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
The Hail Mary for Solar Subsidies
Solar power advocates’ fight to triple the state’s costly solar energy mandates took a new turn this week. Proponents, including DEP Secretary Hanger and Governor Rendell, urged the…
Media
Read More: The Hail Mary for Solar SubsidiesState Budget
Being Tough on Crime Is Not Enough
With one in 28 Pennsylvanians in jail or prison, on probation, or on parole in 2007 — at the cost of more than $1.8 billion — Pennsylvania is at a…
Media
Read More: Being Tough on Crime Is Not EnoughEducation
School Choice Saves Education in New Orleans
Just over five years ago, New Orleans was devastated by Katrina, but the city’s education system was in shambles long before the storm. Today, New Orleans has witnessed a…
Media
Read More: School Choice Saves Education in New OrleansState Budget
Is Harrisburg a Prediction of Things to Come?
Harrisburg’s inability to pay off massive debts accumulated by years of wasteful spending made headlines in the Wall Street Journal. Last week, Harrisburg skipped a $3 million debt payment…
Media
Read More: Is Harrisburg a Prediction of Things to Come?Taxes & Economy
PA’s Highways Remain Poorly Managed
Pennsylvania ranks 38th in the nation in state highway performance and cost-effectiveness, according to Reason’s latest Annual Highway Report. While the Keystone State’s ranking remains unchanged, nationally highway…
Media
Read More: PA’s Highways Remain Poorly ManagedGovernment Accountability
A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania Taxpayers
The Tribune Review revisits the Rendell Administration’s leasing tens of thousands of acres of state forest lands via no-bid contracts. State records the Tribune-Review obtained show that, in…
Media
Read More: A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania TaxpayersTaxes & Economy
Coal Faces an Onslaught of New Regulations
Debate over new regulations by the EPA puts the Pennsylvania coal industry at a crossroads. Last week, experts met in Philadelphia to discuss a new ruling known as the Clean…
Media
Read More: Coal Faces an Onslaught of New RegulationsEnergy
Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy
Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…
Commentary
Read More: Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy
Pillaging and Plundering of PA Public not a Plus for Pittsburgh
The Allegheny Institute highlights another failure of corporate welfare to stimulate economic growth. Back in 1998, the politically-appointed RAD board voted to force taxpayers to contribute $809 million towards…
Media
Read More: Pillaging and Plundering of PA Public not a Plus for PittsburghTaxes & Economy
Subsidies For Me But Not For Thee
Advocates of the natural gas jobs tax constantly argue large drilling companies aren’t paying their “fair share”. Now the tax-me-more folks are taking it one step further — attacking the…
Media
Read More: Subsidies For Me But Not For TheeTaxes & Economy
Speech Pathologist Goes On Taxpayer-Funded Spending Spree
The Daily Review reports that Towanda Speech Pathologist Peter Ferrulli admitted to submitting false Medicaid claims totaling more than $365,000. Ferrulli routinely double-billed the program, and used the extra…
Media
Read More: Speech Pathologist Goes On Taxpayer-Funded Spending SpreeRegulation
Rendell’s Pinocchio Moment on WAMs
During yesterday’s press conference, Roxbury News reported Gov. Rendell saying, “Opportunity Grants are not WAMS.” Really? Forget the numerous failures of Opportunity Grant recipients, like the $750,000 awarded to…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Pinocchio Moment on WAMsEducation
Administrative Costs Keep Tuition High
The Goldwater Institute puts higher education on the spot in a new study entitled: Administrative Bloat at American Universities, authored by Jay Greene. The study finds university administration costs…
Media
Read More: Administrative Costs Keep Tuition HighTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale: One Study Goes Beyond the Hype
A recent study that looks at the environmental and regulatory issues surrounding Marcellus Shale gas is a refreshing change of pace from the attacks and emotionally charged analyses. Frac…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Shale: One Study Goes Beyond the HypeEducation
Seven PA Universities Have High Racial Graduation Gaps
Several universities in Pennsylvania have a large gap between white and black graduation rates, according to a recent report from Education Trust. Shippensburg University, with a 30.3% difference…
Media
Read More: Seven PA Universities Have High Racial Graduation GapsGovernment Accountability
Corrupt Courts Refuse Transparency
The Scranton Times reports that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) is appealing a court ruling extending an exemption to open records to the judiciary branch. (HT…
Media
Read More: Corrupt Courts Refuse TransparencyRegulation
SEPTA’s Extravagant Spending
Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony from SEPTA officials defending their lavish spending habits during a state transportation funding crisis. Senator Rafferty expressed concern, saying:…
Media
Read More: SEPTA’s Extravagant SpendingTaxes & Economy
Onorato: Rendell’s Severance Tax is Too High
In a Capitolwire interview (subscription), gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato advocated a low natural gas severance tax rate with exemptions. Onorato highlighted three states as good examples of a…
Media
Read More: Onorato: Rendell’s Severance Tax is Too HighRegulation
DEP is Successfully Regulating Gas Drilling
Environmental drilling opponents have jumped all over a new report by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association identifying almost 1,500 violations by 43 Marcellus Shale drilling companies by the PA…
Media
Read More: DEP is Successfully Regulating Gas DrillingTaxes & Economy
Reforms for PA’s UC Fund include CF Proposals
State Representative Scott Perry has proposed new legislation to reform PA’s bankrupt unemployment compensation (UC) fund. A few of his suggested reforms are…
Media
Read More: Reforms for PA’s UC Fund include CF ProposalsTaxes & Economy
New Drilling Study Highlights Regulation Reform
Recently, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council released a study on Marcellus Shale drilling focusing on what Pennsylvania needs to do to ensure responsible development of this newly tapped resources. As…
Media
Read More: New Drilling Study Highlights Regulation Reform