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.
Taxes & Economy
Counties Lobby for Marcellus Tax (Fee)
This week, county officials repeatedly asked the Senate Majority Policy Committee for more revenue, principally from a “fee” on natural gas extraction. Of the 12 testifiers speaking on local…
Media
Read More: Counties Lobby for Marcellus Tax (Fee)Government Accountability
Spending Transparency on the Fast Track in PA
Yesterday, Rep. Christiana’s PennWATCH proposal passed the House State Government Committee along with a number of reform measures designed to bring more transparency to state spending. The legislation (HB 15) is scheduled…
Media
Read More: Spending Transparency on the Fast Track in PA
Intern with CF this Summer
Are you a student or do you know a student looking to advance their career while advancing liberty? The IHS Charles G. Koch Summer Fellows Program provides summer…
Media
Read More: Intern with CF this SummerEnergy
Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & Competition 2011
In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & Competition 2011Health Care
What State Legislators Can Do to Protect Health Care Freedom
ALEC’s new State Legislators Guide to Repealing Obamacare is a wealth of ideas for state legislators and in turn, activists who are dedicated to implementing true healthcare freedoms.
Media
Read More: What State Legislators Can Do to Protect Health Care FreedomGovernment Accountability
Good Government Reforms Stall
In November, many legislative candidates campaigned on cutting costs in the legislature through specific, commonsense reforms. Ending the frequent abuse of per diems and requiring receipts for expenses topped the list,…
Media
Read More: Good Government Reforms StallGovernment Accountability
Are Freshmen Lawmakers Bad for State Legislatures?
Governing magazine looks at the disadvantages to term limits, focusing on the constant turnover in state legislatures. Recognizing the inexperience of lawmakers, states like Michigan and California are setting up…
Media
Read More: Are Freshmen Lawmakers Bad for State Legislatures?Regulation
Cigarette Taxes Increase Crime
Our friends at the Mackinac Center have released a study on the smuggling of cigarettes due to high cigarette taxes. While politicians often tout raising taxes as a tool to…
Media
Read More: Cigarette Taxes Increase CrimeHealth Care
Medicaid: A State Budget Buster
Medicaid is gobbling up state budgets left and right, and Pennsylvania is no exception. State Medicaid costs from 2014 through 2020 are estimated to increase by $841.2…
Media
Read More: Medicaid: A State Budget BusterTaxes & Economy
Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy Failure
In 2001, Mayor Vera Katz promised Portland, Ore. would acquire 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. Today, only nine percent of Portland’s energy comes from renewables. What…
Media
Read More: Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy FailureRegulation
Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales Sanctioned
The State Supreme Court has ruled uniamously that Wegmen’s and other grocery stores with restaurants are allowed to apply for retail beer licenses, which allow them to sell six…
Media
Read More: Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales Sanctioned
Unemployment Compensation Time Bomb Set to Explode
Unemployment woes are back in the news. With benefit extensions up for debate, a much bigger unemployment problem is on the horizon. Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation fund is bankrupt, but…
Media
Read More: Unemployment Compensation Time Bomb Set to ExplodeTaxes & Economy
Family Feud Fuels Anti-Drilling Folly, Fiasco
Last week, the Wall Street Journal featured the leasing saga of the Price family, a Silver Lake Township, Pa., clan whose fickle family…
Media
Read More: Family Feud Fuels Anti-Drilling Folly, FiascoEducation
Why Do PA College Grads Have so Much Debt?
Pennsylvania college grads are accumulating staggering levels of debt—higher than the national average. Sunday’s Tribune-Review reports the all-too-common story of young college grads tens of thousands of dollars in…
Media
Read More: Why Do PA College Grads Have so Much Debt?Regulation
No WAMS Pledge
The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania is starting a new campaign to banish WAMs (Walking Around Money) from the General Assembly, much like some members of Congress are attempting to…
Media
Read More: No WAMS PledgeRegulation
PA House Passes Recycling Mandate
Monday’s State House voting session focused on the pension bailout, but in the flurry of activity, a little discussed recycling bill that will cost manufacturers thousands annually and deter new…
Media
Read More: PA House Passes Recycling MandateTaxes & Economy
Gas Pipelines and Eminent Domain
There is another battle brewing over the development of the Marcellus Shale—pipeline construction and eminent domain. With little infrastructure in place, pipeline companies are contributing to the Marcellus economic…
Media
Read More: Gas Pipelines and Eminent DomainGovernment Accountability
Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA House
Today, Speaker McCall called the Pennsylvania House back into voting session on November 15th. Members are expected to vote a couple of key pieces of legislation including the ill-conceived…
Media
Read More: Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA HouseTaxes & Economy
PennVEST Approves the Pipeline to Nowhere
Yesterday, the PennVEST board met in a crowded room and voted to approve an “emergency application” to construct a 12-mile pipeline to about 14 homes with a $11.7 million taxpayer-funded…
Media
Read More: PennVEST Approves the Pipeline to NowhereTaxes & Economy
PENNVEST to Vote on $12 Million “Pipeline to Nowhere” Tomorrow
Tomorrow, November 9th, PENNVEST will meet to approve a $12 million dollar grant & loan to construct a 12 mile water line from Montrose to Dimock Township in…
Media
Read More: PENNVEST to Vote on $12 Million “Pipeline to Nowhere” TomorrowRegulation
Defending State Pensions with Misinformation
A guest editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer defends HB2497—the pension deferral plan, by mischaracterizing its impact on the taxpayers and the economy. One myth is that a defined-benefit plan…
Media
Read More: Defending State Pensions with Misinformation