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.
Education
Teachers Unions are Out of Touch on School Choice
A recently released poll by Education Next finds widespread—and growing—support for school choice in America. Moreover, this support crosses racial and party lines. Pennsylvania’s two types of school choice—charter…
Media
Read More: Teachers Unions are Out of Touch on School ChoicePublic Union Democracy
Transparency Can Curb the High Taxpayer Cost of Government Union Contracts
Behind closed doors, Pennsylvania elected officials routinely negotiate billion-dollar contracts with government unions leaders. Three new contracts will cost an additional $1 billion from 2019-23.
Memo
Read More: Transparency Can Curb the High Taxpayer Cost of Government Union ContractsTaxes & Economy
Restore PA Doubles Down on Taxes
Pennsylvania native and founding father Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “The problem with common sense is, it isn’t.” As with so very many things in the political sphere, in Governor Wolf’s…
Media
Read More: Restore PA Doubles Down on Taxes
Report Shows Govt. Union Leaders Striking Back in the States
August 28, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.— After the Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision, government unions leaders are striking back at the state level with flurry of union-friendly bills across the country…
Press Release
Read More: Report Shows Govt. Union Leaders Striking Back in the StatesPublic Union Democracy
The Janus Impact and Grading of State Public Sector Labor Laws
In the Janus aftermath, pro-union forces make legislative headway counteracting the court decision, while workers push back in the courts. This report details the trends, and grades each state according to…
Report
Read More: The Janus Impact and Grading of State Public Sector Labor LawsEducation
A Quality Education for Harrisburg Kids
Gov. Wolf likes to talk about getting every child a quality education no matter their zip code. Speaker Mike Turzai just unveiled a plan that would turn that platitude into…
Media
Read More: A Quality Education for Harrisburg Kids
On Alcohol, Can We at Least Be Like Sweden?
What do Pennsylvania and Sweden have in common? Aside from Sweden’s short-lived colony on the Delaware River, very little. Except a government liquor monopoly. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
Media
Read More: On Alcohol, Can We at Least Be Like Sweden?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business Climate
Pennsylvania’s economy is the most diverse in America. With the release of the latest Bloomberg Economic Diversity Index, Pennsylvania surpassed both Colorado and Texas to claim the top spot. The benefit…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business ClimateEducation
Gov. Wolf Attacks Charters with 11 Executive Actions
Earlier this summer, Gov. Wolf vetoed an expansion of tax credit scholarships that would have empowered thousands of Pennsylvania students. Now, he’s turned his attention to charter schools. The…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Attacks Charters with 11 Executive ActionsState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act Is Commonsense
For over a decade, various lawmakers have introduced Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) legislation to get a handle on Pennsylvania’s out of control budget. This overspending hurts our economy, drives away…
Media
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act Is CommonsenseState Budget
Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 1
Pennsylvania's largest budget items are growing unsustainably fast. The budget can only be brought under control only if these cost drivers are addressed.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 1Criminal Justice Reform
School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape Valve
Anthony Samuels is “the only male in my family that doesn’t have a record.” Rather, Anthony is a college graduate and a business owner. At an age when many…
Media
Read More: School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape ValveGovernment Accountability
Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 Billion
How much is the cost of doing business with Pennsylvania state government unions? For the most recent round of contract negotiations, an additional $1.15 billion over the next four years.
Media
Read More: Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 BillionEducation
Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan
Today, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his plans to alter accountability mechanisms for Pennsylvania's charter schools. However, Gov. Wolf's strategy is not as much about accountability as it is his administration's attempt…
Press Release
Read More: Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability PlanEducation
Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the Feeling
This year has been rough for Pittsburgh sports fans. The Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Penguins made it to the post-season for the 13th…
Media
Read More: Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the FeelingRegulation
Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor
The founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, believed strong liberty of conscience was essential to a flourishing society. But Pennsylvania’s current slough of sin taxes shrug off Penn’s warning. Pennsylvania’s sin…
Media
Read More: Cigarette Taxes Target the PoorEducation
A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”
If there’s one team that has stopped the “City of Champions” from having more Super Bowl championships, it’s the Evil Empire from up north: the New England Patriots. And if…
Media
Read More: A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”Regulation
Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps Taking
Less than a year ago Pennsylvania’s state government offered Amazon billions in tax incentives to bring its HQ-2 location here. Amazon said no. But, when the commerce giant decided to open…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps TakingState Budget
A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a Mistake
In June, when the state legislature passed the budget, they included something extra: a $673 million “supplemental appropriation” to cover overspending in the previous fiscal year. In other words, the Wolf…
Media
Read More: A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a MistakePublic Union Democracy
Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCME
One year after Janus unions lost significant fee-based revenue, fee-payers largely remain non-union, and existing members—frequently unaware of the ruling or restricted from resigning—often maintain membership…
Memo
Read More: Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCMETaxes & Economy
The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem
In 2012, lawmakers ended a small cash welfare program called General Assistance. Despite all the recent Democratic hubbub, none of the members actually tried to restart the program through the…
Media
Read More: The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem