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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.

Education

Teacher Merit Pay May Come to Pittsburgh

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 23, 2009

Pittsburgh City Schools may soon finalize their second huge grant. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is granting the system $40 million over 6 and half years to improve…

Media

Read More: Teacher Merit Pay May Come to Pittsburgh

Government Accountability

Every Generation Needs A Revolution

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 23, 2009

Pennsylvania's government is a prime exhibition of Lord Acton's well-known admonition that "power corrupts."…

Commentary

Read More: Every Generation Needs A Revolution

Health Care

US Senate’s Turkey of a Health Care Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 23, 2009

The Association of Physician and Surgeons has a one-page handout on some number and facts about the latest Senate health care bill.

Media

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Education

Taxing Students For Past Mistakes

  • November 21, 2009

Pittsburgh’s financial problems are such that it gave rise to the Intergovermental Cooperation Authority(ICA) – formed by none other than, perennially in-deficit Governor, Ed Rendell. The ICA was put…

Media

Read More: Taxing Students For Past Mistakes

Public Union Democracy

State Tax Trends

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 20, 2009

ATR has a new report on state tax trends. In addition to a roundup of state tax changes, the new report highlights trends with policy implications. While we pointed…

Media

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Government Accountability

What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 20, 2009

Following the recent “Taxpayers March on Harrisburg,” as well as recent health care protests in Washington DC and elsewhere, a grassroots organizer posed the question, “what should we do now?”…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Pittsburgh not Prevailing

  • November 20, 2009

Pittsburgh City Council President Doug Shields is lobbying support for a prevailing wage law in the municipality.  His bill would set prevailing wage rates for most employees working…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

New I-80 Tolling Study Lacks Credibility

  • November 19, 2009

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s ill-advised attempts to toll I-80 continues; yesterday, Brian Chase, an independent consultant, spoke to the House Republican Policy Committee (PLS Subscription) about the validity…

Media

Read More: New I-80 Tolling Study Lacks Credibility