Chastity Kishpaugh
Director of the Office of the CEO
Chastity Kishpaugh is the Director of the Office of the CEO at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Originally from Southern California, she traded sunny skies for the adventure of life as a U.S. Army spouse more than 25 years ago—a journey that shaped both her leadership style and her passion for service.
While living abroad, Chastity discovered her deep commitment to relationship building. As a volunteer, she served soldiers and their loved ones, supporting military families through extended deployments. This experience laid the foundation for a career centered on people, purpose, and connection.
Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Chastity worked in the new home industry, where she led strategy, events, and training initiatives. Across every role, she brings a thoughtful, people-first approach that strengthens organizations and the communities they serve.
Regulation
With Details, Wolf Budget “Framework” Looks Even Worse
Now that the Pennsylvania Senate has begun passing legislation, taxpayers can finally see what’s in Gov. Wolf’s “framework” for a new budget. Based on the passage of SB 1073 and…
Media
Read More: With Details, Wolf Budget “Framework” Looks Even WorseState Budget
17,496 Reasons to Reject Higher Taxes
How high would you say Pennsylvania’s state and local tax burden is per family of four? $5,000?$10,000? Maybe even $15,000? If you guessed the latter, you’d be close – but…
Media
Read More: 17,496 Reasons to Reject Higher TaxesState Budget
Do New Budget Plans Protect Taxpayers?
Details of a proposed budget “framework” are slowly emerging. The Senate has advanced a General Fund spending plan, which seems to have Gov. Wolf’s support, of about $30.79…
Media
Read More: Do New Budget Plans Protect Taxpayers?State Budget
A Brief History of Wolf’s Tax Hikes
Yesterday, the State House of Representatives announced they were moving off the latest Wolf tax hike proposal and onto a new plan that called for less spending and fewer…
Media
Read More: A Brief History of Wolf’s Tax HikesRegulation
Prohibition Never Ended
Tomorrow marks 82 years since the official end of Prohibition. Yet, Pennsylvania is still dealing with its own version of Prohibition in the form of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The…
Media
Read More: Prohibition Never EndedState Budget
Taxes: Isn’t $17,000 Per Family of Four Enough?
Taxes: Isn’t $17,000 Per Family of Four Enough? Pennsylvanians Already Overburdened with State & Local Taxes December 4, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Did you know Pennsylvania’s state and local tax burden…
Press Release
Read More: Taxes: Isn’t $17,000 Per Family of Four Enough?State Budget
Quiz: Are You a Budget Gridlock Guru?
Are you a budget gridlock guru? Check out the quiz below to see if you're up to speed on the latest in Pennsylvania's historic budget impasse. …
Media
Read More: Quiz: Are You a Budget Gridlock Guru?State Budget
Wolf’s “Pressure” Causes Real Pain
After five months without a state budget, three failed tax hike plans, and two vetoed stop-gap plans, Gov. Wolf refuses to abandon his harmful strategy of holding children, abuse victims,…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s “Pressure” Causes Real PainRegulation
Pension Reform Saves Another City
A few weeks ago Clairton became the second Pennsylvania city to leave the Act 47 program for distressed municipalities. Nanticoke was the first city to leave earlier this year. Instrumental…
Media
Read More: Pension Reform Saves Another CityState Budget
Yet Another Tax Hike Proposal
Details are slowly emerging about a potential fifth tax hike proposal in state budget negotiations. This comes after Gov. Wolf’s most recent plan to raise the state sales tax…
Media
Read More: Yet Another Tax Hike ProposalState Budget
No One Wants Higher Taxes
The latest reports out of the state Capitol suggest that including a sales tax increase in the budget framework—which we addressed earlier—is off the table. Turns out, lawmakers weren’t too keen on…
Media
Read More: No One Wants Higher TaxesTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage
Pennsylvanians dodged a lot of bad policy in the final budget deal. One less talked about issue was the Governor's $10.10 minimum wage proposal. In the waning days of the…
Media
Read More: Minimum WageState Budget
Stopgap Budget Could Avoid Thanksgiving Pain
Stopgap Budget Could Avoid Thanksgiving Pain Emergency Funding Needed for Vulnerable Pennsylvanians November 19, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—One week from Thanksgiving, the state budget impasse has forced the Mercer…
Press Release
Read More: Stopgap Budget Could Avoid Thanksgiving PainRegulation
10 Reasons to Banish the Booze Bureaucracy
Gov. Wolf is committed to protecting the government's monopoly on the sale of wine and liquor. When talking to reporters this past Monday, the governor’s spokesman said of Wolf…
Media
Read More: 10 Reasons to Banish the Booze BureaucracyEducation
Tax Shifts and Education Spending
As proposals to reduce, reform, or (mostly) eliminate school property taxes continue to be debated in Harrisburg, many readers have asked about our position on a dollar-for-dollar tax shift,…
Media
Read More: Tax Shifts and Education SpendingRegulation
How is Property Tax Relief Doled Out?
Among the many questions in a tentative state budget deal is how revenue from the sales tax increase would be distributed. The Associated Press notes this will be…
Media
Read More: How is Property Tax Relief Doled Out?Education
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
PA Fails Integrity Test
There is a clear need for improved governmental accountability and transparency in Pennsylvania, but how does the commonwealth compare to the rest of the country? According to the Center…
Media
Read More: PA Fails Integrity TestEducation
For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters Control
Should voters have the right to approve property tax increases? This is a central point of contention within a rumored budget framework that purports to provide Pennsylvanians with property tax…
Media
Read More: For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters Control