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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.

Public Union Democracy

PLCB Keeps Employees in the Dark

  • February 1, 2019

Less than one year ago, the Supreme Court declared that public sector workers’ constitutional rights to free speech and association came before government unions’ desire to collect fees from those…

Media

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Opportunity Denied

  • January 31, 2019

Over 50,000 families are turned away from Pennsylvania's vital EITC program each year. Lawmakers should raise the caps on business donations to meet student demand.

Commentary

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Opportunity Denied

  • Marc LeBlond
  • January 31, 2019

Over 50,000 families are turned away from Pennsylvania's vital EITC program each year. Lawmakers should raise the caps on business donations to meet student demand.

Commentary

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Education

Kids Deserve Fair Funding and Choice

  • Marc LeBlond
  • January 30, 2019

On Jan 23, 2019, Rep. Chris Rabb hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on 100 percent Fair School Funding. Rep. Rabb graciously invited CF to participate. Below are Marc…

Media

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State Budget

Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the Economy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 30, 2019

Revenue collections are $400 million above projections. Next year’s budget should be easy to balance. Instead, lawmakers are looking at a projected $1.7 billion deficit. Why? Pennsylvania continues…

Memo

Read More: Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the Economy

Remembering Yvonne Morgan

  • Charles Mitchell
  • January 28, 2019

I have been blessed with some amazing moms in my life, and Yvonne Morgan—my “BUCC Mom”—was one of them. …

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Pa. Union Members Sue for the Right to Resign

  • Jessica Barnett
  • January 25, 2019

No organization should be able to force workers to remain members. Sadly, that’s the reality for thousands of Pennsylvania public sector workers. While the Supreme Court decision in Janus v.

Media

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Education

School Choice: Stuck in the Middle (Class)

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • January 24, 2019

“I fear we’ve become a school for the haves and the have-nots,” one private school leader in Florida worried. What’s happened to those in between? The wealthy can afford to…

Media

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Education

Michael Scott Wasn’t the Only Bad Manager in Scranton

  • January 23, 2019

It’s been five years since the television show The Office ended, and Scranton is making headlines again. No, not because Michael Scott had an insensitive diversity training, nor because Ryan…

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania State Budget Trends

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 22, 2019

On February 5, Governor Wolf will lay out his proposal for the 2019-20 state budget. Here are some key facts on spending trends, last year’s enacted budget, and challenges going…

Fact Sheet

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Regulation

How Big is the Pa. State Budget? 17 Million Yoga Rooms

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 22, 2019

Much has been made about a yoga and meditation room in the state Capitol—costing taxpayers about $5,000 to furnish. With an annual state budget that could pay for…

Media

Read More: How Big is the Pa. State Budget? 17 Million Yoga Rooms