Elizabeth Stelle

Vice President of Policy

Elizabeth Stelle is the Vice President of Policy at the Commonwealth Foundation.

Elizabeth has researched and written on government reform, health care, welfare, energy, and government transparency. Her work has been featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patriot-News, Philadelphia Inquirer, and a variety of radio and television programs throughout the commonwealth. Elizabeth is a graduate of Grove City College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

A native of Ohio, Elizabeth makes her home in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and four children. She enjoys swimming, traveling to historic landmarks and exploring the moral foundations of capitalism.

Health Care

How to Help Pennsylvanians Prosper with Medicaid and SNAP Reform 

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 1, 2025

Work requirements, strengthening eligibility verification, and prioritizing traditional enrollees will lead to better outcomes. Summary The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid programs are intended to help adults increase…

Fact Sheet

Read More: How to Help Pennsylvanians Prosper with Medicaid and SNAP Reform 

Health Care

If the ACA Works, Why Do Pennsylvanians Need to Prop It Up?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 11, 2025

Originally published by Delaware Valley Journal. During his budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro claimed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “is working for Pennsylvanians.” So, is he right? Judging by his…

Media Hit

Read More: If the ACA Works, Why Do Pennsylvanians Need to Prop It Up?

Prosperity

Governor Shapiro’s Budget is Nothing New

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 17, 2025

Originally published by the York Dispatch. “I love Groundhog Day,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro during the budget address. Of course, the governor meant the Pennsylvania tradition of Punxsutawney…

Media Hit

Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Budget is Nothing New

Prosperity

New Year, New Taxes in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 15, 2025

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The new year is always a great opportunity to shed vices like smoking and binge eating. For state and local lawmakers, their guilty pleasure tends…

Media Hit

Read More: New Year, New Taxes in Pennsylvania

Fairness

Give Shapiro the Election Reform He Wants and PA Needs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 17, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The 2024 election is finally over. On December 4th, the Pennsylvania Department of State certified the results – almost one month after Election Day. And…

Media Hit

Read More: Give Shapiro the Election Reform He Wants and PA Needs

Fairness

A Monopoly Is Coming—Steel Yourself for It

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 15, 2024

Originally published at The Wall Street Journal On U.S. Steel’s proposed merger with Nippon Steel, President Biden and President-elect Trump have listened to national union executives, not local union…

Media Hit

Read More: A Monopoly Is Coming—Steel Yourself for It

Prosperity

Corporate welfare doesn’t work. Cutting red tape does.

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 11, 2024

Originally published at Broad + Liberty In 2021, Pennsylvania lawmakers created the Local Resource Manufacturing (LRM) tax credit to attract businesses to the Keystone State. Shortly after, Nacero, a…

Media Hit

Read More: Corporate welfare doesn’t work. Cutting red tape does.

Prosperity

Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red Tape

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 26, 2024

Originally published at The Philadelphia Citizen For two years, Gov. Josh Shapiro has talked about the need for government to “move at the speed of business.” Though…

Media Hit

Read More: Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red Tape

Education

The U.S. Department of Education against education

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 20, 2024

Originally published at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette More than half of students take at least one course online, and many take more. Because of overregulation from the U.S. Department of…

Media Hit

Read More: The U.S. Department of Education against education

Energy

Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enough

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 25, 2024

Originally published at The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro brags about making Pennsylvania “open for business” and “competitive as hell.” He recently tweeted, “We’ve cut red…

Media Hit

Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enough

Health Care

Instead of a ‘Public Option’, We Need a ‘Personal Option’

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 23, 2024

Originally published at RealClearHealth Health care is a mess—and our political leaders aren’t helping. Presidential candidates only offer vague ideas to address our health care problems. From former President…

Media Hit

Read More: Instead of a ‘Public Option’, We Need a ‘Personal Option’

Energy

The DEP won’t use the people who can solve the problem

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 9, 2024

Originally published at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Government red tape has long been a problem in Pennsylvania, hindering economic growth and making the commonwealth unattractive for businesses. To address this…

Media Hit

Read More: The DEP won’t use the people who can solve the problem

Education

Shapiro’s Backward Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 2, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvania’s most precious resource – people – are leaving. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s newly adopted 2024–25 state budget, once more, mimics the policies of other declining…

Media Hit

Read More: Shapiro’s Backward Budget

Education

Fully funded public education must include cyber charters

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 19, 2024

Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review When a parent says that a public school isn’t what it used to be, the implication is usually bad. But for Brenda Jesky,…

Media Hit

Read More: Fully funded public education must include cyber charters

Education

Education Needs More Choices—Not More Money

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 11, 2024

Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration chide the Pennsylvania legislature for hoarding cash with spending sights aimed at draining the commonwealth’s $7 billion Rainy…

Media Hit

Read More: Education Needs More Choices—Not More Money

Education

“Grow PA” Offers a Higher-Ed Reform Model for the Nation

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2024

Originally published at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal Too often, lawmakers want to fix higher education by blindly throwing money at the problem. From President Joe…

Media Hit

Read More: “Grow PA” Offers a Higher-Ed Reform Model for the Nation

Education

Pa. schools don’t need more money, students need alternatives

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 8, 2024

Originally published at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette School districts know how to add, but not Pennsylvania students. Statewide scores show declining student outcomes despite historic public education spending. Pennsylvania school…

Media Hit

Read More: Pa. schools don’t need more money, students need alternatives

Health Care

Petty politics and bad regulations hinder telemedicine

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 2, 2024

Originally published at The Patriot-News Dr. Marlene Wüst-Smith practiced telemedicine before it became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, government restrictions sometimes hinder her ability to practice this…

Media Hit

Read More: Petty politics and bad regulations hinder telemedicine

Regulation

Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 21, 2024

Originally published at Broad + Liberty Politicians celebrate taxpayer funds pouring into Pennsylvania to “bridge the digital divide.” Last month, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) praised the approval of…

Media Hit

Read More: Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.

Education

Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 25, 2024

Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal A lot of bad plans on how to make higher education affordable exist. There is Gov. Josh Shapiro’s vague “blueprint,” which lacks…

Media Hit

Read More: Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction