Andrew Lewis
President & CEO
Andrew Lewis is the President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation.
As a former state legislator, business executive, entrepreneur, and decorated Army combat veteran, Andrew brings a wealth of diverse experience to his role leading Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank.
Andrew is a tireless champion of individual liberties, free markets, and limited government. During his two terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, he led the fight to pass universal school choice and empower parents. And he actively advocated for the Taxpayer Protection Act, which would have limited the growth of state government spending through constitutional amendment.
In the private sector, Andrew spearheaded the growth of two small businesses into successful companies before leading a key division at one of the premier regional homebuilding companies in the United States.
Andrew is an Iraq War veteran with almost ten years of active duty in Army reconnaissance and counterintelligence. He received five commendation medals, and his assignments included posts in South Korea and at the White House Military Office. He currently serves in the Army Reserve as a Civil Affairs Officer.
He holds a BA in political science from Thomas Edison State University, an MBA from Temple University, and a Master’s in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. In addition, he is a graduate of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Entrepreneurial Bootcamp at Syracuse University.
Andrew, his wife, Ranae, and their three boys reside in the State College area.
Education
Pa. Public Education is Anything but Adequate
Originally published by TribLIVE. Western Pennsylvania school districts have a problem that doesn’t fit neatly into Pennsylvania’s formula for “adequacy funding.” Per recent reporting, several districts…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. Public Education is Anything but AdequateEnergy
America Needs Pennsylvania’s Energy [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest natural gas reserves on the planet. It exports electricity, supports high-paying energy jobs, and has the potential to expand its nuclear power capacity.
Blog
Read More: America Needs Pennsylvania’s Energy [PODCAST]Education
When Schools Aren’t Safe, Families Deserve Better Choices
The hazing story coming out of Cheltenham High—in which a 15-year-old football player not only endured sexual assault by his teammates but also was silenced by…
Blog
Read More: When Schools Aren’t Safe, Families Deserve Better ChoicesEducation
Could This Be the Biggest School Choice Victory Yet? [PODCAST]
The new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit could dramatically expand educational opportunity across America—but only if governors choose to opt in. Andrew Lewis sits down with Tommy Schultz, CEO of…
Blog
Read More: Could This Be the Biggest School Choice Victory Yet? [PODCAST]Energy
Pennsylvania Stopped Costly Energy Taxes. But Government Mandates are Still Driving Up Electricity Bills.
Originally published by TribLIVE. Pennsylvania families, already struggling to afford the rising cost of living, avoided even more expensive utility bills with the recently passed state budget. When Gov.
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Stopped Costly Energy Taxes. But Government Mandates are Still Driving Up Electricity Bills.State Budget
Pennsylvania Avoided Tax Hikes—But Only for Now
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Twelve days behind schedule—but still 110 days earlier than last year—Pennsylvania lawmakers finally passed a $52.2 billion state budget. The deal,…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Avoided Tax Hikes—But Only for Now
Why Teachers Unions Fear—and Fib About—New Federal Program
Originally published by the Washington Examiner. The teachers unions are scared and desperate these days. How else do you explain the spectacle of …
Media Hit
Read More: Why Teachers Unions Fear—and Fib About—New Federal ProgramState Budget
Inside Pennsylvania’s Budget Battle [PODCAST]
What really happens behind closed doors during Pennsylvania’s budget negotiations? Andrew Lewis sits down with former Pennsylvania Senate Secretary-Parliamentarian Megan Martin (now the Commonwealth Foundation’s chief operating officer and…
Blog
Read More: Inside Pennsylvania’s Budget Battle [PODCAST]Education
The Choice That Changed My Life [PODCAST]
A single educational opportunity can change the course of a life. Andrew Lewis sits down with two Pennsylvanians whose lives were transformed by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)…
Blog
Read More: The Choice That Changed My Life [PODCAST]Education
How Shapiro Turned on School Choice
Originally published by The Washington Times. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, Pennsylvanians should be celebrating, but instead, many low- and middle-class…
Media Hit
Read More: How Shapiro Turned on School ChoiceHealth Care
Personal Option Needed
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Editorial Board is right: Washington is failing patients. But a public option would only make…
Media Hit
Read More: Personal Option NeededEducation
Pennsylvania House Democrats Just Voted to Abandon Educational Choice
Originally published by The Center Square. Pennsylvania Democrats have never been more brazen in their disregard for educational choice. House Democrats recently advanced legislation that…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania House Democrats Just Voted to Abandon Educational ChoiceEducation
Trust Parents, Not Bureaucracies [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania spends nearly $24,000 per student each year, yet fewer than one-third of eighth graders are proficient in math and reading. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis…
Blog
Read More: Trust Parents, Not Bureaucracies [PODCAST]Education
PA House Dems Voted to Rip Scholarships Away from Kids
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania House Democrats on the Education Committee quietly did something extraordinary—and not in a good way. With barely a day’s…
Media Hit
Read More: PA House Dems Voted to Rip Scholarships Away from KidsRegulation
Forced Parental Leave Will Decimate Allegheny County Small Businesses
Originally published by TribLIVE. Once upon a time, I ran a construction business with my brother, and, like most small business owners, we faced the ceaseless…
Media Hit
Read More: Forced Parental Leave Will Decimate Allegheny County Small BusinessesRegulation
From Red Tape to Red Carpet [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania state government has been notorious for red tape. Now, lawmakers are working to roll out the red carpet to streamline the permitting process. Andrew Lewis sits down with…
Blog
Read More: From Red Tape to Red Carpet [PODCAST]State Budget
Can Pennsylvania Afford This Budget? [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania is spending more than it takes in. What happens next? Andrew Lewis welcomes taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist to discuss the national tax landscape before turning to a pressing question…
Blog
Read More: Can Pennsylvania Afford This Budget? [PODCAST]State Budget
Don’t California My Pennsylvania [PODCAST]
What do California’s budget problems, homelessness crisis, and alleged welfare fraud scandals all have in common? According to California Policy Center CEO Will Swaim, they’re the predictable result of…
Blog
Read More: Don’t California My Pennsylvania [PODCAST]Education
Kathy Hochul Tries Having It Both Ways On School Choice
Originally published by Daily Caller. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul seems to be walking a tightrope on education reform. Last week, she surprised…
Media Hit
Read More: Kathy Hochul Tries Having It Both Ways On School Choice
RGGI Hurt Pennsylvanians. Shapiro’s Lightning Plan Will Be Worse.
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania spent six years watching energy investment flee the state—all because of the mere possibility of a carbon tax scheme. Now, Gov.
Media Hit
Read More: RGGI Hurt Pennsylvanians. Shapiro’s Lightning Plan Will Be Worse.Education
Blame Misplaced
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Joel Naroff’s recent op-ed correctly identifies many of the historic and structural problems facing Philadelphia’s school…
Media Hit
Read More: Blame Misplaced