In the past three years, a left-wing group called Pennsylvania Fund for Change has raised $9.8 million and spent nearly all of it trying to defeat state legislative Republicans. They're particularly fond of targeting Republicans who side with government unions. This is ironic, given where Fund for Change gets its money; namely, from government unions and trial lawyers. We take a look at how politicians are betrayed by their union "friends."

Short Take 10: How local politicians are betrayed by gov't unions

The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, founded by former President Barack Obama and his former Attorney General Eric Holder,  claims to want fair congressional maps. But that claim is far from accurate. Here’s the story of how this committee is working not for fairness but for pure Democrat control—and how they’re willing to use even the most undemocratic means to get there.

Short Take 13: Group aims to upend PA redistricting process

With calls coming from both sides of the aisle for changes to Pennsylvania's election laws, House State Government Committee Chair Seth Grove dives into the latest on his committee’s work on comprehensive election reform. What’s been reviewed? What problems have been discovered? And what’s ahead when it comes to improving our election processes?

Ep96: Rep. Seth Grove on PA Election Reform

Pa. State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York County) joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about the recently enacted state budget and the state's chronic overspending problem.

Ep97: Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill on Pa. state budget

What happens when judges who are supposed to be fair and impartial instead consistently issue rulings that align with the special interests that elected them? Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette recently authored an op-ed looking at partisan rulings by Pennsylvania's state Supreme Court – and noting what voters can do to protect the impartiality of our judiciary. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.

Short Take 15: Justice needs her blindfold back

Since taking office as PA Attorney General, Josh Shapiro has issued more than 990 press releases—or one every 1.67 days. But while he says a lot, many questions remain unanswered. As Shapiro has set his sights on becoming Pennsylvania’s next governor, here are some of the many questions Pennsylvanians deserve to have answered.  This episode is an audio version of a commentary on this topic.

Short Take 16: Questions for Attorney General Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro likes to present himself as the champion of the little guy. But thanks to Shapiro, thousands of Pennsylvania landowners lost out on tens of millions of dollars in royalty payments from one of the nation’s largest natural gas companies. In this episode, we take a look at how Shapiro’s determination to target natural gas companies translated into a big loss for thousands of Pennsylvanians. This episode is an audio version of a commentary that originally appeared in Broad + Liberty.

Short Take 18: How AG Josh Shapiro cost Pennsylvania royalty owners millions

Between “Stop the Steal” activists and “Big Lie” critics, it’s become difficult to have a civil conversation over election reform. But, it turns out that calls for many reforms have been both longstanding and bipartisan. Commonwealth Partners Board Member and entrepreneur Rob Shearer explained in an op-ed what a Democrat-led audit of Pennsylvania's voter registry found, and how a Republican-led election reform package is the solution. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.

Short Take 19: Need for election reform predates 2020

Disney World is fun, but Pennsylvania has its own fantasy world in the form of Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s campaign for governor. Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs' political director, Jeremy Baker, recently had an op-ed in Broad + Liberty diving into Josh’s Wonderland and explaining why it’s one fantasy we should all hope never become reality. This episode is an audio version of that commentary.

Short Take 20:  Josh's Wonderland

Recently, New York and New Jersey released data on how many patients were hospitalized “with” Covid vs. “for” Covid. But to date, Pennsylvania has not disclosed similar data. Instead, the PA Department of Health continues to release numbers without context. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed on this lack of context from Gov. Tom Wolf's administration.

Short Take 21: The Covid context the Wolf administration isn't giving

After the latest U.S. census, Pennsylvania is losing yet another congressional seat. Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette recently wrote an op-ed looking at how Gov. Tom Wolf’s policies are driving families, business, and jobs out of Pennsylvania and how this November, voters will have the opportunity to chart a new course. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.

Short Take 22: Counting down to a new direction in Pennsylvania

When it comes to transparency, what's unsaid is often more important than what's said. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed in which we dive into Covid hospitalization data that Gov. Wolf's administration says it doesn't have, as well as the context that's missing when we talk about overwhelmed hospitals.

Short Take 23: More Missing Covid Data

In this episode, we take a look at former Pennsylvania state lawmakers who ran afoul of the law, but are still getting taxpayer-backed pension payments for life. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that originally appeared at Broad + Liberty.

Short Take 24: Taxpayers on the hook for lawbreakers' pensions

As Vladimir Putin continues his brutal attacks on Ukraine, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf persists in his anti-energy policy that’s helping keep the world dependent on Russian gas. Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette recently explained in an op-ed how Wolf’s green agenda is fueling Putin’s war. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.

Short Take 25: Wolf's 'green' energy agenda is fueling Putin's war

Do you feel that America is losing sight of the values that make her unique? Abhi Samuel, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement at Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, knows what it’s like to grow up in a socialist nation. He recently outlined three opportunities we have to show courage and reclaim American values. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that Abhi wrote on the topic. The piece originally appeared at Broad + Liberty.

Short Take 26: Reclaiming American Values

As Democrat attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro makes TikTok videos, Philadelphia hit record high homicides last year. If Shapiro wants to convince Pennsylvanian’s he’s standing up for them, he should be prioritizing the things that matter most. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that originally appeared at Broad + Liberty.

