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

Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals

  • October 8, 2014

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf has proposed several new spending initiatives and tax code changes, though specific details remain lacking. To give Pennsylvanians a better idea of the impact of these proposals,…

Memo

Read More: Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals

Education

PFT/AFT: Politics Before Health Care

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 7, 2014

The recent decision by the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (SRC) to cancel the school district’s contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)—and require teachers to pay up to 13…

Media

Read More: PFT/AFT: Politics Before Health Care

State Budget

Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2014

Last week, two major bond rating agencies (Fitch and Standards & Poor’s) downgraded Pennsylvania’s debt rating citing poor fiscal health. While this should worry voters—taxpayers will be forced to pay…

Commentary

Read More: Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending

Regulation

How Much are Pension Costs Affecting Schools?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2014

My colleague Katrina has an op-ed in The Patriot-News today explaining the gravity of the state pension crisis and why action needs to happen now. As Katrina points out,…

Media

Read More: How Much are Pension Costs Affecting Schools?

Health Care

When the Poorest Fall Through

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 6, 2014

On a Friday near noon, on the top floor of Christ Lutheran Church, John Kiessling has patients occupying both chairs at his charity dental clinic.  He buzzes from one to…

Media

Read More: When the Poorest Fall Through

Education

Lawmakers Vote Today – Educate Students at a Fraction of the Cost

  • October 6, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Scholarship Programs Already Saved School Districts Nearly a Billion Dollars EITC and OSTC Save Money While Improving Education Outcomes…

Press Release

Read More: Lawmakers Vote Today – Educate Students at a Fraction of the Cost

Taxes & Economy

New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas Industry

  • Gordon Tomb
  • October 6, 2014

Armstrong County farmer Randy Walker worries about the effect of a natural gas severance tax on his royalties and the job market. Mr. Walker’s concerns are well founded. The natural gas…

Commentary

Read More: New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas Industry

Education

Union-Backed Report Rife with Hypocrisy

  • James Paul
  • October 3, 2014

Three union-affiliated groups released a report alleging that Pennsylvania charter schools defrauded taxpayers to the tune of $30 million since 1997. Predictably, this story has been greeted…

Media

Read More: Union-Backed Report Rife with Hypocrisy

Regulation

Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 2, 2014

Last week two Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) administrative law judges recommended against legalizing the popular transportation service Uber in Allegheny County. The reason? The company, “is not committed to…

Media

Read More: Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber

Education

School Funding Doublespeak

  • James Paul
  • September 30, 2014

How can school funding be “slashed” yet “technically rise”? Take a look at this excerpt from a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, (emphasis mine): Education funding to…

Media

Read More: School Funding Doublespeak

Proud

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 29, 2014

You may have heard about a nationwide Great Communicators Tournament in which SIX of our team members were semi-finalists. Well, I’m proud to announce that—out of hundreds of participants—our…

Media

Read More: Proud