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

4 Facts on Pennsylvania Teacher Strikes

  • Priya Brannick
  • April 13, 2018

Between the nearly averted strike in Pittsburgh and statewide strikes in West Virginia and Oklahoma, the validity of teacher strikes is once again up for debate. Here are four facts…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Gov. Wolf Receives $8 Million from Government Union PACs

  • Jessica Barnett
  • April 6, 2018

As the 2018 election season gains momentum, Governor Wolf’s campaign friends are ramping up their financial support–and Pennsylvania taxpayers have helped them. Since his first campaign in 2013, Governor Wolf…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf Receives $8 Million from Government Union PACs

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

Public Union Democracy

Pa. Government Union Politics: $114 Million Since 2007

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 21, 2018

The data affirms—government unions are among Pennsylvania’s most powerful political players. From 2007-17, the commonwealth’s top government unions spent more than $114.8 million on politics.

Media

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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

Education

Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • February 27, 2018

Yesterday the Educational Nominating Panel for Philadelphia’s new school board voted to recommend board candidates to Mayor Kenney. Here is who made the list: Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Jenne Ayers,…

Media

Read More: Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?

Public Union Democracy

Pa. Teachers Support Worker Freedom Case Before Supreme

  • February 26, 2018

This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in a historic case, Janus v. AFSCME, that could free thousands of Pennsylvania teachers and other government workers from workplace coercion.

Press Release

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Public Union Democracy

What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers

  • February 26, 2018

The Case Plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME contend compulsory union fees for public-sector workers violates their First Amendment rights. The Players Plaintiffs: Mark Janus,…

Media

Read More: What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers

Public Union Democracy

Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 16, 2018

Imagine being disabled or sick and requiring help to bathe, eat, and even move from room to room within your own home. Medicaid, a taxpayer-funded health insurance program helps pay…

Media

Read More: Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam

Government Accountability

Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members

  • Jessica Barnett
  • February 13, 2018

Unionization doesn’t guarantee representation. Penn State graduate assistants may soon learn this lesson. Shortly after the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled the graduate assistants can unionize, the Pittsburgh Federation…

Media

Read More: Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members

Education

Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • January 26, 2018

“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” These words are as true today as…

Media

Read More: Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations

Education

New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School District

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • January 19, 2018

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney recently appointed a 13-member nominating panel that will shape the district’s new school board. High on the panel’s list of requirements should be instilling a…

Media

Read More: New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School District

Public Union Democracy

Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal Groups

  • January 9, 2018

No one should be forced to fund values they disagree with—yet that’s exactly what’s happening to union members. Dues collected from workers’ paychecks, often at taxpayer expense, are used for…

Media

Read More: Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal Groups

Public Union Democracy

2017 Labor Reform Roundup

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 28, 2017

Is Pennsylvania a worker-friendly state? According to our updated, comprehensive report grading each state’s public sector labor laws’, the answer is no. Pennsylvania ranks a measly “D” compared to others…

Media

Read More: 2017 Labor Reform Roundup

Education

Taxpayers Notch Another Win Against Ghost Teaching

  • December 22, 2017

Reading residents received an early Christmas present this week, as the city’s teachers’ union agreed to reimburse taxpayers for the costs of ghost teaching in the Reading School District.

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Paycheck Protection Timeline

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 22, 2017

Paycheck protection is a commonsense reform that moves Pennsylvania a significant step closer to ethical government. Though recently stalled in the House, a brief history of paycheck protection demonstrates…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection Timeline

Public Union Democracy

Fifty State Labor Report 2017

  • Jessica Barnett, Priya Brannick
  • December 20, 2017

We've updated a nationwide comparison of public sector labor laws - Pennsylvania again scores a D.

Report

Read More: Fifty State Labor Report 2017

Public Union Democracy

SB 166 Falls Short in the House

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 13, 2017

Last night, Pennsylvania’s government union leaders preserved their exclusive political privilege. By a close vote of 90-102, the state House voted down SB 166 which would have prohibited…

Media

Read More: SB 166 Falls Short in the House

Public Union Democracy

House Nears Vote to Protect Public Resources

  • Jessica Barnett
  • December 10, 2017

This Monday, House lawmakers have a chance to vote for landmark ethics reform, Senate Bill 166 Passing this legislation – and sending it to the Senate and governor for approval…

Media

Read More: House Nears Vote to Protect Public Resources