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.
Energy
Unleash Competition to Meet the Commonwealth’s Urgent Energy Needs
Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse. Its robust mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable resources powers its homes, industries, and businesses. But if Pennsylvania wants to grow, lawmakers need to remember…
Media Hit
Read More: Unleash Competition to Meet the Commonwealth’s Urgent Energy NeedsState Budget
A Budget You Can Afford
Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026–27 budget proposal is unaffordable. It calls for tax hikes that will raise the cost of living, wastes money on handouts to politically selected companies, and…
Fact Sheet
Read More: A Budget You Can AffordEnergy
RGGI Will Cost Virginia Billions—Just Like It Cost Pennsylvania
Originally published by Daily Signal. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has consistently sided with the climate-policy wing of her party even when its proposals threaten higher energy costs for consumers. One…
Media Hit
Read More: RGGI Will Cost Virginia Billions—Just Like It Cost PennsylvaniaEnergy
Shapiro Wants Energy Affordability—Here’s One Simple Way to Prove It
Originally published by Times Leader. Gov. Josh Shapiro often talks about “energy affordability.” It’s a phrase that shows up in his stump speeches and his attacks…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Wants Energy Affordability—Here’s One Simple Way to Prove ItEnergy
Government Policies, Not Power Companies, Drive Rising Electricity Costs
Originally published by TribLIVE. Gov. Josh Shapiro is trying to deflect blame for high energy prices, blaming “corporate greed” and pointing fingers at everyone but the true…
Media Hit
Read More: Government Policies, Not Power Companies, Drive Rising Electricity CostsEducation
This Graduation Season, Let’s Not Forget the Students Left Behind
Originally published by Pottstown Mercury. In a few weeks’ time, I’ll be sitting on hot metal bleachers, sweating from the sweltering June sun, watching my oldest nephew graduate from high…
Media Hit
Read More: This Graduation Season, Let’s Not Forget the Students Left BehindState Budget
Corporate Hand-outs Cost Billions, Yield Minimum Return
Media clips to accompany this release can be downloaded here. Harrisburg, Pa., May 20, 2026 — Under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal, Pennsylvania would spend $1.7 billion on corporate welfare programs. If lawmakers swapped corporate handouts for tax cuts, taxpayers could reap $530 per family of…
Press Release
Read More: Corporate Hand-outs Cost Billions, Yield Minimum ReturnState Budget
Corporate Welfare in Governor Shapiro’s 2026–27 Budget Proposal
Summary High taxes and burdensome regulations continue to drive outmigration. Rather than improving the state’s tax and regulatory environment, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–27 budget proposal seeks to…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Corporate Welfare in Governor Shapiro’s 2026–27 Budget ProposalEducation
Kathy Hochul Tries Having It Both Ways On School Choice
Originally published by Daily Caller. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul seems to be walking a tightrope on education reform. Last week, she surprised…
Media Hit
Read More: Kathy Hochul Tries Having It Both Ways On School ChoiceState Budget
New Report: Less than 1% of Pa. Workers Earn Minimum Wage
Harrisburg, Pa., May 18, 2026 — For the fourth consecutive year, Gov. Josh Shapiro has sought a $15-per-hour minimum wage in his 2026–27 budget proposal. New research from the Commonwealth…
Press Release
Read More: New Report: Less than 1% of Pa. Workers Earn Minimum Wage
RGGI Hurt Pennsylvanians. Shapiro’s Lightning Plan Will Be Worse.
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania spent six years watching energy investment flee the state—all because of the mere possibility of a carbon tax scheme. Now, Gov.
Media Hit
Read More: RGGI Hurt Pennsylvanians. Shapiro’s Lightning Plan Will Be Worse.Education
Pennsylvania’s Best Education Idea Turns 25
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. A quarter century ago, Pennsylvania quietly did something remarkable: created a scholarship program that gave low- and middle-income families an opportunity…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Best Education Idea Turns 25State Budget
Markets Have Already Solved the Minimum Wage Debate
Originally published by TribLIVE. Raising the minimum wage would have minimal impact on Pennsylvania’s economy. That’s not just my opinion; that’s precisely what the current administration—the…
Media Hit
Read More: Markets Have Already Solved the Minimum Wage DebateRegulation
Minimum Wage 2026
Summary The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) numbers for 2025 show less than one percent of Pennsylvania workers (42,900) earn the minimum wage or…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Minimum Wage 2026Education
School Choice Doesn’t Benefit the Rich—It Levels the Playing Field
Originally published by Lancaster/LNP Online. School choice benefits only the wealthy—or so the critics claim. These same naysayers employ this same myth to undermine the commonwealth’s…
Media Hit
Read More: School Choice Doesn’t Benefit the Rich—It Levels the Playing FieldEducation
Blame Misplaced
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Joel Naroff’s recent op-ed correctly identifies many of the historic and structural problems facing Philadelphia’s school…
Media Hit
Read More: Blame MisplacedEducation
25 Years of Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)
Harrisburg, Pa., May 14, 2026 — Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) turns 25 this year. Since its creation in 2001, the highly successful program has awarded more than 1 million scholarships in all 67 counties, according to a new…
Press Release
Read More: 25 Years of Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)Education
Pennsylvania’s Education Tax Credit Scholarships: How EITC Serves Children and Families In the Commonwealth | 2nd Edition
Key Findings Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) are state tax credit programs that provide over 100,000 students from low- to middle-income families access…
Report
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Education Tax Credit Scholarships: How EITC Serves Children and Families In the Commonwealth | 2nd EditionWelfare
Pennsylvania Welfare Fraud Robs the Truly Needy
Originally published by the Reading Eagle. Welfare fraud is on the rise and is rampant in Pennsylvania. Nationally, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported $186 billion…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Welfare Fraud Robs the Truly NeedyEducation
Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement Declines
Harrisburg, Pa., May 11, 2026 — New data reveals funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools spiked to nearly $24,000 per student in the 2024–25 school year. In addition to record-high spending, school districts continue to hoard reserve funds, with an average of $4,649 held for every public-school student. …
Press Release
Read More: Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement DeclinesEducation
Shapiro Betrayed Pennsylvania Kids in 2023. He Cannot Do It Again in 2026.
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. When it comes to school choice, Gov. Josh Shapiro often finds himself in hot water. In 2023, he shook hands…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Betrayed Pennsylvania Kids in 2023. He Cannot Do It Again in 2026.