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Jacob Custer

Policy Data Analyst

Jacob Custer is the Policy Data Analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation. 

Jacob graduated cum laude from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, with a bachelor’s degree in economics and public policy and a minor in American politics. Jacob received a master’s degree in economics from George Mason University in Virginia, where he also participated in the MA Fellowship at the Mercatus Center and worked as a graduate research assistant. 

Jacob is passionate about advancing economic freedom. His work in economics explores public choice theory, the socialist calculation debate, and property rights. To connect ideas with practice, he gained experience through internships at the Leadership Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and Capitol Hill. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Jacob worked in Washington, D.C., for a U.S. senator.

Outside of work, Jacob plays pickleball, looks for new board games to play, or hits the road in search of the next adventure.

Health Care

Painful Year for Pennsylvanians on the Obamacare Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 1, 2016

Today marks the fifth open enrollment season for Obamacare's insurance exchange. As predicted, premiums continue to skyrocket. In fact, Pennsylvania's premium increases are among the highest in the…

Media

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Education

Ghosts in the Education Machine

  • James Paul
  • October 28, 2016

If Pennsylvania students miss three days of school without an excuse, the law says they must be reported. But across the commonwealth, certain teachers have been absent for years—without consequences…

Commentary

Read More: Ghosts in the Education Machine

Public Union Democracy

Unions Profit by Restricting Workers’ Choices

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 28, 2016

The gold standard for labor reform is right-to-work, according to the conventional wisdom. However, our latest policy report…

Media

Read More: Unions Profit by Restricting Workers’ Choices

Regulation

State Pension Reform This Week?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 24, 2016

Pension reform talks are in full swing as state lawmakers finish up their fall session. The latest pension proposal offers a side-by-side hybrid system for new employees, including new…

Media

Read More: State Pension Reform This Week?

Regulation

Pennsylvanians Want Pension Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 20, 2016

A majority of Pennsylvanians want pension reform. In a poll conducted from October 4th to 9th, 54 percent of voters supported placing new state employees in a 401(k)-style…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Want Pension Reform

Education

APSCUF Threatens Faculty

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2016

This morning, APSCUF, the union representing 5,000 faculty at the State System of Higher Education schools, went on strike. As we pointed out a few weeks ago, one…

Media

Read More: APSCUF Threatens Faculty

Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

  • October 19, 2016

Political commentator Matt Lewis, author of “Too Dumb to Fail,” argues that to stay relevant, conservatives must overcome the media’s soundbite culture and advocate for long-term policy solutions consistent with the…

Commentary

Read More: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

Government Accountability

Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

  • October 19, 2016

What are the roots of conservatism? How has conservatism and its messengers changed over time and what are the consequences for the nation? Political commentator Matt Lewis, author of “…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

Health Care

Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 18, 2016

Pennsylvanians shopping on the health care exchange are in for a rude awakening. Yesterday the Insurance Department announced premiums for individual plans will increase by an average of 32…

Media

Read More: Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. Exchange

Government Accountability

How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

  • James Paul
  • October 17, 2016

Why are taxpayers being charged for money left unspent? This question is posed by NBC 10 reporter Mitch Blacher to public school administrators in southeastern Pennsylvania districts. An NBC investigation…

Media

Read More: How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

Education

House Speaker Seeks Boost for Vital Scholarship Programs

  • James Paul
  • October 17, 2016

Pennsylvania’s private school scholarship programs account for less than 2 percent of the $11 billion in state funds allocated for public schools. Yet it is impossible to overstate the…

Media

Read More: House Speaker Seeks Boost for Vital Scholarship Programs

CF in the News

  • October 15, 2016

Education funding is the job of the legislature, not the courts. Per-student spending is already at an all-time high in Pennsylvania, more than $3,000 above the national average.

Commentary

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CF in the News

  • October 15, 2016

Education funding is the job of the legislature, not the courts. Per-student spending is already at an all-time high in Pennsylvania, more than $3,000 above the national average.

Commentary

Read More: CF in the News

Charter Reform: Get it Right

  • October 15, 2016

Nearly 20 years after charter schools were introduced in Pennsylvania, 130,000 students benefit from the educational choice offered by these independently managed, publicly funded schools. It’s no secret that charter…

Commentary

Read More: Charter Reform: Get it Right

Charter Reform: Get it Right

  • October 15, 2016

Nearly 20 years after charter schools were introduced in Pennsylvania, 130,000 students benefit from the educational choice offered by these independently managed, publicly funded schools. It’s no secret that charter…

Commentary

Read More: Charter Reform: Get it Right

Changing the Conversation

  • October 15, 2016

The news and information industry is changing rapidly as mobile technology overtakes traditional media platforms. Podcasts have emerged as a popular medium that offers even more flexibility and opportunity for…

Commentary

Read More: Changing the Conversation

Changing the Conversation

  • October 15, 2016

The news and information industry is changing rapidly as mobile technology overtakes traditional media platforms. Podcasts have emerged as a popular medium that offers even more flexibility and opportunity for…

Commentary

Read More: Changing the Conversation