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.
Regulation
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 TapTaxes & Economy
Biofuel Failure becomes Natural Gas Success
Pat Copple owns a biodiesel plant in Monaca, or at least he did until May when he started to convert his operation into a Marcellus wastewater treating facility. Copple says the…
Media
Read More: Biofuel Failure becomes Natural Gas SuccessEducation
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying at Pitt
A reader shared the letter below from the University of Pittsburgh. It urges all parents and students to contact their state legislators and protest higher education cuts in the proposed…
Media
Read More: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying at PittTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Hiring Spree Continues
The Center for Workforce Information and Analysis (the research arm of the Department of Labor and Industry) released their April Marcellus Shale Fast Facts, demonstrating tremendous growth in Marcellus…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Hiring Spree Continues