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.
Education
Governor Shapiro Presents Unaffordable State Budget
Gov. Josh Shapiro returns to Pennsylvania to pitch spending plan families cannot afford. Harrisburg, Pa., February 3, 2026 — In a campaign-style speech that doesn’t address the needs of Pennsylvanians, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2026 state budget address, proposing a $3.2 billion spending…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro Presents Unaffordable State BudgetState Budget
2026–27 State Budget: Tackling the Structural Deficit
Summary Pennsylvania’s structural deficit has reached $4.8 billion due to excessive spending. Under Gov. Josh Shapiro and his predecessor, Tom Wolf, state spending has consistently grown at a faster pace…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 2026–27 State Budget: Tackling the Structural Deficit
Commonwealth Foundation Introduces the Pennsylvania Judicial Scorecard
Harrisburg, Pa., January 30, 2026 — Since 2020, total appeals in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have risen by more than 50 percent. Increased cases mean more decision-making on…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Introduces the Pennsylvania Judicial ScorecardState Budget
National Rankings Reveal Pennsylvania’s Subpar Economy
A video companion of this press release for broadcast use is available here. Harrisburg, Pa., January 28, 2026 — Recent comments about Pennsylvania have left pundits asking, “Is the commonwealth’s economy ‘mediocre’?” According…
Press Release
Read More: National Rankings Reveal Pennsylvania’s Subpar EconomyState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Economy is Struggling to Compete Nationally
Overview Over the past few months, Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration have routinely touted Pennsylvania’s supposed economic success, portraying the commonwealth’s economy as “…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy is Struggling to Compete NationallyEducation
PA Pioneered School Choice. Now We Must Finish What We Started
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. With National School Choice Week upon us, we must reflect on our successes and challenges in expanding educational options across our great…
Media Hit
Read More: PA Pioneered School Choice. Now We Must Finish What We Started
Democrat Governors Ignore Global Realities, Cling to ‘Green’ Policies
Originally published by The Daily Signal. As global corporations and governments increasingly shed ideologically driven policies that raise energy prices and undermine supply, governors in the…
Media Hit
Read More: Democrat Governors Ignore Global Realities, Cling to ‘Green’ PoliciesEnergy
Efforts to Kill Gas Industry Disguised as Environmental Protection
Originally published by the Times Leader. Newly proposed regulations on Pennsylvania natural gas purport to protect the environment. However, the restrictions, if passed, would shut down…
Media Hit
Read More: Efforts to Kill Gas Industry Disguised as Environmental ProtectionEducation
You May Support School Vouchers More Than You Realize
Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Today marks the beginning of National School Choice Week—an annual reminder that all students deserve schools that best meet their…
Media Hit
Read More: You May Support School Vouchers More Than You RealizeState Budget
Shapiro Talks Affordability, but Pennsylvanians Pay the Price
Originally published by The Pottstown-Mercury. Gov. Josh Shapiro has made a habit of criticizing President Donald Trump over rising prices and “affordability.” Yet under Shapiro’s leadership,…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Talks Affordability, but Pennsylvanians Pay the PriceEducation
Pennsylvania Students Will Thrive With Educational Choice
Testimony of Stephen Bloom, Vice PresidentCommonwealth FoundationPennsylvania House Republican Policy CommitteeHearing on Educational Choice in the CommonwealthJanuary 23, 2026 Chairman Rowe and members of the committee: Thank you for…
Testimony
Read More: Pennsylvania Students Will Thrive With Educational ChoiceState Budget
It’s the Spending, Stupid
Originally published by Delco Times. Every year, Pennsylvanians hear the same warning from lawmakers in Harrisburg: “The state doesn’t have enough money.” And every year, they’re…
Media Hit
Read More: It’s the Spending, StupidHealth Care
Minnesota’s Medicaid Disaster is a Warning Pennsylvania Must Heed
Originally published by PennLive. Minnesota’s recent Medicaid scandal—where dozens of individuals defrauded taxpayers of at least $9 billion—is a debacle that should…
Commentary
Read More: Minnesota’s Medicaid Disaster is a Warning Pennsylvania Must HeedEnergy
Deregulation Didn’t Cause the Energy Crunch—but Re-Regulation Will Make It Worse
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. Pennsylvanians are feeling the financial pinch when they receive their monthly electricity bills. Statewide, electricity demand has reached record-level highs,…
Media Hit
Read More: Deregulation Didn’t Cause the Energy Crunch—but Re-Regulation Will Make It Worse
The Myth of Increased Education Spending
Testimony of Rachel LanganSenior Education Policy AnalystThe Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy AlternativesHearing on Improving Reading Outcomes in PennsylvaniaBefore the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy CommitteeThe Honorable David Argall, ChairJanuary…
Testimony
Read More: The Myth of Increased Education SpendingEducation
A Nation That Can’t Explain 1776 Urgently Needs a Civic Education Revival
Originally published by The American Spectator. Why did the United States of America declare its independence from England in 1776? If you know the answer to…
Media Hit
Read More: A Nation That Can’t Explain 1776 Urgently Needs a Civic Education RevivalEducation
Pennsylvania is National Model for School Choice—With Room to Grow
Originally published by LNP-Lancester Online. The numbers are in: Pennsylvania is a national leader in school choice. For our students and families seeking alternatives to dangerous,…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania is National Model for School Choice—With Room to GrowEducation
What Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Prioritize in 2026
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania stands at a pivotal moment. Families are stretched thin by higher costs, and employers are weighing whether to invest here or elsewhere. We can’t…
Commentary
Read More: What Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Prioritize in 2026Public Union Democracy
Why is Pennsylvania’s Largest Teacher Union Hoarding Millions of Dollars?
Originally published by PennLive. If I were a Pennsylvania teacher, I’d be wondering why my union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), keeps raising dues.
Media Hit
Read More: Why is Pennsylvania’s Largest Teacher Union Hoarding Millions of Dollars?Public Union Democracy
Government Unions Put Politics Before Workers
Originally published by The Washington Times. This year’s contentious gubernatorial race in New Jersey dominated national headlines. Although Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli were the headliners,…
Media Hit
Read More: Government Unions Put Politics Before WorkersEducation
Shapiro Should Opt in to New Federal Scholarship Program
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis surprised many when he announced his intentions to opt in to a new federal scholarship program…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Should Opt in to New Federal Scholarship Program