Elizabeth Stelle
Director of Policy Analysis
Elizabeth has researched and written on government reform, health care, welfare, energy, and government transparency. Her work has been featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patriot-News, Philadelphia Inquirer, and a variety of radio and television programs throughout the commonwealth. Elizabeth is a graduate of Grove City College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
A native of Ohio, Elizabeth makes her home in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and four children. She enjoys swimming, traveling to historic landmarks and exploring the moral foundations of capitalism.
Welfare
Welfare Funds for Home Bowling Alley
What do bowling alleys, chandeliers, and six-person hot tubs have in common? They’ve all been purchased with state welfare funds. Yesterday Tim Costa, executive deputy secretary of the Department of…
Media
Read More: Welfare Funds for Home Bowling AlleyTaxes & Economy
By the Way, Residents Don’t Like High Taxes
Dr. Antony Davies, a member of CF’s Council of Scholars, and John Pulito add to the growing body of research showing higher state taxes drive out residents. Their new study,…
Media
Read More: By the Way, Residents Don’t Like High TaxesHealth Care
Changing the Incentives in Medicaid
Medicaid spending is set to skyrocket under the federal health care overhaul in the next two years, but it already consumes 31 percent of Pennsylvania’s budget. It is no…
Media
Read More: Changing the Incentives in MedicaidRegulation
Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes
Facing immense fiscal and political pressures, many local governments are looking for ways to fund services without raising taxes. But officials need not curb their enthusiasm for fiscal responsibility if…
Commentary
Read More: Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax HikesTaxes & Economy
Brain Drain Strikes Again
Last weekend I attended a dinner party just over the Pennsylvania border in Ohio. Our hosts moved across the state line about a year ago and complained to me about…
Media
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Scorecard: Toomey Scores, Casey Fumbles for Pa.
Yesterday, Heritage Action released its legislative scorecard for all members of the 112th U.S. Congress. The scorecard can be searched by name, state or even zip code. Current…
Media
Read More: Scorecard: Toomey Scores, Casey Fumbles for Pa.Taxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale Local Impact Fee
Good evening. I am Elizabeth Stelle, a Policy Analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are Pennsylvania’s free market think that crafts and promotes free-market policies based on guiding principles like…
Testimony
Read More: Marcellus Shale Local Impact FeeEducation
The Real Crime in Philadelphia’s School District
Last year, we blogged on the hefty $65,000 bonus Philadelphia’s Superintendent Arlene Ackerman collected. Her annual base salary, $348,140, was higher than what superintendents collect in New York City,…
Media
Read More: The Real Crime in Philadelphia’s School DistrictTaxes & Economy
EPA Regs Kill PA Jobs
Cap and Trade may be officially dead in Congress but the EPA is busy resurrecting it in a far more disastrous policy agenda that kills thousands of Pennsylvania jobs and…
Media
Read More: EPA Regs Kill PA JobsTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Drilling not Increasing Local Government Costs
A new study from the Marcellus Shale Center for Outreach and Research at Penn State provides an analysis of the cost to local government from Marcells Shale drilling. With…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Drilling not Increasing Local Government CostsTaxes & Economy
Welfare Fraud Persists
The LIHEAP heating assistance program is once again under fire from Auditor General Jack Wagner. A 2007 audit lead the district attorney of Philadelphia to charge 18 people with…
Media
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Big Government’s New Bogeyman…and those Other Guys
Media outlets in Pennsylvania have picked up some stories of attack groups “exposing” the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at their annual meeting in New Orleans this week.
Media
Read More: Big Government’s New Bogeyman…and those Other GuysTaxes & Economy
Debating a Natural Gas Tax
Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer features two editorials debating a natural gas jobs tax. The Inquirer‘s editorial board begins its article with a straw-man argument, that tax opponents’ claim the industry…
Media
Read More: Debating a Natural Gas TaxTaxes & Economy
Corbett’s Commission Endorses Natural Gas Impact Fee
Today, the Marcellus Shale Commission is voting on long-awaited recommendations on natural gas development. The full report will be available next Friday, but the Commission has decided to recommend an…
Media
Read More: Corbett’s Commission Endorses Natural Gas Impact FeeGovernment Accountability
Spending Transparency Coming to Pennsylvania at Last
Pennsylvania taxpayers are one step closer to finding out exactly how state government spends their money. Yesterday, the legislature passed HB 15 to establish PennWATCH—a free public spending database…
Media
Read More: Spending Transparency Coming to Pennsylvania at LastEducation
Can Students Wait One More Year for School Choice?
In 76 days, more than 106,000 kids will return to failing and violent schools, unless the legislature takes action this week. Parents like Joy and Lorenzo are…
Media
Read More: Can Students Wait One More Year for School Choice?Taxes & Economy
Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling Related
Nationwide workforce data shows oil and gas extraction jobs growing at rates far above any other sector of the American economy. According to EMSI’s latest quarterly employment data,…
Media
Read More: Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling RelatedEducation
School Choice Around the Country
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are debating school choice for students in failing schools, which models school programs enacted in other states (many of which have been and are currently being…
Media
Read More: School Choice Around the CountryEducation
How Taxpayers are Funding Big Labor’s Education Failures
More than $92 million in taxpayer dollars for public education is being funneled through school districts back to these special interest groups, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and…
Commentary
Read More: How Taxpayers are Funding Big Labor’s Education FailuresEducation
New Video: Lifeline – Rescuing Kids When Schools Fail
In 2009, students trapped in our worst performing public schools endured seven rapes, 163 robberies, and two official riots. Those simple—and terrifying—facts haven’t been a big enough part of the…
Media
Read More: New Video: Lifeline – Rescuing Kids When Schools FailState Budget
Unemployment Compensation Reform on Tap
This week, the House is expected to take up SB 1030, which would change Unemployment Compensation guidelines to ensured continue benefits for about 45,000 Pennsylvanians and help bring the…
Media
Read More: Unemployment Compensation Reform on Tap