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.
Public Union Democracy
The Coming Union Bailout
America's history is filled with stories about entrepreneurs who persevered through repeated failure before eventually succeeding. These pre-21st century men and women didn't get help from the government, they turned…
Commentary
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Demint on Charity
Jim Demint gives some great remarks on why government cannot, and should not, force individuals to be more charitable and volunteer more. More Reading on Charity and Government…
Media
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Dozens of Tea Parties Coming to Pennsylvania
In conjunction with the Tax Day Tea Party Movement, the Commonwealth Foundation is organizing another Harrisburg Tea Party, to be held on the Capitol Steps at noon on…
Press Release
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Tea Parties in Pennsylvania
In conjunction with the Tax Day Tea Party Movement, the Commonwealth Foundation is organizing another Harrisburg Tea Party, to be held on the Capitol Steps at noon on…
Media
Read More: Tea Parties in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced additional charges against former Rep. Mike Veon and staffer Annamarie Peretta-Rosepink for their role in directing state funds to the Beaver Initiative…
Media
Read More: Veon Fallout: An End to WAMsGovernment Accountability
Do Campaign Finance Laws Authorize Banning Books?
From the Las Vegas Review Journal: Astonishingly, Malcom Stewart, deputy solicitor general of the United States, replied in the affirmative “if the book contained the functional equivalent of express…
Media
Read More: Do Campaign Finance Laws Authorize Banning Books?Taxes & Economy
Bush vs, Obama Deficit in Picture
Here is a frightening picture of the projected federal deficit, courtesy the Heritage Foundation. They go on to comment…
Media
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Tea Party Food Drive
Our office is abuzz with preparations for the Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party. We can’t wait to see you all on April 15th! We wanted to let you know…
Media
Read More: Tea Party Food DriveGovernment Accountability
Tea Party Food Drive
Our office is abuzz with preparations for the Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party. We can’t wait to see you all on April 15th! We wanted to let you know…
Media
Read More: Tea Party Food DrivePublic Union Democracy
Sen. Specter’s Comments on “Card Check”
Senator Arlen Specter made news yesterday by saying he would not vote for “card check” because of both the elimination of the secret ballot and the bind arbitration provisions.
Media
Read More: Sen. Specter’s Comments on “Card Check”Public Union Democracy
Sen. Specter’s Comments on “Card Check”
Senator Arlen Specter made news yesterday by saying he would not vote for “card check” because of both the elimination of the secret ballot and the bind arbitration provisions.
Media
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Higher Education: Focus on Students not Research
A new study from AEI bolsters our claim that higher education’s obsession with (often obscure) research lowers the quality of undergraduate education. Professor Bauerlein’s paper entitled “Professors…
Media
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Higher Education: Focus on Students not Research
A new study from AEI bolsters our claim that higher education’s obsession with (often obscure) research lowers the quality of undergraduate education. Professor Bauerlein’s paper entitled “Professors…
Media
Read More: Higher Education: Focus on Students not ResearchTaxes & Economy
Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike Lease
The Pew Center on the States has a new report out offering lessons to Pennsylvania and other states on the proposed deal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike (full…
Media
Read More: Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike LeaseHealth Care
A Bad Deal on Health Care
This AP story reports that AHIP and Blue Cross Blue Shield are willing to “compromise” on health care reform – ending the practice of “charging higher premiums to…
Media
Read More: A Bad Deal on Health CareRegulation
State Regulation of Bake Sales Goes Too Far
Hat Tip to Tom Shaheen of the PA Family Institute for this story of the weird/big government. It turns out that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been…
Media
Read More: State Regulation of Bake Sales Goes Too FarTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…
Media
Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic RankingTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…
Media
Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic RankingGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo
ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend FumoGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo
ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend FumoTaxes & Economy
Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike
Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP. Toll Roads News…
Media
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