Public Union Democracy
Shapiro’s Project Labor Agreement Mandate
Summary Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are pre-hire agreements between the government and a contractor that outline the terms and conditions for a certain project. Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote to state…
Read More: Shapiro’s Project Labor Agreement MandateCompulsory public unions threaten individual worker rights and cost taxpayers billions. Reforms to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act are needed to restore and protect workers’ rights. No one—including government employees—should be blocked from leaving a union. To increase government integrity and accountability, policies should be adopted that ensure all special interests groups, including government unions, interact with the state government on a level playing field.
Public Union Democracy
Top 10 Recipients of Government Union Money
Government unions wield enormous influence in Pennsylvania politics. Since 2010, the commonwealth’s largest government unions have spent over $71 million on politics—including $26 million in political action committee (PAC)…
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Paycheck Protection: Where it Stands
In February, the state Senate passed paycheck protection, which would shield taxpayers from subsidizing government union leaders’ political fundraising. Now it’s up to the House to protect the interests of taxpayers…
Media
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Op-Ed: The Cure for ‘March Madness’
While the NCAA basketball tournament had the nation on the edge of its seat, Philadelphia students faced their own version of March Madness—full of drama, heartache, and uncertainty, but with far more…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: The Cure for ‘March Madness’Government Accountability
Paycheck Protection Benefits Teachers
Providing one more reason Pennsylvania needs paycheck protection, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) uses members’ dues to mislead teachers. In the March 2017 publication of PSEA’s dues-funded…
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Op-Ed: Time to End Special-Interest Loophole
Subverting public resources for political gain will not be tolerated. Except when it is. Pennsylvania government regularly collects and distributes tens of millions of dollars earmarked for politics on behalf of…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Time to End Special-Interest LoopholeEducation
Teachers’ Unions Dwarf School Choice Spending
When it comes to education, government union leaders are Pennsylvania’s top political spender. No contest. We recently highlighted how government unions, outspoken proponents of a severance tax, far outspend…
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Send Your Message: Paycheck Protection
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Read More: Send Your Message: Paycheck ProtectionGovernment Accountability
Reviving the Push for Transparency
Taxpayers scored a victory last year with the passage of Senate Bill 644 (now Act 15). The new law requires the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to provide cost…
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Debunking Union Leaders’ Paycheck Protection Myths
It’s been said death and taxes are life’s only two certainties. Here’s a third: government union leaders’ continual misrepresentation of paycheck protection. For example, recently, the Philadelphia Federation of…
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Dues-Funded Politics: Why We Need Paycheck Protection
Pennsylvania’s government union leaders are political heavyweights. As we documented in our recent analysis, their political spending far surpasses industry competitors—and relies on…
Media
Read More: Dues-Funded Politics: Why We Need Paycheck ProtectionEducation
Op-Ed: Is the Sky Falling on Children’s Education?
In the aftermath of Betsy DeVos’s confirmation as Secretary of Education, opponents predict she could decimate public education. Their perspective is misguided, unsupported by facts, and ultimately harmful for the future…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Is the Sky Falling on Children’s Education?Government Accountability
Government Unions Outspend the Natural Gas Industry
Proponents of a natural gas severance tax argue the natural gas industry wields undue political influence in Harrisburg. State representative Greg Vitali laments: They [natural gas industry] just always…
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News Release: Paycheck Protection Passes State Senate
Legislation Would End Use of Taxpayer Resources to Aid Political Activity February 8, 2017, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The State Senate today passed paycheck protection legislation, SB 166, which would end the…
Press Release
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Budget Solution: Stop Paying Extra for Construction Projects
'Prevailing Wage' Costs Pennsylvanians Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Yearly February 6, 2017, Harrisburg, Pa.—Can you imagine taking your car to the shop for a major repair, learning…
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Read More: Budget Solution: Stop Paying Extra for Construction ProjectsPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Solves $96 Million Problem
Yesterday, the Senate State Government Committee passed paycheck protection legislation, which would prevent taxpayer resources from being used to collect money earmarked for political activity. SB 166 and…
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Read More: Paycheck Protection Solves $96 Million ProblemPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Passes Senate Committee
The Senate State Government Committee today passed paycheck protection, which ends the special privilege that lets government union leaders use public resources to collect money earmarked for politics. Since…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Passes Senate CommitteePublic Union Democracy
The Inquirer’s Problematic Budget Prescriptions
A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial urges optimism about the forthcoming state budget debate. It’s certainly well-warranted. Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders have repeatedly expressed interest in redesigning state government to…
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A Christmas Wish List for Pennsylvania
“No more lives torn apart, and wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts.” You might recognize those words from the ubiquitous-around-the-holidays song, “Grown-Up Christmas List.” Grown up? Sure.
Commentary
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Watch for Sweeping Changes Outside the Beltway
The political landscape has experienced a seismic shift, and it isn't centered in Washington DC. This past weekend Kyle Peterson of the Wall Street Journal highlighted Pennsylvania and six other…
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Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative Session
That's a wrap. The 2015-16 legislative session is officially in the history books. Despite a $650 million tax hike, Pennsylvanians have a lot to celebrate from the past two years.
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Details Emerge on Philly Union Negotiations
Intrepid reporter Kristen Graham of the Philadelphia Inquirer unearthed several details from contract negotiations between the school district of Philadelphia and the local teachers’ union, the Philadelphia Federation of…
Media
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