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.

Taxes & Economy

Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and Wealth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

Heritage Foundation report examines claims that recent economic growth isn’t benefitting workers – i.e. “the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer”. The study finds, instead,…

Media

Read More: Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and Wealth

Taxes & Economy

Business Climate Attitudes Remain Low

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

The Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research released its Fall 2006 Business Climate Survey, a survey of business owners and managers. Overall, attitudes about the PA business climate remain…

Media

Read More: Business Climate Attitudes Remain Low

Government Accountability

A Tale of Two GOPs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

Wall Street Journal editorial points out that Republicans are in strong shape in places where they stuck to the conservative principles they campaigned on (Florida) and are in deep…

Media

Read More: A Tale of Two GOPs

Taxes & Economy

EDITORIAL | Begging the question

  • October 14, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorializes on the need to pursue REAL solutions to the transportation crisis. Unfortunately, “The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission should be named “The Beggar’s Opera” with…

Media

Read More: EDITORIAL | Begging the question

State Budget

Analysis: With election nearing, Rendell spreads state cash around

  • October 14, 2006

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlights the amount of taxpayer cash Rendell is spreading around Allegheny County for “Political Development” under the guise of “economic development.” Topics on this page…

Media

Read More: Analysis: With election nearing, Rendell spreads state cash around

Regulation

A $2-Trillion Fiscal Hole

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2006

Wall Street Journal article estimates the unfunded liabilities of state and local government’s retiree health care plans to be $1.4 trillion, about double the unfunded pension liabilities of $700…

Media

Read More: A $2-Trillion Fiscal Hole

Health Care

Health plan targets children

  • October 12, 2006

Lancaster Democrat Mike Sturla is pushing HillaryCareLite (“Cover All Kids”) in his district. Unfortunately, his Republican challenger doesn’t fully get it either. He said: “You are talking about pure…

Media

Read More: Health plan targets children

Taxes & Economy

The Myth of Ethanol

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 11, 2006

Consumer Reports’ article finds that government mandates to use ethanol and new E85 cars – intended to create “energy independence” – has instead increased consumption of gasoline. The main…

Media

Read More: The Myth of Ethanol

Why Are Health Costs Rising?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 11, 2006

NCPA Analysis on why health care cost have been escalating. The primary conclusion – third party payers drive up cost. However, when consumers of health care pay the bills…

Media

Read More: Why Are Health Costs Rising?

Taxes & Economy

Swann Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center on the revenue losses from Lynn Swann’s proposed tax cuts would seem to cast doubt on our projections. There…

Media

Read More: Swann Tax Cuts

Regulation

Hershey changes pensions to cut costs

  • October 10, 2006

While the Hershey Company continues to make defined-benefit pension reforms to remain competitive, we’ve got a union-backed group in Harrisburg lobbying for HIGHER defined-benefit pension costs on taxapyers.

Media

Read More: Hershey changes pensions to cut costs

Regulation

EDITORIAL | Taxpayers lose in Pa. pension gamble

  • October 10, 2006

We hate to have to say “We told you so.” So we won’t. But we’ll let the Chambersburg Public Opinion do it. 🙂 “The stock market was strong back…

Media

Read More: EDITORIAL | Taxpayers lose in Pa. pension gamble

Regulation

Getting mileage out of perks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

Brad Bumsted and Debra Erdley in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the excesses in PA House perks. Turns out that Mike Veon, Democratic Whip from Beaver Falls, collects more in…

Media

Read More: Getting mileage out of perks

Health Care

Uncovering Cover All Kids

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

This past summer, state legislative leaders sent Governor Rendell a letter promising legislation by October authorizing the Governor’s “Cover All Kids” initiative. They included over $2 million in the state…

Commentary

Read More: Uncovering Cover All Kids

Taxes & Economy

Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battle

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2006

Alison Hawkes article on the battle over mercury and auto emissions standards. DEP plans to set higher standards than the federal requirement. While many legislators have objected, DEP’s decision…

Media

Read More: Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battle

Regulation

Pension Reform

  • October 6, 2006

Taxpayer contributions to Pennsylvania state and school employee’s retirement plans are expected to escalate dramatically beginning in 2011-12. Retiree healthcare will also place enormous burdens on future taxpayers. Specific actions…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pension Reform