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.
Janus and Pennsylvania: A Legal Analysis
How does the constitutional right of free speech for union workers apply in Pennsylvania?…
Commentary
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Janus and Pennsylvania: A Legal Analysis
How does the constitutional right of free speech for union workers apply in Pennsylvania?…
Commentary
Read More: Janus and Pennsylvania: A Legal Analysis
Introducing Keith Williams and Americans for Fair Treatment
A former schoolteacher comes on board Americans for Fair Treatment…
Commentary
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Introducing Keith Williams and Americans for Fair Treatment
A former schoolteacher comes on board Americans for Fair Treatment…
Commentary
Read More: Introducing Keith Williams and Americans for Fair Treatment
State Budget Misses Key Opportunities
The good, bad, and ugly about this year's budget…
Commentary
Read More: State Budget Misses Key Opportunities
State Budget Misses Key Opportunities
The good, bad, and ugly about this year's budget…
Commentary
Read More: State Budget Misses Key Opportunities
Celebrating a Life Well-Lived
CF announces the Don Kirkland Society…
Commentary
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Celebrating a Life Well-Lived
CF announces the Don Kirkland Society…
Commentary
Read More: Celebrating a Life Well-Lived
Supreme Court Restores Government Workers’ Rights
Nobody should be forced to pay for unions' political activity.
Commentary
Read More: Supreme Court Restores Government Workers’ Rights
Supreme Court Restores Government Workers’ Rights
Nobody should be forced to pay for unions' political activity.
Commentary
Read More: Supreme Court Restores Government Workers’ RightsCriminal Justice Reform
Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life Sentences
In this second blog in our Safe and Smart series, we tackle Pennsylvania’s practice of sentencing offenders to life without parole (LWOP). LWOP is coming under greater scrutiny from people across the…
Media
Read More: Safe and Smart: Fixing Harsh Life SentencesCriminal Justice Reform
Philadelphia Forced to Reform Unjust Confiscation
Four years ago we told you the story of Markela and Chris Sourovelis, Philadelphians who lost their home when their son committed a minor drug crime thanks to an…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia Forced to Reform Unjust ConfiscationEducation
Young Entrepreneurs in Action
It’s rare to see kids voluntarily give up their Saturday to work. But that’s exactly what my 12- and 14-year old daughters—along with a dozen other kids—did at the recent…
Media
Read More: Young Entrepreneurs in ActionPublic Union Democracy
Lawmakers Can Stand Up for Home Care Workers
In early 2015 Governor Wolf issued an executive order unionizing home care workers throughout Pennsylvania, many of whom care for their own relatives. The state Supreme Court recently upheld the order. By…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Can Stand Up for Home Care WorkersCriminal Justice Reform
Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation System
CF’s newest policy brief, Safer Communities, Smarter Spending, provides a unique look at the problems in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. The commonwealth’s incarceration rate is too high. Its supervision…
Media
Read More: Safe and Smart: Restructuring Pa.’s Probation SystemTaxes & Economy
Where Are Americans Moving?
Millions of people move throughout the United States each year. Some make a home on the next street over. Others move across the country. This is a normal and healthy…
Media
Read More: Where Are Americans Moving?Public Union Democracy
Time to Shed Light on New Workers’ Rights
This Labor Day marks ten weeks since the Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that government employees should not be forced to pay a union or risk losing their…
Media
Read More: Time to Shed Light on New Workers’ RightsCriminal Justice Reform
Safer Communities, Smarter Spending
About 95 percent of those confined to state prison will eventually re-enter society. This is why reformers must focus attention on reducing recidivism and balance "tough on crime" practices of the past…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Safer Communities, Smarter SpendingEducation
More is Not Always Better
In the ongoing school funding case, William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education, several school districts are suing the state on the grounds that Pennsylvania has…
Media
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Work Requirements on Tap in Washington and Harrisburg
At the end of this month, the federal farm bill expires. Its replacement—a monolithic piece of legislation—is the subject of significant controversy over strengthening food stamp work requirements for healthy…
Media
Read More: Work Requirements on Tap in Washington and HarrisburgTaxes & Economy
How Pennsylvania Can Transform Its Tax Code
Pennsylvania’s state and local tax structure is an illogical patchwork of punitive and nuisance taxes, administrative inefficiencies, and special interest carveouts. A new report from the Tax Foundation highlights…
Media
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