Jessica Fannin
Marketing Coordinator
Jessica Fannin is the Marketing Coordinator at the Commonwealth Foundation.
She brings to the public affairs team a background in storytelling fueled by strategic audience engagement, videography, and digital media.
A graduate of Messiah University, Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and journalism. During her time at Messiah, she was a podcast host for the student radio station and an Emmy-nominated student journalist. Additionally, she gained experience through internships at a Christian TV station, a videography company, and a financial-planning firm.
Jessica is passionate about finding creative ways to connect with an audience and deliver messages that resonate. At the core of her work is a love for people and the drive to share stories that matter.
When she is not at work, Jessica enjoys staying active with activities like line dancing, exercising, and exploring new trails.
Education
Pennsylvanians Shouldn’t Worry About Education Dept.
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. The U.S. Department of Education might be going away—and it’s the right move—one that returns control to the states. Closing the…
Media Hit
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Shadow School Choice: When Public Schools Turn Students Away
Summary The School District of Philadelphia outsources special education to private schools when the district is unable to meet the student’s special education needs. The U.S. Department of Education guarantees…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Shadow School Choice: When Public Schools Turn Students AwayEnergy
IFO Data Shows Pennsylvania’s Emissions Success Story
The Keystone State is lowering emissions and generating more energy without RGGI or PACER taxes. Overview The Keystone State cut total emissions while increasing electricity generation, according to the two…
Fact Sheet
Read More: IFO Data Shows Pennsylvania’s Emissions Success StoryEducation
Shapiro Is Ignoring Students Trying to Escape Failing Schools
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. According to the Nation’s Report Card, nearly 70% of Pennsylvania’s eighth-graders can’t read or do math at grade level. Results are…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Is Ignoring Students Trying to Escape Failing SchoolsHealth Care
If the ACA Works, Why Do Pennsylvanians Need to Prop It Up?
Originally published by Delaware Valley Journal. During his budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro claimed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “is working for Pennsylvanians.” So, is he right? Judging by his…
Media Hit
Read More: If the ACA Works, Why Do Pennsylvanians Need to Prop It Up?Energy
Gov. Shapiro’s Energy Policies Will Cost Pennsylvanians
Originally published by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Gov. Josh Shapiro wants you to believe that he is saving you money. “From childcare to health care to energy, we’ve been focused…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s Energy Policies Will Cost PennsylvaniansEducation
Political Hit Job on Cyber Charter Schools
Originally published by TribLive. Forget better schools. Apparently, Pennsylvania students need fewer schools, even if that means hurting the kids who need the most help. That’s effectively the message…
Media Hit
Read More: Political Hit Job on Cyber Charter SchoolsEducation
Pennsylvania Education Myths
Summary Conversations about education in Pennsylvania are fraught with myths, including the notions that Pennsylvania public schools remain underfunded, nonpublic options and school choice programs lack accountability, private schools only…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Education MythsState Budget
Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue Projections
Harrisburg, Pa., March 5, 2025 — Tuesday, the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its analysis of revenue proposals contained in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget proposal. This latest…
Press Release
Read More: Independent Fiscal Office Exposes Shapiro’s Overinflated Revenue ProjectionsState Budget
Deficit Watch: March 2025
Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: March 2025Education
Don’t Punish Cyber Charters for Being Fiscally Responsible
Originally published on RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania cyber charter schools are under attack for—of all things—not wastefully spending taxpayer money. The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General recently …
Media Hit
Read More: Don’t Punish Cyber Charters for Being Fiscally ResponsiblePublic Union Democracy
Government Unions are Losing Money and Members—but Not Power and Influence
Originally published by Penn Live/Patriot-News. Pennsylvania’s second-largest union is on the brink of collapse. Last year, the Harrisburg-based subsidiary of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees…
Media Hit
Read More: Government Unions are Losing Money and Members—but Not Power and InfluenceEducation
Senate Republicans School Shapiro Administration, Stand up for Students and Taxpayers
Harrisburg, Pa., February 27, 2025 — Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony from Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed education spending…
Press Release
Read More: Senate Republicans School Shapiro Administration, Stand up for Students and Taxpayers
Commonwealth Foundation Announces Promotion of Elizabeth Stelle to Vice President of Policy
Elizabeth Stelle previously served as the Director of Policy Analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation. Harrisburg, Pa., February 26, 2025 — Commonwealth Foundation is pleased to announce the promotion of…
Media Hit
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Announces Promotion of Elizabeth Stelle to Vice President of PolicyEducation
New Report: Demand for Tax Credit Scholarships Rises as Wait Lists Grow
Rising, unmet demand for EITC and OSTC programs necessitates expanded educational choice options like Lifeline Scholarships. Harrisburg, Pa., February 26, 2025 — Demand for school choice scholarships…
Press Release
Read More: New Report: Demand for Tax Credit Scholarships Rises as Wait Lists GrowEducation
Record Tax Credit Scholarship Waiting List Shows Growing Demand for Education Options
Summary Pennsylvania scholarship organizations awarded a record 85,570 K–12 scholarships through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) in the 2022-23 school year. The average…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Record Tax Credit Scholarship Waiting List Shows Growing Demand for Education OptionsEducation
Pennsylvania Public Schools are Failing — and More Money Won’t Help
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Imagine bringing home a report card full of Ds and Fs. How would your parents react? Also, would this be a good time…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Public Schools are Failing — and More Money Won’t HelpState Budget
Optimizing State Spending
Summary Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural budget deficit in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–25. The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) calculates Gov. Josh Shapiro’s FY 2025–26 budget…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania Public Schools: Nation’s Report Card 2024
Summary Despite $4.1 billion in education funding increases over the last four years, Pennsylvania public schools did not rank in the top 10 for any category…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Public Schools: Nation’s Report Card 2024Public Union Democracy
David Osborne joins the Guy Benson Show on Fox News Radio
Curious to learn how Trump’s Labor Secretary pick, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, might impact public sector union policy? David Osborne, Senior Fellow of Labor Policy at Commonwealth Foundation discusses this and more…
Media Hit
Read More: David Osborne joins the Guy Benson Show on Fox News RadioEducation
Audit Shows Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools are Fiscally Responsible
Cyber charter schools need reserve funds to ensure their continued operation despite fluctuations in their unpredictable funding. CORRECTION: A previous version of this release incorrectly stated that the fund…
Press Release
Read More: Audit Shows Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools are Fiscally Responsible