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.
Public Union Democracy
Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?
A year after the path-changing Janus v. AFSCME decision that freed 5 million American government workers from having to pay union fees, there hasn’t been the exodus of union members…
Media
Read More: Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?Education
Which Wolf Was It? Gov. Wolf’s Hypocrisy on Education Tax Credits
Tom Wolf the private citizen and business owner benefited from and lauded private school choice and the EITC program. But Governor Tom Wolf has used his political clout to deny…
Media
Read More: Which Wolf Was It? Gov. Wolf’s Hypocrisy on Education Tax CreditsTaxes & Economy
The RGGI Offers Nothing to Pennsylvania
Media
Read More: The RGGI Offers Nothing to Pennsylvania
Let’s Stop the Gimmicks
If you took out a mortgage on your house and used it to buy groceries, would you say that you were covering your expenses with your income? How about if…
Media
Read More: Let’s Stop the GimmicksEducation
Pennsylvania Kids Need School Choice Heroes
I must confess, my superhero education is lacking. Much to the chagrin of my children, I don’t know the difference between DC and Marvel or the characters in each universe.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Kids Need School Choice HeroesRegulation
Consumers not Bureaucrats Should Determine the Number of Liquor Licenses
The return of expired liquor licenses—miraculous resurrection or terrifying zombification? Well, depends on who you ask. Since 2016, when Act 39 allowed expired liquor licenses to return to the…
Media
Read More: Consumers not Bureaucrats Should Determine the Number of Liquor LicensesState Budget
Future Growth Depends on Today’s Lawmakers
Federal tax cuts made Pennsylvania’s current economic growth possible, but state reform could make it sustainable. Today Pennsylvanians are enjoying $866 million in surplus state revenue, an all-time low unemployment rate,…
Media
Read More: Future Growth Depends on Today’s Lawmakers
Wolf Vetoes Scholarship Bill, Disparages Program His Business Supported
June 18, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.— Today, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed HB 800, which would have expanded Pennsylvania’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit—a program providing private school scholarships to low- and middle-income…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Vetoes Scholarship Bill, Disparages Program His Business SupportedEducation
New Report: Education Tax Credits Save School Districts Billions
Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarships are life-changing programs that help students succeed and taxpayers save. According to brand new analysis by Martin F. Lueken, Ph.D. of EdChoice, tax credit scholarships…
Media
Read More: New Report: Education Tax Credits Save School Districts BillionsEducation
Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Governor Wolf talks the talk. In his 2018 budget address, he called for ensuring “your zip code doesn’t determine what kind of education you can get.” In his …
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than WordsState Budget
Lawmakers Show Signs of Budget Restraint
When state revenues outpace spending there’s always a temptation to spend more—in fact, even when revenues fall short…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Show Signs of Budget Restraint
Pa. Governor to Block Education Opportunity for Thousands of Students
June 13, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.—According to news reports, Governor Tom Wolf plans to veto a school choice bill, HB 800, that would expand tax credit scholarships in Pennsylvania.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Governor to Block Education Opportunity for Thousands of StudentsRegulation
Liquor Privatization: Time to Push Again
A Pennsylvania grocery or convenience store can be a confusing place. Out-of-state visitors are puzzled when they first encounter separate checkout lines for alcohol and non-alcoholic items. Last-minute party planners…
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization: Time to Push AgainEducation
Magic 8 Ball, What Lies Ahead for HB 800?
I asked my Magic 8 Ball if Gov. Wolf would sign HB 800—legislation increasing the caps on the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. “My sources say no,” was the unfortunate…
Media
Read More: Magic 8 Ball, What Lies Ahead for HB 800?Education
Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTC
Governor Tom Wolf wants to be sure that children from poor parts of the state can get a good education. In his 2018 budget address he called…
Media
Read More: Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTCEducation
Champions for Pa. Students
Yesterday the Senate took bold, swift action on behalf of Pennsylvania kids by passing HB 800—which would increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) K-12 tax credit scholarship cap by…
Media
Read More: Champions for Pa. StudentsEducation
Fiscal Forgetfulness
Next year the governor wants to spend $1.4 billion more than he requested for this year, according to his recent budget proposal. Separately he’ll need as much as $750 million…
Media
Read More: Fiscal ForgetfulnessEducation
Momentous School Choice Expansion Lands on Gov. Wolf’s Desk
June 11, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 800, which would expand a hugely popular K-12 scholarship program, giving Governor Wolf the chance to provide a lifeline to…
Press Release
Read More: Momentous School Choice Expansion Lands on Gov. Wolf’s DeskCriminal Justice Reform
Corrections Reform for Safer Communities
Nowadays, Republicans and Democrats struggle to find common ground. In the rare moments when they do, you can be sure you’ve got a winning policy. Last week, the Pennsylvania Senate…
Media
Read More: Corrections Reform for Safer CommunitiesEducation
Is School Choice the Black Choice?
Do you know that 49 percent of the kids who applied for tax credit scholarships in Pennsylvania were denied? Lenny McAllister Parents, educators, and education reformers…
Media
Read More: Is School Choice the Black Choice?Education
EITC & OSTC Escalator: Because Kids Need a Longer Lifeline
Pennsylvania's successful education tax credit programs are oversubscribed, resulting in tens of thousands of families being denied scholarships. It's time to expand these programs. Here are answers to common questions…
Fact Sheet
Read More: EITC & OSTC Escalator: Because Kids Need a Longer Lifeline