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.
State Budget
Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased
Tax reform will save Pennsylvania's consumers an estimated $324 million. This according to the Public Utility Commission, which approved rate cuts for 17 utility companies last week. The lower utitlity bills will kick in July 1…
Media
Read More: Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not ErasedEducation
Pittsburgh School District Rescinds Performance-Based Pay
In 2009, the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) utilized a $40 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to implement a comprehensive new K-12 education program. The program, known…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh School District Rescinds Performance-Based PayEducation
Time to Let Fair Funding Work
A recent Philadelphia Inquirer editorial on school funding gets it partly right, but partly wrong. They challenge the fact that Pennsylvania spends $3,800 more per student than the national…
Media
Read More: Time to Let Fair Funding WorkHealth Care
A $2,000 Blister and Other Medicaid Failures
Sunburns, warts, and blisters—Medicaid recipients receive Emergency Room (ER) treatment for these common ailments, costing state taxpayers millions of dollars according to a WTAE investigation by Paul Van Osdol. With nearly…
Media
Read More: A $2,000 Blister and Other Medicaid FailuresEducation
Nine Irrefutable Facts About Education Savings Accounts
Children deserve an education that fits their unique needs. It’s time to bring education savings accounts to Pennsylvania and make that dream a reality. How do they work? Is there…
Memo
Read More: Nine Irrefutable Facts About Education Savings AccountsState Budget
2018 State Budget Trends
On February 6, Governor Wolf laid out his plan for the 2018-19 state budget. His proposal includes a $250 million energy tax and nearly $1 billion in new General Fund…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 2018 State Budget TrendsEducation
Election Results Shouldn’t Detract Attention From Real Reforms
Pennsylvania’s primary election results are sure to command a lot of attention this week, as analysts attempt to explain what the outcomes mean for November. One thing is certain: Many new…
Media
Read More: Election Results Shouldn’t Detract Attention From Real ReformsEducation
Upward Trend in School District Reserve Funds Continues
Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE) released their 2016-17 financial reports less than a week after opponents of education choice for children loudly proclaimed that the sky is falling,…
Media
Read More: Upward Trend in School District Reserve Funds ContinuesGovernment Accountability
Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt
Government transparency is a driving issue for Rep. Seth Grove. Without it, citizens can’t determine if state government is spending tax dollars efficiently. And hiding government operations from the public…
Media
Read More: Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt
Every Child Deserves the Best Education Possible!
Every Pennsylvania child is unique and deserves the best education possible—no matter their income or ZIP code. School choice is giving opportunities to hundreds of thousands of kids, but too many…
Media
Read More: Every Child Deserves the Best Education Possible!Public Union Democracy
Reading Schools Stop Paying Ghost Teachers
Since 2011, Reading taxpayers have spent over $500,000 subsidizing the salaries of local teachers’ union officials. Finally, this unfair arrangement will end. In a practice known as “ghost teaching,”…
Media
Read More: Reading Schools Stop Paying Ghost TeachersHealth Care
A Future for My Kids and Me
Megan Spaulding graduated from the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology Medical Assistant program two years ago. This single mom turned medical professional describes her new found career as “life-changing.”…
Media
Read More: A Future for My Kids and Me
School Districts’ Cash Hoard Grows for 12th-Straight Year, Tops $4.5 Billion
Despite annual complaints of underfunding, Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts grew their massive reserve funds again this year, according the latest data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. School district reserves…
Press Release
Read More: School Districts’ Cash Hoard Grows for 12th-Straight Year, Tops $4.5 BillionHealth Care
Medicaid is Broken, Work Requirements Can Help
Pennsylvanians deserve every opportunity to live fulfilling, prosperous lives. But too often, government programs end up holding back our friends and neighbors by discouraging them from pursuing independence.
Commentary
Read More: Medicaid is Broken, Work Requirements Can HelpEducation
Education Tax Credit Escalator Basics
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs have offered a lifeline to Pennsylvania students, delivering more than 570,000 scholarships since the programs began. Last…
Memo
Read More: Education Tax Credit Escalator BasicsState Budget
Why the Taxpayer Protection Act Matters to You
Pennsylvania could end the fiscal year with a budget deficit…again. If the latest Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) projections prove accurate, the commonwealth would need to fill a $195 million…
Media
Read More: Why the Taxpayer Protection Act Matters to YouTaxes & Economy
The Path to Prosperity
Last month we featured the story of Diane, a hardworking medical assistant in Clearfield County and graduate of the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) medical assistant…
Media
Read More: The Path to ProsperityCriminal Justice Reform
Unanimous Senate Vote Advances Criminal Justice Reform
The state Senate embraced criminal justice reform this week by unanimously passing three pieces of legislation comprising the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) II reforms. The first slate of JRI…
Media
Read More: Unanimous Senate Vote Advances Criminal Justice ReformTaxes & Economy
State House Strengthens Food Stamps Work Requirements
Today, the state House passed HB 1659, which strengthens existing work requirements for able-bodied adults in Pennsylvania’s food stamp program. This follows a work requirement measure for Medicaid,…
Press Release
Read More: State House Strengthens Food Stamps Work RequirementsTaxes & Economy
Wolf’s Severance Tax Among the Highest in the Nation
The Governor's fourth natural gas tax proposal, and 11th tax proposal overall, is now embodied in legislation. SB 1000 and HB 2253 join nine other bills sitting in the House and Senate, all…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Severance Tax Among the Highest in the NationGovernment Accountability
Government that Works?in the Shadows
Legislation introduced by Rep. Seth Grove—House Bill 1843—injects a much-needed dose of transparency into the state budget. The proposal would give taxpayers access to critical budget documents and financial…
Media
Read More: Government that Works?in the Shadows