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.
Regulation
Pensions ‘spike’ troubles state officials
Deb Erdley has an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on how lawmakers are starting to pay attention to the looming crisis in state pension plans. The only quibble…
Media
Read More: Pensions ‘spike’ troubles state officialsRegulation
Tax credits and stupid Hollywood movies
M. Knight Shyamalan came to Harrisburg yesterday to promote the state’s film tax credit. He basically said, “more money for me is good for you.” The Tax Foundation…
Media
Read More: Tax credits and stupid Hollywood moviesEducation
State pre-K program “getting results”?
The PA Department of Education issued a statement, patting themselves on the back, claiming that the “Pre-K Counts” program was working as intended. They cite an increase in…
Media
Read More: State pre-K program “getting results”?Government Accountability
Limiting political speech won’t create good government
In the latest Democracy Rising Newsletter, Tim Potts takes on two issues: redistricting and campaign finance. On redistricting I agree with him–we should not let those running for…
Media
Read More: Limiting political speech won’t create good governmentRegulation
Smoking bans and individual rights
Given the title, and the link from GrassrootsPA, I expected Eric Heyl’s column on the smoking ban to be a good read. Needless to say, I was disappointed.
Media
Read More: Smoking bans and individual rightsTaxes & Economy
Biofuels Are Indefensible
Scathing editorial by the chairman of Nestle in the Wall Street Journal on the push for biofuels (including massive subsidies and mandates from government) If there’s one certainty,…
Media
Read More: Biofuels Are IndefensibleTaxes & Economy
Economic Benefits of NAFTA
National Center for Policy Analysis has a new analysis on the economic benefits of NAFTA. NAFTA critics most frequently point to the “lost jobs” but here are some facts:…
Media
Read More: Economic Benefits of NAFTATaxes & Economy
Reagonomics Works!
A new comparative study of economic growth among countries finds that big government results in slower economic growth, whereas countries with smaller government have greater growth. They also note that…
Media
Read More: Reagonomics Works!Regulation
Corporate Welfare In, Fiscal Restraint Out
Commonwealth Foundation calls House budget irresponsible and misguided HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation charged that proposals by the Pennsylvania House Democrats to increase Governor Rendell’s proposed budget by…
Press Release
Read More: Corporate Welfare In, Fiscal Restraint OutEducation
Abandoning The SAT – Fraud or Folly?
Interesting discussion about universities ending use of the SAT at Wake Forest (presumably applicable to the ACT – which I took, and scored crazy high on) at Minding the…
Media
Read More: Abandoning The SAT – Fraud or Folly?Government Accountability
Are Pennsylvania and Iraq going in opposite directions?
Jonathan Jenkins, a Pennsylvania resident serving in Iraq, ask “Are Pennsylvania and Iraq going in opposite directions?” He offers the perspective the Iraq is improving, while Pennsylvania is declining,…
Media
Read More: Are Pennsylvania and Iraq going in opposite directions?Regulation
Tenant unlikely for $250 million airport
A LBFC study on the Hazleton area airport proposal finds that prospect of attracting a major client is remote (FedEx and DHL said “heck no”, while UPS said “very…
Media
Read More: Tenant unlikely for $250 million airportHealth Care
Voters Send Mixed Messages on Health Care
Michael Tanner on polls about health care and the divergent proposals , concluding, “as November approaches, voters will reach a fork in the road, and as Yogi Berra says,…
Media
Read More: Voters Send Mixed Messages on Health CareEducation
Popping the Tuition Bubble
Interesting article in The American about the idea of financing higher education by promising a set portion of future earnings for loans. The idea of “human capital contracts” was…
Media
Read More: Popping the Tuition Bubble
Is the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission a secret cult?
Peter Samuel of Toll Roads News seems to think so, as he struggles in his quest to get information about the Commission, and why Governor Rendell tolerates people he…
Media
Read More: Is the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission a secret cult?Taxes & Economy
How late will the budget be this year?
With the debate over furloughs heating up (also see here), House Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans announced that the House will begin debating the budget the week of…
Media
Read More: How late will the budget be this year?Regulation
Budget: WAMs in, Rainy Day Fund to be Raided
The House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment that increases the Governor’s proposed budget by $148 million (which, according to Evans’ news release, isn’t much money). This raises the…
Media
Read More: Budget: WAMs in, Rainy Day Fund to be RaidedTaxes & Economy
$4 Gasbags
Wall Street Journal looks at the absurdity of Congress’ posturing to “do something” about high gas prices – except allow increased US production of gasoline. “Pain at the Pump”…
Media
Read More: $4 Gasbags
Q&A on the Turnpike | CFTV on YouTube
If you were unable to join us for Policies & Principles Luncheon on Tuesday, June 10th with Roy Kienitz of the Governor’s Office discussing a lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike,…
Press Release
Read More: Q&A on the Turnpike | CFTV on YouTubeRegulation
Did slots hurt lottery collections?
A new report by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee find that slots gambling has hurt lottery revenue. Not only has lottery revenue and participation seen almost no growth…
Media
Read More: Did slots hurt lottery collections?
Video: Turnpike Lease Q&A
Video from yesterday’s luncheon on leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike is below (or click here) For additional information, our Policy Brief on the Turnpike lease is here (it…
Media
Read More: Video: Turnpike Lease Q&A