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.
Government Accountability
Pennsylvania Needs Genuine Election Integrity Reform
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. Imagine that you are at the liquor store but forgot your ID. Don’t worry, your friend can sign an affidavit saying you’re over 21.
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Needs Genuine Election Integrity ReformHealth Care
Five Facts Everyone Needs to Know About Medicaid
Medicaid is broken, and restoring the federal program to its original intent is crucial to saving this vital health care safety net. This requires fiscal sanity in Washington, D.C. Yet,…
Blog
Read More: Five Facts Everyone Needs to Know About MedicaidEducation
Pritzker and Shapiro are Two Progressive Peas in a Pod
In his recent Wall Street Journal feature about the presidential ambitions of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, John McCormick floated Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as an alternative…
Blog
Read More: Pritzker and Shapiro are Two Progressive Peas in a PodRegulation
How To Make Pennsylvania Manufacturing Boom
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. President Donald Trump and Gov. Josh Shapiro can agree on one thing: Pennsylvania needs a manufacturing boom. Political talk and regulatory action, however, are two different…
Media Hit
Read More: How To Make Pennsylvania Manufacturing BoomHealth Care
Medicaid Reform Needed to Eliminate Waste and Fraud
Originally published by Morning Call. Our national health-care safety net, known as Medicaid, is fundamentally broken. It prioritizes the healthy over the sick and insurers over patients—with little accountability. Finally,…
Media Hit
Read More: Medicaid Reform Needed to Eliminate Waste and FraudWelfare
How to Help Pennsylvanians Prosper with Medicaid and SNAP Reform
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 ReformHealth Care
If the ACA Works, Why Do Pennsylvanians Need to Prop It Up?
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?State Budget
Governor Shapiro’s Budget is Nothing New
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 NewTaxes & Economy
New Year, New Taxes in Pennsylvania
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 PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Give Shapiro the Election Reform He Wants and PA Needs
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 NeedsPublic Union Democracy
A Monopoly Is Coming—Steel Yourself for It
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 ItRegulation
Corporate welfare doesn’t work. Cutting red tape does.
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.Regulation
Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red Tape
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 TapeEducation
The U.S. Department of Education against education
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 educationRegulation
Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enough
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 enoughHealth Care
Instead of a ‘Public Option’, We Need a ‘Personal Option’
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
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 problemState Budget
Shapiro’s Backward Budget
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 BudgetEducation
Fully funded public education must include cyber charters
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 chartersEducation
Education Needs More Choices—Not More Money
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 MoneyEducation
“Grow PA” Offers a Higher-Ed Reform Model for the Nation
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