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
Appraising the Candidates on Energy: Mandates Over Markets
PA gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett recently put out a policy paper on energy praising markets: “a properly structured market place can effectively incentivize alternative energy investments – perhaps even…
Media
Read More: Appraising the Candidates on Energy: Mandates Over MarketsTaxes & Economy
Why a Moratorium on Natural Gas Leasing is Unnecessary
Here’s a letter we sent to Rep. Vitali and other government officials regarding a natural gas leasing moratorium. Natural Gas Leasing…
Media
Read More: Why a Moratorium on Natural Gas Leasing is UnnecessaryTaxes & Economy
Climate Change “Deniers” Protest in Pittsburgh
Yesterday, PennFuture welcomed Dr. Mann to Pittsburgh as part of the Experts and Heroes conference. As attendees munched on hummus and pita chips some “deniers” protested outside with…
Media
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It Is Possible to Make Cuts to the Budget
With the 2010-11 proposed budget in shambles the Governor continues to reiterate the myth that his hands are tied and that 80% of the budget is mandated spending. He went…
Media
Read More: It Is Possible to Make Cuts to the BudgetGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Tax Day Tea Parties
We’ve been getting a lot of calls from folks who want to attend a tax day tea party. Tea Party Patriots has a good list of the events taking…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Tax Day Tea PartiesEducation
Ten Tips to Balance the Budget
Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten…
Commentary
Read More: Ten Tips to Balance the BudgetPublic Union Democracy
You’ve Been Duped
Apparently our April Fools Day news release hit a little too close to home for some. We announced that under new…
Media
Read More: You’ve Been DupedGovernment Accountability
Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy Lobby
Colorado residents are fighting back against the powerful renewable energy lobby via ballot initiative. The Western Tradition Partnership, a grassroots citizens group, said they would attack the renewables…
Media
Read More: Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy LobbyEnergy
Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea
In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…
Commentary
Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad IdeaTaxes & Economy
Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation
As more natural gas wells are drilled, environmental groups, and now lawmakers, are decrying the technology as unsafe or responsible for contamination. Even the EPA announced it is conducting…
Media
Read More: Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic StagnationGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
It’s time for another edition of the CF Policy Blog Roundup. Capitol Ideas keeps the link love coming by pointing to our post on the NTU’s rating of PA’s…
Media
Read More: CF Blog RoundupEducation
The Green Schools Ruse
Yesterday the House passed Rep. Drucker’s bill to exclude any costs associated with making a school building LEED certified from a possible…
Media
Read More: The Green Schools RuseTaxes & Economy
CF Podcast: Freedom in the 50 States
Listen to the latest CF podcast on Mercatus Center study, Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom. The report is the first comprehensive…
Media
Read More: CF Podcast: Freedom in the 50 StatesTaxes & Economy
Could Municipalities Provide Cheaper Electricity?
Last week the State House Committee on Consumer Affairs held a hearing on legislation which would allow municipalities to act as electricity aggregators for residents, unless they opt-out for another…
Media
Read More: Could Municipalities Provide Cheaper Electricity?Government Accountability
The Case for a Citizen Legislature
The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Case for a Citizen LegislatureTaxes & Economy
Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. Mann
Penn State YAF’s (Young Americans for Freedom) petition for academic integrity is now online! On February 12th almost a hundred students and citizens gathered to demand a fair and thorough…
Media
Read More: Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. MannTaxes & Economy
A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad Policy
Days before Pennsylvanians rang in the New Year, Gov. Rendell signed an agreement that paves the way for one of the most radical (and expensive) changes in Pennsylvania’s energy history.
Media
Read More: A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad PolicyTaxes & Economy
PPL Proposes Distribution Rate Increase
PPL is hoping to “modestly” increase distribution rates next year. This is the regulated part of your electricity bill which is not subject to competition. There is no word…
Media
Read More: PPL Proposes Distribution Rate IncreaseTaxes & Economy
Electric Choice Trumps a Rate Cap Phase-in
The York Dispatch reports West Manchester Township is entering into a consortium to hedge against future electricity rate increases as rate caps are set to end for the area…
Media
Read More: Electric Choice Trumps a Rate Cap Phase-inTaxes & Economy
Debunking the Green Job Myth
US News and World Report has an excellent piece from AEI’s Kenneth Green debunking the green job myth. Government can create jobs: Green explains how governments cannot create…
Media
Read More: Debunking the Green Job MythEducation
Who’s to Blame for the Rising Costs of Higher Ed?
Rendell’s FY 2010-11 budget funds state related universities at the same level as FY 2009-10 budget. University officials claim they need an increase in state funding to keep tuition…
Media
Read More: Who’s to Blame for the Rising Costs of Higher Ed?