BVShortTake27 - Josh Shapiro TikTok

From defending Gov. Wolf's business shutdowns to backing PA's entrance into the job-destroying Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro has some baggage when it comes to running for governor this November. But even before he gets there, Shapiro may have another problem in the May primary election: state Rep. and Lt. Gov. candidate Brian Sims. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed on the topic by Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette.

Short Take 28: Josh Shapiro's lieutenant governor problem

Elon Musk’s recent move to buy Twitter has caused both elation and panic, depending on whom you ask. But at its root, Musk’s move shows the power of entrepreneurship to shape American culture. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed on the topic by Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs President and CEO Matt Brouillette.

Short Take 29: Elon Musk and the power of entrepreneurs

What happens when a Philadelphia Democrat lawmaker dares to defy the teachers' unions by voting to help kids escape failing schools? Let's just say the unions don't take it lightly. Listen to this episode to hear how Rep. Amen Brown faced backlash after voting in favor of Lifeline Scholarships.

Short Take 30: How standing for kids made one lawmaker an enemy of the Left

From skewing the news to fit a narrative, to spewing flat-out falsehoods, media headlines too often paint a one-sided picture. This episode looks at some headline hit jobs while setting the record straight on the real stories. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that originally appeared at Broad & Liberty (www.broadandliberty.com).

Short Take 31: Headline Hit Jobs

John Wetzel spends a lot of time in prison, but it’s by choice and for a good cause. Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Corrections talks with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette about his upbringing, his professional rise to become the state’s top corrections official, and his passion for good policy regardless of which party label is attached to it.

EP5: John Wetzel, Secretary of Pa. Department of Corrections

John Baer is one of the most recognized names in Pennsylvania politics. The longtime political columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philly.com sat down with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about growing up surrounded by news, tell some unique stories of his career, and give his predictions for the 2018 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race.

Ep11: John Baer, Political Columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, & Philly.com

Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Bill DeWeese spent 36 years in the state Legislature followed by nearly two years in state prison on a conviction of using public resources for political means. Now a lobbyist, Bill talks with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette about his upbringing, his rise to political leadership, his political downfall, and how he's using his experiences to effect change.

Ep17:  Bill DeWeese, former Pa. House Speaker

More than 20 years ago, Kirk Hallett had a successful career in construction equipment sales, but he was looking for something different. So he founded the Joshua Group, which gives kids in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood a chance at the solid educational foundation that will help carry them through life. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Kirk shares how the Joshua Group is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children and describes the changes he'd like to see in Pennsylvania's education policy.

Ep44: Kirk Hallett, Founder & Director, the Joshua Group

In the fall-out of PA Gov. Tom Wolf's executive order closing wide swaths of the state's economy, David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, discusses the disastrous impact the haphazard order has had on critical supply chain companies and considers how well Pennsylvania is poised to come back once the state’s economy and health are restored.

Ep65: COVID shut-down order impact on PA supply chain & manufacturing

Buying liquor in Pennsylvania in normal times is bad enough, given the state's government-run liquor monopoly. But trying to buy liquor through the government-run system during a pandemic is downright maddening (and slightly hilarious). David La Torre shares his experience trying, trying, trying, and finally succeeding in buying some booze!

Ep67: Adventures in liquor-buying in PA: David La Torre's story

With much focus in Pennsylvania on the state's response to COVID-19, how are county leaders responding? In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette, Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries details his county's response, along with what communication the governor's administration has--or has not--had with county leaders.

Ep68: Mike Pries, Vice-Chairman, Dauphin County Board of Commissioners

In light of PA Gov. Tom Wolf's threats to retaliate against counties and businesses that re-open without his permission, Rep. Seth Grove addresses what powers the governor does and does not have and discusses the growing frustration over Wolf's refusal to listen to Pennsylvanians who are hurting.

Ep69: Rep. Seth Grove on Gov. Wolf's shutdown & safely re-opening PA

PA Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed creating a “Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps” to combat COVID-19 and help put unemployed Pennsylvanians back to work—working for the government, that is. 

Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs Board Member David Hogg, an entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of a hospitality development and management company, recently explained in an op-ed how Wolf’s proposal fails to solve a problem of the governor’s own making. This is an audio version of that piece!

Short Take 5: Civilian Coronavirus Corps fails to solve problem Gov. Wolf made

In late June, 2020, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued a scathing Grand Jury report taking aim at Pennsylvania's natural gas industry. But the report was more anti-natural gas politics than fact. Marcellus Shale Coalition President Dave Spigelmyer joins Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette to set the record straight and correct some of the more egregious falsities in the report.

Ep74: Dave Spigelmyer, president, Marcellus Shale Coalition

From fighting overseas as a Captain in the United States Army to fighting in Harrisburg so kids can get a better education, Pennsylvania State Senator Ryan Aument traveled a unique path to the Legislature. 
In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette, Sen. Aument shares how he became interested in public service and how he’s currently working to expand educational opportunity in Pennsylvania.

Ep81: Ryan Aument, PA Senator and former U.S. Army Captain

Good coffee. Good conversation! Get to know Pennsylvania’s political players and policymakers with host Matt Brouillette, president and CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs.

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