Elizabeth Stelle
Vice President of Policy
Elizabeth leads the organization’s research and policy initiatives, focusing on expanding freedom and prosperity in Pennsylvania. Since joining the organization in 2008, she has researched and written extensively on education, energy, the state budget, and healthcare policy.
Her work has contributed to significant policy victories in Pennsylvania, including blocking tax increases, expanding educational-choice opportunities, and enacting a constitutional amendment to strengthen checks on executive power.
A frequent media commentator, Elizabeth’s analysis has appeared in Pennsylvania newspapers, radio, and television outlets, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as in national outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal.
She is a former America’s Future chapter chair and remains active in her community by volunteering with local nonprofits and serving as a foster parent. Elizabeth holds a degree in history from Grove City College and makes her home in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and four children.
Taxes & Economy
Inflation is killing small business
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Deeanna Hilliard closed her bakery in August. Gluten Free by D&D in Volant had survived pandemic restrictions and persistent worker shortages, but it…
Media Hit
Read More: Inflation is killing small businessCriminal Justice Reform
Keeping kids in the community improves public safety
Originally published at City & State Pennsylvania Reforming the juvenile justice system is personal for Philadelphia native Jon Kelly. “I cycled through several youth detention centers,”…
Media Hit
Read More: Keeping kids in the community improves public safetyPublic Union Democracy
Government unions have too much power
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette No one dominates political contributions like government unions. They spend millions on elections to buy their out-sized influence on officials and public policy. …
Media Hit
Read More: Government unions have too much powerEducation
During COVID, towns raised school taxes when they didn’t need to. They’re not likely to come down.
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Finally, a normal school year without face masks and split schedules. But one remnant of the pandemic is here to stay — higher…
Media Hit
Read More: During COVID, towns raised school taxes when they didn’t need to. They’re not likely to come down.Health Care
Medicaid’s Endless Expansion
Key Points Medicaid enrollment has surged, increasing by more than one million since 2015.[1] The program now covers more than one-quarter of all Pennsylvanians.Medicaid is the largest program…
Backgrounder
Read More: Medicaid’s Endless ExpansionEducation
Pennsylvania schools have a hoarding problem
Originally published in The Mercury “Pennsylvania has been chronically underfunding school districts for decades,” according to school board member Jackie Huff. That is a common claim by politicians —…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania schools have a hoarding problemRegulation
MI and PA Lockdowns Show the High Price of Government Overreach
Originally published at RealClearHealth It’s official, COVID-19 is no longer a crisis. According to a recent Axios poll, only nine percent of Americans believe COVID is a serious crisis.
Media Hit
Read More: MI and PA Lockdowns Show the High Price of Government OverreachEducation
An answer for the way COVID put our children behind
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Maria Elizabeth had to make a hard choice: send her son to a failing school in Clairton or get a second job selling…
Media Hit
Read More: An answer for the way COVID put our children behindState Budget
Examining Wolf’s revisionist history
Originally printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette What will Pennsylvanians remember about Gov. Tom Wolf? This is his final year in office, and Mr. Wolf’s original priorities remain mostly…
Media Hit
Read More: Examining Wolf’s revisionist historyPublic Union Democracy
Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union Reform
Key Findings Government unions have enormous political power in Pennsylvania, due to a host of special legal privileges granted in state law.Government union executives use this power to trap government…
Report
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union ReformGovernment Accountability
How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to Lobby
Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.
Backgrounder
Read More: How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Associations to LobbyGovernment Accountability
How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists
Prohibiting local governments and government agencies from diverting public funds to these associations would increase transparency and prevent taxpayers’ dollars from funding lobbying harmful to taxpayers.
Backgrounder
Read More: How Pa. Governments Use Tax Dollars to Pay Contract Lobbyists
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