Erin Port
Development Manager
Erin Port is the Development Manager at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Erin holds a certification in interior design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. Her professional journey began in the construction industry, where she honed her skills as a kitchen designer for two local construction companies. Additionally, Erin has more than a decade of experience in office administration.
For 25 years, Erin steadfastly supported her husband’s career in the U.S. Marine Corps. During this period, they relocated several times, moving every two to three years, both nationally and internationally.
Erin lives in Newport, Pennsylvania, with her now-retired husband and their daughter. They are also blessed with two grown sons—one currently serving in the U.S. Navy, while the other pursues his college degree in Austria.
In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending quality time with her family, baking, and seeking new opportunities to decorate her family’s newly acquired home.
Regulation
Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions
Zippo’s recent retirement plan transition is another example of why Pennsylvania state government should do the same. As Zippo CFO Don Hall said, defined contribution plans like 401(k)s carry…
Media
Read More: Following Zippo’s Lead on PensionsState Budget
Pa.’s Economic Outlook is Poor but Not Permanent
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its annual Rich States, Poor States’ report, which includes economic rankings for each state. Unfortunately, the news isn’t good for Pennsylvania. The state…
Media
Read More: Pa.’s Economic Outlook is Poor but Not PermanentState Budget
News Release: Pa. Spends Nearly One-Third of Year Working to Pay Taxes
April 18 was this year’s tax return filing deadline, but how long do Pennsylvanians work to earn enough to pay their total tax bill? In 2017, that date—dubbed Tax Freedom…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Pa. Spends Nearly One-Third of Year Working to Pay TaxesGovernment Accountability
Policy Memo: Government Union Political Spending Trends
Union leaders spend millions each year to further their own political agenda. Regardless of public sector employees’ personal political convictions, the highly partisan trend continued to the tune of $19 million…
Memo
Read More: Policy Memo: Government Union Political Spending TrendsPublic Union Democracy
Top 10 Recipients of Government Union Money
Government unions wield enormous influence in Pennsylvania politics. Since 2010, the commonwealth’s largest government unions have spent over $71 million on politics—including $26 million in political action committee (PAC)…
Media
Read More: Top 10 Recipients of Government Union MoneyRegulation
News Release: House Committee Advances Major Liquor Reforms
Bills Would Break Government Stranglehold Over Wine & Liquor Sales Today, the House Liquor Committee advanced two bills to the floor that represent a…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: House Committee Advances Major Liquor ReformsRegulation
The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension Reform
Pennsylvania’s public pension plans are woefully underfunded, with enough assets to cover just 60 percent of liabilities. This poor financial showing has relegated the commonwealth to the bottom of the Tax Foundation’s ranking of…
Media
Read More: The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension ReformHealth Care
Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower Costs
All Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality, affordable health care. That's why it was encouraging to see the Senate advance SB 25 out of the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.
Media
Read More: Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower CostsEducation
Charter Reform Nears the Goal-line
Charter school reform is advancing in Harrisburg. Long in the works, HB 97 (previously HB 530) is a sweeping bill that includes several important revisions to Pennsylvania’s charter school law.
Media
Read More: Charter Reform Nears the Goal-lineHealth Care
Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral Imperative
Note: This op-ed was originally published in the Lancaster LNP. Do you know someone who desperately needs medical care but can’t access it? Few things are more heartbreaking. Helping people…
Media
Read More: Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral Imperative
When a Spending Increase Is a Massive Cut
Last June, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a $31.53 billion General Fund budget. In February, Gov. Wolf proposed a $32.34 billion budget. This $800 million increase has actually been labeled “…
Media
Read More: When a Spending Increase Is a Massive CutRegulation
Op-Ed: End Perks for the Politically Connected
We deserve better than a system that favors the politically connected. An environment where people can advance based on merit, not lobbying prowess, will put cities like Scranton back on…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: End Perks for the Politically ConnectedState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2017
Revenue collections fell below expectations for the fifth consecutive month. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reported collections of approximately $4.4 billion last week, which was $229.6 million less than…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2017Public Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection: Where it Stands
In February, the state Senate passed paycheck protection, which would shield taxpayers from subsidizing government union leaders’ political fundraising. Now it’s up to the House to protect the interests of taxpayers…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection: Where it StandsRegulation
A Guide to Corporate Welfare in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's culture of corporate welfare is pervasive. The current system rewards businesses for their lobbying prowess rather than their ability to effectively serve consumers' needs.
Commentary
Read More: A Guide to Corporate Welfare in PennsylvaniaEducation
Op-Ed: The Cure for ‘March Madness’
While the NCAA basketball tournament had the nation on the edge of its seat, Philadelphia students faced their own version of March Madness—full of drama, heartache, and uncertainty, but with far more…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: The Cure for ‘March Madness’Regulation
House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship
House Republicans committed to changing Pennsylvania yesterday. The caucus released its proposed 2017-18 budget, which stands in stark contrast to Gov. Wolf’s tax-and-spend proposals. The House Appropriations Committee has…
Media
Read More: House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship
News Release: ‘Ghost Teacher’ Ban Passes Senate Committee
Nearly 25% of Pa. School Districts Authorize Ghost Teachers March 29, 2017, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 494 banning “ghost teachers” who drain resources from…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: ‘Ghost Teacher’ Ban Passes Senate CommitteeGovernment Accountability
Paycheck Protection Benefits Teachers
Providing one more reason Pennsylvania needs paycheck protection, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) uses members’ dues to mislead teachers. In the March 2017 publication of PSEA’s dues-funded…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Benefits TeachersState Budget
Should Pennsylvania Strive to Become #51?
Political realities forced Gov. Wolf to scale back his record tax-and-spend proposals from the past two years. Still, he didn’t completely abandon his government-centric approach, opting to include $1…
Media
Read More: Should Pennsylvania Strive to Become #51?Government Accountability
Redistricting Reform Memo
Redistricting reform, Fair Districts PA and CF Priorities …
Memo
Read More: Redistricting Reform Memo