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.
Op-Ed: Covid didn’t “break” parents
Few things are more sickening than the realization that something you disagree with will happen to your child and there is nothing you can do about it.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Covid didn’t “break” parents
Excellent Education for All Act Summary
The Excellent Education for All Act (House Bill 1) is a transformative plan that ensures more Pennsylvania children have access to an excellent education.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Excellent Education for All Act SummaryEnergy
Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a controversial compact designed to tax electricity producers for emitting carbon. The Wolf administration is attempting to join the initiative through regulation in…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Consequences of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)Energy
Op-Ed: Wolf climate change plan will kill Pa. jobs
Joining RGGI will hurt our economy. States that participate in the RGGI have seen major decreases in goods manufacturing (down 8.6% from 2007 to 2019) thanks to rising energy costs.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Wolf climate change plan will kill Pa. jobsState Budget
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Relief Funds
During the pandemic, Pennsylvania directed more funding to closed schools than to health care.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania COVID-19 Relief FundsState Budget
Reinvigorating Pennsylvania with One-time American Rescue Plan Funds
Pennsylvania’s chronic overspending, mediocre tax structure, and high regulatory burden are limiting growth and investment. We must pass reforms in these areas to make our economy healthier and more dynamic.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Reinvigorating Pennsylvania with One-time American Rescue Plan FundsHealth Care
7 Signs Pa.’s Pandemic Recovery Is Falling Behind
Pennsylvania business closures continue to be among the worst in the nation. …
Fact Sheet
Read More: 7 Signs Pa.’s Pandemic Recovery Is Falling Behind
A Brief History of Tom Wolf’s Tax Hike Proposals
Since taking office seven years ago, Governor Wolf has proposed or supported 14 tax hikes on working families.
Fact Sheet
Read More: A Brief History of Tom Wolf’s Tax Hike Proposals
Op-Ed: Support emergency powers amendment to restore transparency in state government
Other states are finding ways to improve transparency and provide clear benchmarks for reopening despite the crisis. Wolf’s insistence on secrecy calls into question his leadership and management of the…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Support emergency powers amendment to restore transparency in state government
Downsides of the Minimum Wage
Thank you Chairman Roae, Chairman Galloway, and members of the House Commerce Committee for inviting the Commonwealth Foundation to testify on this persistent issue. I am Elizabeth Stelle, the Director…
Testimony
Read More: Downsides of the Minimum WageState Budget
Gov. Wolf’s Budget Plan & Working Families
Chairman Causer and members of the House Majority Policy Committee, thank you for inviting the Commonwealth Foundation to testify on the impact of Governor Wolf’s budget proposal. My name is…
Testimony
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Op-Ed: The dangerous legacy of emergencies like Covid-19
Recent crises show that trading liberty for security risks a permanent loss of freedom.
Commentary
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Caring for Kids and Communities: The 2021 State Budget
A successful recovery is not dependent on government aid; it requires education lifelines for families, regulatory and tax relief for small businesses, and health care reforms to bolster patient access…
Backgrounder
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Pa. Governor’s Emergency Powers Out of Step with Most States
Pennsylvania’s emergency powers rules make our state sixth-worst in the nation, tied with others like New York and Delaware, according to the Maine Policy Institute’s Balance of Power Index. The…
Commentary
Read More: Pa. Governor’s Emergency Powers Out of Step with Most States
An election crisis like no other?
If you think 2020 is bad, you don’t know 1876.
Commentary
Read More: An election crisis like no other?State Budget
Balancing the State Budget Didn’t Have to Be This Hard
If lawmakers had enacted the Taxpayer Protection Act in 2018, they would face a $770 million gap between revenues and spending. Going one step further, if lawmakers had enacted the…
Commentary
Read More: Balancing the State Budget Didn’t Have to Be This HardState Budget
How to Balance the State Budget without Raising Taxes in a Pandemic
Reducing spending to reflect how the pandemic impacted state agencies and balance the budget without tax hikes or borrowing is the first step. Without additional structural spending changes laid out in…
Backgrounder
Read More: How to Balance the State Budget without Raising Taxes in a Pandemic
Op-Ed: Despite pandemic challenges, health care improvements are underway
Fixing America’s health care system will take time but the signs of progress are encouraging. If our elected leaders in Washington and Harrisburg can continue to peel back rigid restrictions,…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Despite pandemic challenges, health care improvements are underwayRegulation
Help Restaurants by Privatizing the PLCB
Clearly, Gov. Wolf looks out of touch—and perhaps he knows it. Last week, following his veto, he released a proposal to waiver license fees collected by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB)…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Help Restaurants by Privatizing the PLCBHealth Care
Preserving Medicaid Before It’s Too Late
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program is a national leader in all the wrong ways. Sub-standard access to care and soaring enrollment, costs, and fraud crowd out services for people with intellectual disabilities and low-income…
Backgrounder
Read More: Preserving Medicaid Before It’s Too LateHealth Care
Lawmakers Push to Do Better, Rebuild Our Economy
Today the Republicans in the Pa. House attempted to override the Governor’s veto of HR 836, the bill that would end Pennsylvania’s 6-month long state of emergency and the…
Commentary
Read More: Lawmakers Push to Do Better, Rebuild Our Economy