Public Union Democracy
Why have teacher salaries become stagnant?
Join host David Osborne and guest Christian Barnard (Assistant Director of Education Reform at Reason Foundation) as they delve into the intricate dynamics behind the stagnant teacher salaries despite soaring…
Read More: Why have teacher salaries become stagnant?Compulsory 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
Pay Up or Get Fired
Imagine being told you have a choice: Write a check for $450 to an organization you don’t support, or lose your job. For tens of thousands of teachers across Pennsylvania…
Media
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Freedom on the Horizon for Pa. Teachers?
How much money will you have to pay a private political organization just to keep your job this year? If this question sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is—unless you…
Commentary
Read More: Freedom on the Horizon for Pa. Teachers?Public Union Democracy
A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016
Last year, Gov. Tom Wolf promised he would take state government in a “different direction” and grow the middle class. He pledged to do this by making Pennsylvania a magnet for…
Media
Read More: A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016Public Union Democracy
Union Dues Fund New Political Attack Ads
America Works USA launched a new round of political attack ads opposing the latest state budget. These highly misleading ads again talk about “cuts to education.” However, the…
Media
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Tax Hike of Christmas Past?
Given the rumblings of an imminent vote on higher income taxes, it's important to remember what happened 12 years ago (nearly to the day!) with our state budget. Ed Rendell was…
Media
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Philly Union Priorities: Politics over Teachers
How would you feel if your employer took funds meant for your health insurance and spent them on partisan politics? Sadly, this is a reality for thousands of teachers in…
Media
Read More: Philly Union Priorities: Politics over TeachersGovernment Accountability
Union Political Spending in the 2015 Pennsylvania Elections
The problem isn't that unions give a lot, or even that they dominate political spending. The problem is that government union dues and campaign contributions are collected at taxpayer expense…
Memo
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Unions’ Pass to Harass Comes to End
Unions' Pass to Harass Comes to End Wolf Signs Bill Closing Union Violence Loophole November 5, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Eight days after anti-harassment bill HB 874 hit his desk,…
Press Release
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Dear Kids
On October 21, more than 100 days after his veto touched off Pennsylvania’s ongoing state budget impasse, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers…
Media
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Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack Ads
Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform—a new “SuperPAC” (technically an “Independent Expenditure Committee”) registered in August—has spent about $2.5 million on attack ads in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race. Who…
Media
Read More: Union Dues fund SuperPAC Attack AdsPublic Union Democracy
Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence Bill
Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence Bill Governor Has until November 7 to Sign Union Intimidation Bill November 2, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Philadelphia construction executive Sarina…
Press Release
Read More: Union Harassment Victim Urges Wolf to Sign Union Violence BillPublic Union Democracy
The Voluntary Deductions Facade
Paycheck protection detractors defend using taxpayer resources for partisan politics by insisting union members can voluntarily deduct political donations from their paychecks, but this excuse misses the point. Taxpayers aren't offered a choice. They're…
Media
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Justice for All
Sarina Rose counted on the justice system to punish the person who harassed her during a labor dispute. The system let her down. The Philadelphia Inquirer covered her ordeal…
Media
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Ball in Wolf’s Court to End Union Violence Loophole
Ball in Wolf's Court to End Union Violence Loophole Stalking, Harassment, Threats Currently Legal in Labor Disputes October 27, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Stalking, harassment, and personal threats…
Press Release
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Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court Race
Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court Race Public Resources Used for Campaign Politics October 27, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Government union leaders are free to back their…
Press Release
Read More: Shades of Orie Melvin in State Supreme Court RaceGovernment Accountability
Three Reforms that Transcend Party Lines
Budget gridlock is hamstringing Harrisburg, but when it comes to transparency and accountability, a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians support three key reforms. Paycheck protection, transparency in government union contract negotiations,…
Media
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Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the Future
As 1980s movie buffs know, today—Oct 21, 2015—is the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled forward in time in the Back to the Future films. Back to the Future predicted…
Media
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Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School
Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School Ends Abuse of Union Work on School Time in Pittsburgh & Phila. October 20, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With Halloween quickly…
Press Release
Read More: Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to SchoolPublic Union Democracy
State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, [email protected] State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection Two-Thirds of Likely Voters Want to End Gov. Union Political Privilege October 14, 2015, HARRISBURG,…
Press Release
Read More: State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Passes Senate
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed paycheck protection (SB 501) by a 26-23 vote. The bill will now move to the House. You can view the roll call vote…
Media
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Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms
Poll: Large Majorities in PA Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms Paycheck Protection, Contract Transparency, Spending Limits Get High Marks October 13, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Critical transparency and accountability measures…
Press Release
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