Elizabeth Stelle
Vice President of Policy
Elizabeth leads the organization’s research and policy initiatives, focusing on expanding freedom and prosperity in Pennsylvania. Since joining the organization in 2008, she has researched and written extensively on education, energy, the state budget, and healthcare policy.
Her work has contributed to significant policy victories in Pennsylvania, including blocking tax increases, expanding educational-choice opportunities, and enacting a constitutional amendment to strengthen checks on executive power.
A frequent media commentator, Elizabeth’s analysis has appeared in Pennsylvania newspapers, radio, and television outlets, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as in national outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal.
She is a former America’s Future chapter chair and remains active in her community by volunteering with local nonprofits and serving as a foster parent. Elizabeth holds a degree in history from Grove City College and makes her home in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and four children.
Taxes & Economy
Reforming the Welfare Benefits Cliff
Imagine you’re a single mom earning $47,000 a year (or $22.59 an hour) working full-time as an assistant manager at large department store. Your boss pulls you aside with great…
Media
Read More: Reforming the Welfare Benefits CliffHealth Care
State Health Care Exchange: A Dangerous Contingency Plan
A week ago Governor Wolf announced his plan to create a state-based health care exchange if the U.S. Supreme Court nixes taxpayer subsidies to insurance companies through the federal…
Media
Read More: State Health Care Exchange: A Dangerous Contingency PlanState Budget
The Next 1,360 Days
Governor Wolf marked his 100th day in office by providing a list of accomplishments. In reality, the memo is more of a status update since many of his initiatives, including…
Media
Read More: The Next 1,360 DaysHealth Care
Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to Independence
This week marks the beginning of Pennsylvania’s transition from Healthy PA to full Medicaid expansion. Over 100,000 beneficiaries were transferred to the traditional one-size-fits-all healthcare plan known for limited…
Media
Read More: Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to IndependenceTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians Are Working Longer for the Government
Last Saturday Pennsylvanians passed an important milestone: Tax Freedom Day. This is the day Pennsylvanians earn enough dollars to pay off their federal, state and local tax bills for 2015. …
Media
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are Working Longer for the GovernmentHealth Care
Judge Halts Stealth Unionization Scheme
A Commonwealth Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction to stop full enforcement of Gov. Tom Wolf's executive order to stealthily unionize home healthcare workers. For folks like…
Media
Read More: Judge Halts Stealth Unionization SchemeState Budget
The Unintended Consequences of Wolf’s Budget
If the proposed sales tax expansion contained in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal becomes law, Louise Bell's nursing home costs will jump by $3,000—essentially adding a 13th month to her…
Commentary
Read More: The Unintended Consequences of Wolf’s BudgetTaxes & Economy
The Worst “Subsidy” Study You’ll Never Read
The radical environmentalist group and corporate welfare lobbyist PennFuture has updated an absurd study about the “subsidies” Pennsylvania taxpayers pay for fossil fuels. While we oppose subsidies for any industry, most…
Media
Read More: The Worst “Subsidy” Study You’ll Never ReadEducation
Trapped: One Teacher Tells His Story
Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…
Media
Read More: Trapped: One Teacher Tells His StoryHealth Care
Five Years After Obamacare Charity Care Demand Soars
Five years later, the promises of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ring hollow for too many Pennsylvanians. The law’s numerous mandates and regulations continue to drive up the cost of…
Media
Read More: Five Years After Obamacare Charity Care Demand SoarsEducation
Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers
Shortly after graduation, Dominique took a job at one of Philadelphia’s most challenging turnaround high schools, University City. After one very successful year the district experienced significant layoffs…
Media
Read More: Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent TeachersEducation
The Case for More Educational Choice in Philadelphia
Will’s family thought he was one of the chosen few: A Philadelphia student who managed to secure a seat at the high-performing Christopher Columbus Charter School. But…
Media
Read More: The Case for More Educational Choice in PhiladelphiaState Budget
Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans Out
One third of the $675 million in new corporate welfare under Governor's Wolf budget proposal is reserved for alternative energy programs. In this week's House budget hearings Community & Economic…
Media
Read More: Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans OutPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Wolf Authorizes New Union Money-Grab
On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf issued an executive order that effectively helps SEIU (Service Employees International Union) unionize home health care workers. Many of these workers are simply taking…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Authorizes New Union Money-GrabTaxes & Economy
Fair Share? How Pennsylvania Gas Taxes Compare
Pennsylvania is the only top natural gas producing state that doesn’t tax drilling. Sound familiar? It’s a favorite argument of tax proponents, but it misses the big picture. Pennsylvania taxes…
Media
Read More: Fair Share? How Pennsylvania Gas Taxes CompareEducation
A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the City
The plan was for Hudson to attend public school in Philadelphia—at least for one year. But after Andy, Hudson’s father, visited their neighborhood school, Horatio Hackett, he wanted something different…
Media
Read More: A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the CityPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Advances in the Senate
Teachers and government workers are one step closer to getting their voices back. Yesterday, members of the Senate State Government Committee passed a constitutional amendment version of paycheck protection.
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Advances in the SenateRegulation
Long Term Problems are Big Opportunities for Change
Pennsylvania added nearly two dozen new lawmakers in November, and there’s a new face in the Governor’s Mansion. Indeed, that face will look very new, as Tom Wolf is the…
Commentary
Read More: Long Term Problems are Big Opportunities for Change
Wolf Misleads on Need for More Taxes
Gov. Tom Wolf today proposed a new tax on natural gas, fulfilling one of his campaign promises. However, much of his rhetoric doesn’t match reality. Wolf’s proposal calls for a…
Media
Read More: Wolf Misleads on Need for More TaxesHealth Care
Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the Poor
Yesterday’s announcement that Healthy PA will be rolled back in favor of full-scale Medicaid expansion misses the point. Instead of unraveling the few positive reforms incoporated in the original Medicaid waiver,…
Media
Read More: Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the PoorGovernment Accountability
No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want Transparency
Lehigh County commissioners are getting the silent treatment during labor contract negotiations, and they aren’t happy about it. Reportedly, the current county executive, Tom Muller, refused leadership…
Media
Read More: No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want Transparency