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.
Taxes & Economy
Turnpike Comission seeks private bidders to finish roads
With no sense of irony, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is adverstising for for “expressions of interest” from private firms interested in finishing and managining the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Findlay…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Comission seeks private bidders to finish roads
Study: Speculation and Predetermined Conclusions
House Democrats waste taxpayer money on useless report HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation responded to a study released today by the House Democrats on the potential lease…
Press Release
Read More: Study: Speculation and Predetermined ConclusionsTaxes & Economy
Free analysis of costly Turnpike study
Toll Roads News offers some comments on the $75,000 taxpayer-funded “study” on a Turnpike lease. The Caucus report is in its nature hypothetical. It is based on…
Media
Read More: Free analysis of costly Turnpike studyTaxes & Economy
Did the PA min. wage increase cost jobs?
The PA Department of Labor and Industry released their report on the state minimum wage increase. As this Post-Gazette story indicated, the report doesn’t attempt to address what…
Media
Read More: Did the PA min. wage increase cost jobs?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission vs. PennDOT
Act 44 of 2007 dramatically expanded the scope and power of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) to increase tolls on the 537-mile Turnpike; enter into a lease agreement with…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission vs. PennDOTPublic Union Democracy
Texas v. Ohio
Wall Street Journal article contrasts the economic fortunes between Texas (good) and Ohio (bad), and explores some of the reasons behind this – namely taxes (Texas=low, Ohio=high and increasing)…
Media
Read More: Texas v. OhioTaxes & Economy
NAFTA, Foreign Trade, and jobs
Cato’s Dan Griswold writes that “Ohio Needs More Foreign Trade” as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama denounce NAFTA in Ohio: Ohio workers would pay a heavy price for…
Media
Read More: NAFTA, Foreign Trade, and jobsRegulation
Union wants pension backing for roads
Financial Times article on public sector unions pushing for public pension funds to invest in roads and other infrastructure. Of course, as noted, many public pension funds (the California…
Media
Read More: Union wants pension backing for roadsTaxes & Economy
An Upside for the Middle Class
Interesting Washington Post article on the middle class: Items once considered luxuries — dishwashers, central air conditioning, video cameras — are now common. The average size of new…
Media
Read More: An Upside for the Middle ClassRegulation
How to Shrink an Economy
Penn State Altoona econ professor John McGinnis writes on how Pennsylvania’s “economic development” spending shrinks our economy – first by taxing to pay for this corporate welfare, then by…
Media
Read More: How to Shrink an EconomyGovernment Accountability
After returning raise, LaGrotta took it back
Another bizarre twist in the payraise debacle was uncovered in the Frank Lagrotta case. Former Rep. LaGrotta was recenlty convicted and sentenced, and more recently face a ruling that…
Media
Read More: After returning raise, LaGrotta took it backState Budget
PA Budget Historical Numbers
I’ve received a couple of requests for historics Pennsylvania state budget numbers, so I thought I’d post the data here. The figures represent actual final spending from 1970-2007, while…
Media
Read More: PA Budget Historical NumbersEducation
Empowering Families
Ken Blackwell commentary on the mistakes states are making by continuing to push for taxpayer-funded state-run preschool – to the detriment of educational choice and parental control. Topics…
Media
Read More: Empowering FamiliesTaxes & Economy
Daylight Saving Wastes Energy
A new study show that daylight savings time result in higher energy use, reports the Wall Street Journal, examing the effect of Indiana’s recent move to DST. Daylight Savings…
Media
Read More: Daylight Saving Wastes EnergyGovernment Accountability
RIP William F. Buckley
Roundup of obituaries, blogs, and other comments on conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr., who passed away at 82 today. National Review OnlineWashington Post ObituaryReason…
Media
Read More: RIP William F. BuckleyTaxes & Economy
Wages Are a Price, Too
A good chart of wages vs. inflation on the CARPE DIEM blog, along with a criticism of today’s Wall Street Journal article on inflation (and a humorous transposition…
Media
Read More: Wages Are a Price, Too
Act 1 Indexes
Allegheny Institute Blog looks at Act 1 “Indexes” for 2008 – the level each school district can increase property taxes without referendum, before exemptions are included. The complete list…
Media
Read More: Act 1 IndexesTaxes & Economy
Foreigners Create Jobs
With transportation funding from last year's Act 44 looking increasingly unlikely to materialize, Gov. Rendell is wisely continuing to push for a private-sector lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike as part…
Commentary
Read More: Foreigners Create JobsTaxes & Economy
Bio-Foolish Behavior
IBD Editorial on the lack of common sense in pushing for additional bio-fuel mandates and taxpayer subsidy: In 2005, America used 15% of its corn crop to replace…
Media
Read More: Bio-Foolish BehaviorPublic Union Democracy
Broad Based Coalition Supports Davis-Bacon Reform
News release from the Alliance for Worker Freedom on coalition of organizations (including the Commonwealth Foundation) supporting Davis-Bacon reform: According to James Sherk of the Heritage Foundation, “In…
Media
Read More: Broad Based Coalition Supports Davis-Bacon Reform
Turnpike Ad Campaign Opposes Lease Plan
KDKA TV story on the PA Turnpike’s use of toll revenue to fund a $300,000 advertising campaign to defends its fiefdom, while highlighting their excesses and recent…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Ad Campaign Opposes Lease Plan