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.
For Years, My Union Exploited Me for Political Influence. So I Left.
I knew since fourth grade I wanted to be a teacher because of the quality of teachers I’d had in northeastern Pennsylvania. I had a desire to help others learn…
Commentary
Read More: For Years, My Union Exploited Me for Political Influence. So I Left.
For Years, My Union Exploited Me for Political Influence. So I Left.
I knew since fourth grade I wanted to be a teacher because of the quality of teachers I’d had in northeastern Pennsylvania. I had a desire to help others learn…
Commentary
Read More: For Years, My Union Exploited Me for Political Influence. So I Left.
Work Empowers All Pennsylvanians
I have found nothing more rewarding than my life’s work: empowering others. Over four decades, I’ve been a social worker, counselor, college professor, administrator, director, and mother. In all those…
Commentary
Read More: Work Empowers All Pennsylvanians
Work Empowers All Pennsylvanians
I have found nothing more rewarding than my life’s work: empowering others. Over four decades, I’ve been a social worker, counselor, college professor, administrator, director, and mother. In all those…
Commentary
Read More: Work Empowers All Pennsylvanians
As a Former Legislator, I Know How Transformative the Taxpayer Protection Act Will Be
Those who watch the inner-workings of Pennsylvania’s politics and policies understand how difficult—and how rewarding—fiscal responsibility in state government can be. Steve Bloom, former four-term state representative from Cumberland County…
Commentary
Read More: As a Former Legislator, I Know How Transformative the Taxpayer Protection Act Will Be
As a Former Legislator, I Know How Transformative the Taxpayer Protection Act Will Be
Those who watch the inner-workings of Pennsylvania’s politics and policies understand how difficult—and how rewarding—fiscal responsibility in state government can be. Steve Bloom, former four-term state representative from Cumberland County…
Commentary
Read More: As a Former Legislator, I Know How Transformative the Taxpayer Protection Act Will Be
Raise the Limits on Tax Credit Scholarships
It was the middle of Wednesday, and I had 30 minutes—30 minutes and a choice. I could either eat my lunch in peace after a hectic morning of work, or…
Commentary
Read More: Raise the Limits on Tax Credit Scholarships
Raise the Limits on Tax Credit Scholarships
It was the middle of Wednesday, and I had 30 minutes—30 minutes and a choice. I could either eat my lunch in peace after a hectic morning of work, or…
Commentary
Read More: Raise the Limits on Tax Credit ScholarshipsEducation
Getting Real About Education Spending
Another budget season has come and gone in Harrisburg. As usual, education spending was one of the hottest topics. Constant demands for “more money” by teachers’ unions and their…
Media
Read More: Getting Real About Education SpendingTaxes & Economy
Those are Drilling Rigs, Not Money Trees
“Money doesn’t grow on trees,” my mother regularly declaimed in her impromptu lessons on financial literacy. Too bad she’s not with us to explain this to Governor Wolf: neither the Marcellus…
Media
Read More: Those are Drilling Rigs, Not Money TreesEducation
Kids Claim Victory in Pa. Budget
Thanks to school choice heroes like Speaker Mike Turzai and Senator Mike Regan, Pennsylvania students will benefit from a $30 million increase in tax credit scholarships. The agreed upon…
Media
Read More: Kids Claim Victory in Pa. BudgetCriminal Justice Reform
Does Justice Reinvestment Work?
One of the foremost, data-driven efforts in the nation to make criminal justice truly fair and effective is under consideration in the Pennsylvania House after a unanimous vote in the…
Media
Read More: Does Justice Reinvestment Work?
One Year After Janus
One year ago, Pennsylvania government workers like William, Megan, Shalea, Curtis, and Francisco weren’t planning to taking their union to court. Yet, they are among…
Media
Read More: One Year After JanusState Budget
This Year’s Budget Continues Past Trends
The 2019-2020 budget spending bill is on the governor’s desk and lawmakers are claiming it represents an increase of only 1.8 percent over last year. If this were true, it would…
Media
Read More: This Year’s Budget Continues Past TrendsState Budget
Budget Spares Taxpayers, Boosts School Choice, but Leaves Much Undone
June 28, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, lawmakers put the finishing touches on a state budget that spares Pennsylvanians from tax hikes, grows the state’s beleaguered Rainy Day Fund, and boosts school…
Press Release
Read More: Budget Spares Taxpayers, Boosts School Choice, but Leaves Much UndoneState Budget
State Can Build on Tax Reform Boom
To attract the investment and job creators that will secure our future, we can—and must—do better. Luckily, lawmakers have the blueprint they need to make our state competitive: Control spending…
Commentary
Read More: State Can Build on Tax Reform BoomEducation
Students Need Scholarships, Not Vetoes
While the governor has repeatedly voiced support for freeing students from zip code-assigned schools that aren’t meeting their needs, he vetoed a sorely needed expansion of Pennsylvania’s scholarship…
Commentary
Read More: Students Need Scholarships, Not VetoesEducation
Common EITC and OSTC Misconceptions
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” This saying is even more true in the internet age. Case in point: recent falsehoods…
Media
Read More: Common EITC and OSTC MisconceptionsPublic Union Democracy
Respecting Workers’ Rights
Do you really have liberty if it is not legally protected? Five Pennsylvanian corrections officers likely asked themselves that question when their union, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association…
Media
Read More: Respecting Workers’ RightsEducation
How Many Kids Should We Save?
Last week, local mom Thalia McClenton visited the Capitol to tell her tax credit scholarship story. Thalia’s sons attend Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School thanks to scholarship funding. Thalia explained:…
Media
Read More: How Many Kids Should We Save?Education
Five Things Lawmakers Should Know About the State Budget Deal
Less than a week before the start of the 2019-20 fiscal year, legislative leaders unveiled a proposed state budget—including both the spending and revenue outline, and several policy changes that…
Media
Read More: Five Things Lawmakers Should Know About the State Budget Deal