continues

Government Accountability

The Ethics Reform Pa. Should Prioritize

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 28, 2018

Governor Wolf recently revealed more details of his “Citizens First” plan to reform campaign finance laws and gerrymandering practices. This follows the state Supreme Court’s controversial decision to redraw…

Media

Read More: The Ethics Reform Pa. Should Prioritize

Government Accountability

Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many Problems

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2018

Today, Gov. Wolf  introduced a slew of “government reforms” to tackle Pennsylvania’s corruption problem. Here is our quick take on each. Gift Ban In theory, this seems like a…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many Problems

Government Accountability

Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should Pursue

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 12, 2018

Governor Wolf unveiled today his Citizens First Ethics Plan, which should cause Pennsylvanians to wonder, how willing is the governor to truly pursue ethics reform? The plan includes a…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should Pursue