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
Closing the Gap: The Story of the Middle Class
While the middle class is more of a state of mind than a voting block, both presidential candidates are promising prosperity for these crucial voters. Obama talks about “a…
Media
Read More: Closing the Gap: The Story of the Middle ClassState Budget
State Spending Cuts Continue
Governor Rendell has “discovered” an additional $111 million in spending cuts bringing the total up from $200 million to $311 million. The cuts are a result…
Media
Read More: State Spending Cuts ContinueGovernment Accountability
Statewide Voter Guides
With less than a week before election day presidential candidate surveys and voter guides are everywhere, yet it can be difficult to find information on state candidates.
Media
Read More: Statewide Voter GuidesTaxes & Economy
The Free Market = Cheaper Gas
Ben Lieberman of Heritage explains why the free market system is responsible for the recent decline in gasoline prices. “As summer turned to fall, sky-high pump prices in the…
Media
Read More: The Free Market = Cheaper GasEducation
The Vatican Denies Collective Bargaining for Catholic Teachers
When the Bishop Joseph F. Martino refused to recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers as a collective bargaining unit the union took it’s…
Media
Read More: The Vatican Denies Collective Bargaining for Catholic TeachersTaxes & Economy
Re-regulating Electricity
The Tribune-Review has an article breaking down the latest energy bill (HB2200). The bill seeks to regulate the “deregulation” process by: Mandating the installation of smart meters over a…
Media
Read More: Re-regulating ElectricityTaxes & Economy
Rate Mitigation Debate Far From Over
In the past few weeks legislators have been negotiating to mitigate future electricity rate increases once rate caps expire. Here’s the details: The Governor and assembly leaders…
Media
Read More: Rate Mitigation Debate Far From OverGovernment Accountability
Down with the Senate?
Rep. Rich Grucela introduced a measure to eliminate the Pennsylvania Senate. Pennsylvania has functioned under a bi-cameral legislature since 1790, but Rep. Grucela is frustrated with…
Media
Read More: Down with the Senate?Government Accountability
Update: State Spending Transparency
A reader emailed to ask if there are examples of states with online spending databases. Indeed states across the country are adopting transparency legislation while state officials and think tanks…
Media
Read More: Update: State Spending TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?
Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review reports on the inability of the General Assembly to pass reform legislation this session. The Senate is blaming the House for failing to act…
Media
Read More: Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?Taxes & Economy
Bailout Bandwagon – The Rendell Plan
As hope for the proposed Turnpike Lease dwindles, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is asking Congress to add $100 billion in transportation money to the $700 billion bailout deal.
Media
Read More: Bailout Bandwagon – The Rendell PlanTaxes & Economy
Competition Encourages Utilities to Help Consumers
Yesterday, Met-ed and Penelec filed their own pre-payment plan with the PUC. The proposal is similar to PPL’s recently launched effort to mitigate the expected jump in electricity prices…
Media
Read More: Competition Encourages Utilities to Help ConsumersTaxes & Economy
Illegal Immigration in Pennsylvania
Yesterday, Rep. Metcalfe held a press conference promoting the National Security Starts at Home reform package. The bills would make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to live and…
Media
Read More: Illegal Immigration in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
New Efforts to Address Expiring Rate Caps
Yesterday, Rep. Mike Turzai, along with Rep. Stan Saylor, unveiled a new bill to stabilize electric rates after the expiration of rate caps (Turzai Press…
Media
Read More: New Efforts to Address Expiring Rate CapsGovernment Accountability
House Republican Caucus: Opening the Books
The House Republican Caucus has posted a number of contracts on the Treasurer’s website and announced they will start observing the new Open…
Media
Read More: House Republican Caucus: Opening the BooksTaxes & Economy
Feds Reject Tolls on I-80
It’s official, the Pennyslvania Turnpike Comission’s attempt to toll I-80 has been denied by the Federal Highway Administration. See our news release…
Media
Read More: Feds Reject Tolls on I-80Taxes & Economy
The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private Partnerships
Government officials continue to decry the terrible condition of the state’s roads, but this time real solutions like public-private partnerships are receiving some support. On Monday, the House Transportation Committee…
Media
Read More: The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private PartnershipsTaxes & Economy
Extending Rate Caps is Not the Answer
Yesterday, Govenor Rendell declared he would have “no choice” but to support an extension of the rate caps if the legislature fails to act on rising electricity rates. This…
Media
Read More: Extending Rate Caps is Not the AnswerGovernment Accountability
As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
Media
Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending ContinuesGovernment Accountability
Open the Books on Government Spending
Imagine a website where you could instantly find information about the salary of your legislator or the amount of money your school district spends on textbooks. Think of a database…
Commentary
Read More: Open the Books on Government SpendingTaxes & Economy
Media Coverage of the Turnpike Family Tree
Here is a roundup of news coverage of our Turnpike Family Treeand video: Mark Scolforo has the AP Story, with a retort from Joe Brimmeier:…
Media
Read More: Media Coverage of the Turnpike Family Tree