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
Tuition Relief Act Ready to Fold?
Governor Rendell is still traveling around the state to drum up support for his legalization of video poker scheme. At a recent stop at Reading Area Community College, Gov.
Media
Read More: Tuition Relief Act Ready to Fold?Public Union Democracy
Rendell Colludes with Unions to Avoid Cutting Wasteful Spending
Trumpets blared last week as Governor Rendell announced an agreement with state employee unions to “save” $200 million by temporarily reducing payments by 20 percent to their benefit…
Media
Read More: Rendell Colludes with Unions to Avoid Cutting Wasteful SpendingRegulation
A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania’s Retiree and Medical Liability Challenges
Pennsylvania maintains over 3,000 public pension plans at the state, city and municipal levels, the most of any state and approximately 25% of all such plans in America. Over 2,200…
Fact Sheet
Read More: A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania’s Retiree and Medical Liability ChallengesEducation
Study Shows School Vouchers are Working
The latest research on the Milwaukee school voucher program shows significant improvements in student achievement and millions of dollars in savings for state taxpayers. Interestingly, boys seem to be…
Media
Read More: Study Shows School Vouchers are WorkingTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | April 2009
Update on Pennsylvania’s Revenue Shortfall from the Commonwealth Foundation The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the March revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $1.61 billion short…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | April 2009Education
Is Another State Test the Answer?
Recently, a deal was struck between the Department of Education and Pennsylvania’s School Board Association to establish what is known as the Keystone Exams. The exams would cost the state…
Media
Read More: Is Another State Test the Answer?Taxes & Economy
Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline Extended
The deadline for the Please No More Taxes Video Contest has been extended to June 1st! Are you tired of paying high taxes? Enter the Commonwealth Foundation’s “Please…
Media
Read More: Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline ExtendedTaxes & Economy
FASB Eases “Mark to Market”
The Federal Accounting Standards Board voted to ease “mark to market” accounting rules, which forced financial firms to markdown the value of their assets. This is pretty wonkish, but…
Media
Read More: FASB Eases “Mark to Market”Public Union Democracy
What will you do when union organizers show up at your home?
The latest video from the Commonwealth Foundation:…
Media
Read More: What will you do when union organizers show up at your home?Taxes & Economy
Tax Freedom Day for PA is April 14
The Tax Foundation has released the latest report on Tax Freedom Day (get the Full Report in PDF). This year Tax Freedom Day will occur on April 13…
Media
Read More: Tax Freedom Day for PA is April 14Taxes & Economy
A pop quiz on how Pa. leaders opt to spend your dollars
John Baer has a pop quiz on Pennsylvania’s recent government spending. How much do you know about taxpayer-funded bonuses to legislative staffers, legal fees to defend those bonuses, international…
Media
Read More: A pop quiz on how Pa. leaders opt to spend your dollarsPublic Union Democracy
Union Bosses Dupe “Unlicensed” Blogger
In his blog today, John Micek makes a couple of jokes about “Joe the Plumber” – probably to avoid being called “Rat Rat Rat” by union bosses (who promise…
Media
Read More: Union Bosses Dupe “Unlicensed” BloggerRegulation
Philadelphia’s “Pension Reform” is Generational Theft
Faced with significant budget deficits and the burden of ever-increasing pension contributions, Philadelphia is attempting to finesse itself out of a financial dilemma. In simple terms, the city cannot afford…
Commentary
Read More: Philadelphia’s “Pension Reform” is Generational TheftTaxes & Economy
PA Governor Releases April Fool’s Joke Too Early
Governor Rendell has a great April Fool’s gag, announcing a Pennsylvania “Stimulus Czar” (like anyone would think that’s a real job) that pays $120,000 per year for part-time work.
Media
Read More: PA Governor Releases April Fool’s Joke Too EarlyRegulation
Corporate Welfare Fails to Save PA Jobs
Amazon is closing distribution centers in three states, including one in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Just last year the state “helped” the world’s leading on-line retailer to open a new…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Fails to Save PA JobsPublic Union Democracy
Union Intimidation in Action
Unions claim they won’t use intimidation as one of their tactics if the Employee Free Choice Act, a.k.a. “Card Check” is passed, eliminating the secret ballot in union elections. But…
Media
Read More: Union Intimidation in ActionState Budget
Updated Pennsylvania Revenue Shortfall Projections
Following an Open Records request, the PA Office of the Budget provided us the their latest projections for General Fund revenue collections. The number for media, lawmakers, and policy nerds…
Media
Read More: Updated Pennsylvania Revenue Shortfall ProjectionsGovernment Accountability
Gov. Creates Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Board
John Micek has the list of appointees (sans the GOP caucus appointments) to Gov. Rendell’s Stimulus Oversight Commission. Unfortunately, the panel includes no representation by taxpayers, with the exception…
Media
Read More: Gov. Creates Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight BoardTaxes & Economy
Rich State, Poor State
ALEC has released the 2nd edition of their Economic Competitiveness Index – Rich States, Poor States – which looks at which policies drive economic growth among states, and which…
Media
Read More: Rich State, Poor State
Live from the PA Leadership Conference
The Commonwealth Foundation will be at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference this weekend. For those unable to attend, much of the events will air on PCN TV . The…
Media
Read More: Live from the PA Leadership ConferenceGovernment Accountability
“Full-Time” Lawmakers Earn Plenty of Outside Income
Team 4 Reports uncovers that Pennsylvania legislators, who earn about $80,000 per year in salary for their full-time job, also earn plenty of outside income (HT Grassroots PA).
Media
Read More: “Full-Time” Lawmakers Earn Plenty of Outside Income