Giana DePaul
Press Secretary
Giana DePaul is the Press Secretary at the Commonwealth Foundation.
A proud Montgomery County native, Giana, both as a professional and academic, knows the hows of communicating policy that is understandable, responsive, and impactful to the public.
Giana graduated Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University in 2023 with a BS in Government: Politics and Policy. While at Liberty, she was part of the university’s policy journal editorial team, publishing various articles on the Tenth Amendment, the intersection of economics and public policy, and other free market ideas. Moreover, Giana gained extensive policy experience through an internship at the Heritage Foundation, a policy-writing intensive with the Hoover Institute, and her work with federal, state, and local elected officials in both campaign and official roles.
Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Giana had the honor of serving as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Republican Committee during the 2024 presidential election cycle. Her priority was to lessen the information gaps between county regulations and the everyday voter.
Giana is also a member of the 2025 class of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series.
Giana now lives in Harrisburg. When she’s not writing press releases, she loves to spend time with family, visit local thrift stores, go on scenic hikes, and find the best coffee shops in town.
Education
Charles Mitchell: Josh Shapiro Plays to the Middle While Pleasing the Left
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s handling of Lifeline Scholarships threatens to upend the moderate image that drives his popularity among Pennsylvania voters, writes Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Charles Mitchell in Thursday’s Pittsburgh…
Press Release
Read More: Charles Mitchell: Josh Shapiro Plays to the Middle While Pleasing the LeftEnergy
New EPA Rule Is a Death Sentence for American Energy
Originally published at The Daily Signal The Environmental Protection Agency plays judge, jury, and executioner—and its newest-issued rule is a death sentence to American energy and energy-producing states. Meanwhile, states…
Media Hit
Read More: New EPA Rule Is a Death Sentence for American EnergyEducation
“Grow PA” Offers a Higher-Ed Reform Model for the Nation
Originally published at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal Too often, lawmakers want to fix higher education by blindly throwing money at the problem. From President Joe…
Media Hit
Read More: “Grow PA” Offers a Higher-Ed Reform Model for the NationEducation
Josh Shapiro plays to the middle while pleasing the left
Originally published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Perhaps you’ve heard: Our governor is a moderate president-in-the-making. Josh Shapiro is leaning into this image as the state legislature negotiates next year’s budget,…
Media Hit
Read More: Josh Shapiro plays to the middle while pleasing the leftEducation
Pa. Senate’s Passage of ‘Grow PA’ a Huge Victory for Higher Education Reform
Harrisburg, Pa., June 12, 2024 — The Pennsylvania Senate, on Tuesday, passed the landmark higher education reform plan “Grow PA,” demonstrating their steadfast commitment to supporting post-secondary opportunities and career pathways…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Senate’s Passage of ‘Grow PA’ a Huge Victory for Higher Education ReformEducation
Pa. schools don’t need more money, students need alternatives
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette School districts know how to add, but not Pennsylvania students. Statewide scores show declining student outcomes despite historic public education spending. Pennsylvania school…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. schools don’t need more money, students need alternativesEducation
Democrats Want to Cut Funding for PA Special Needs Students
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania Democrats are trying to cut funding for special needs students in Pennsylvania public schools. Now, brace yourself—the more you learn, the worse…
Media Hit
Read More: Democrats Want to Cut Funding for PA Special Needs StudentsEducation
House Democrats Pick Special Interest Over Kids (Again), Ignoring Real Education Solutions
Harrisburg, Pa., June 4, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee passed House Bill (HB) 2370, a bill codifying recommendations from the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) report adopted earlier this…
Press Release
Read More: House Democrats Pick Special Interest Over Kids (Again), Ignoring Real Education SolutionsPublic Union Democracy
Debating Public Sector Freedom Post-Janus
In this episode, host David R. Osborne and Vice President and Legal Director of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation Bill Messenger delve into the complexities of public…
Podcast
Read More: Debating Public Sector Freedom Post-JanusEducation
Season 2, Episode 4 Featuring Professor Robert Strauss
In this episode Professor Robert Strauss joins host David Hardy to discuss teacher retention and its significant challenges in Pennsylvania, with Professor Strauss highlighting the history of teacher preparation programs…
Podcast
Read More: Season 2, Episode 4 Featuring Professor Robert StraussEducation
Hardy: Harrisburg Dems. Should Push Past Partisanship and Approve Lifeline Scholarships
Most Pennsylvanians support legislation to give scholarships to low-income students to escape Pennsylvania’s worst-performing public schools. Even Governor Shapiro supports the legislation. But Democrats in the state legislature stand in…
Press Release
Read More: Hardy: Harrisburg Dems. Should Push Past Partisanship and Approve Lifeline ScholarshipsHealth Care
Petty politics and bad regulations hinder telemedicine
Originally published at The Patriot-News Dr. Marlene Wüst-Smith practiced telemedicine before it became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, government restrictions sometimes hinder her ability to practice this…
Media Hit
Read More: Petty politics and bad regulations hinder telemedicineEducation
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Media Hit
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansState Budget
Pa. Senate’s Proposed Tax Cuts Would Save Families $900 Per Year
Harrisburg, Pa., May 29, 2024 — Senate Bill (SB) 269 would slash taxes across Pennsylvania and save the average family of four $400 in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 and $900 in…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Senate’s Proposed Tax Cuts Would Save Families $900 Per YearEducation
Harrisburg Democrats should push past partisanship and approve Lifeline Scholarships
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer It takes guts to do what State Sen. Anthony H. Williams did. During a recent state Senate Education Committee meeting, Williams delivered a…
Media Hit
Read More: Harrisburg Democrats should push past partisanship and approve Lifeline ScholarshipsState Budget
Proposed Tax Cuts and the 2024 State Budget
Key Points A responsible budget in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 must grapple with Pennsylvania’s aging and shrinking workforce challenges through sound tax and regulatory reform. State Senate Republicans proposed two…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Proposed Tax Cuts and the 2024 State BudgetPublic Union Democracy
New Yorkers are Moving to Florida—and Government Unions are to Blame
Originally published at RealClearPolicy What do former President Donald Trump, Derek Jeter, Jennifer Lopez, and millions of New Yorkers have in common? They all packed their bags and moved…
Media Hit
Read More: New Yorkers are Moving to Florida—and Government Unions are to BlameEducation
Pennsylvania’s Senate has answered Gov. Shapiro’s challenge
Originally published at The Patriot-News Following his budget address in February, Gov. Josh Shapiro challenged critics, saying, “If you don’t like my plan, show me yours.” Last week,…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Senate has answered Gov. Shapiro’s challengeRegulation
Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Politicians celebrate taxpayer funds pouring into Pennsylvania to “bridge the digital divide.” Last month, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) praised the approval of…
Media Hit
Read More: Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.Education
Pa. School Funding Reached $22,000 per student in 2023
Harrisburg, Pa., May 21, 2024 — Pennsylvania per-student spending increased to $21,985 in the 2022–23 school year, according to recently released data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This represents a…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. School Funding Reached $22,000 per student in 2023Education
Pa. School Funding Reaches $22,000 per Student in 2023
Pennsylvania Public School Spending Is Growing Over the last decade, state spending on Pennsylvania public schools reached all-time highs year after year. Pennsylvania per-pupil public school funding increased to $21,985…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pa. School Funding Reaches $22,000 per Student in 2023