Elizabeth Stelle
Vice President of Policy
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.
Health 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 MisinformationTaxes & Economy
PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the Air
In recent months, there has been much talk over air quality in areas with heavy Marcellus Shale drilling. Some have claimed drilling operations release enough chemicals into the air to…
Media
Read More: PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the AirEducation
What’s Missing in Higher Education
While inputs like SAT scores, class rank, and GPA are plentiful, there are very few measures of college outputs, and the ones that are reported are very concerning. An analysis…
Media
Read More: What’s Missing in Higher EducationState Budget
Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. Congress
Government debt and wasteful spending is a constant subject on PolicyBlog and is playing a large part in this year’s elections. But one thing that isn’t so common is two…
Media
Read More: Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. CongressTaxes & Economy
Citizens Reject “Pipeline to Nowhere”
A couple of weeks ago we blogged about DEP Secretary Hanger’s plan to build a $12 million, 12 mile water line from Montrose to Dimock to serve about 14…
Media
Read More: Citizens Reject “Pipeline to Nowhere”Taxes & Economy
What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?
On Friday, I attended a Marcellus Shale Forum, which featured presentations on a variety of issues, including methane migration, water disposal, and drilling safety. Contrary to some popular belief,…
Media
Read More: What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?State Budget
Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47
Last night, Harrisburg officials held a hearing to determine if the city qualifies for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, Act 47. Mayor Linda Thompson and Governor Rendell support entrance…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47Government Accountability
Get Ready to Be Amazed
In Lancaster County, PA, local government officials have done the inconceivable—they’ve given up their raises. Strasburg Borough’s ten employees including police, public works, and administrative assistants, agreed to forgo…
Media
Read More: Get Ready to Be AmazedRegulation
Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near You
Gov. Rendell's recent state bailout of the city of Harrisburg has brought attention to the capital city's fiscal mismanagement. With millions in debt payments and an enormous pension obligation, Harrisburg's…
Commentary
Read More: Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near You