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Mimi O’Grady

Policy Integration Manager

Marilyn (Mimi) O’Grady is the Policy Integration Manager at Commonwealth Foundation. Mimi schedules, plans, prioritizes, and oversees special projects for the Chief Policy Officer in executing Commonwealth Foundation’s policy agenda to ensure all Pennsylvanians can flourish.

Prior to joining Commonwealth Foundation, Mimi worked for Americans for Fair Treatment and scheduled for several U.S. Representatives and a U.S. Senator. Mimi graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in public relations and cultivated her passion for and experience in logistics while working on Capitol Hill. A Pittsburgh native, Mimi currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and sons and enjoys cooking, historical fiction, and spending time outside.

Government Accountability

Will Gov. Wolf Stay True to “Openness” in Government?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf’s first week in office included several moves to paint a picture of ethics and transparency in state government. First Wolf issued executive orders banning executive staff from…

Media

Read More: Will Gov. Wolf Stay True to “Openness” in Government?

Taxes & Economy

Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2015

It’s indisputable that where there is Marcellus shale drilling there has been robust economic growth. Over the past six years, Pennsylvania counties with Marcellus shale drilling led the state in…

Commentary

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Regulation

PLCB Limitations Shackle Entrepreneurs

  • January 26, 2015

“I’ve got products in the pipeline that I can’t sell, because they didn’t get approved,” said Mike Gonze, president of Dreadnought Wines in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article that perfectly…

Media

Read More: PLCB Limitations Shackle Entrepreneurs

Criminal Justice Reform

Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 23, 2015

Unprecedented reductions in the prison population, $69.9 million in taxpayer savings, and lower recidivism rates all indicate that the 2012 corrections reforms are working. Earlier this month Don Gilliland over…

Media

Read More: Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win

Education

Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory

  • January 22, 2015

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory What Could $200 Million Buy Philadelphia Students? Good afternoon, In a blow to education reform…

Press Release

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Education

Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 22, 2015

The school district of Philadelphia saw a $1 billion increase in revenue over the past decade, even as enrollment declined. Yet many claim there isn’t enough funding for basic…

Media

Read More: Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms

Audio: School Choice Offers New Direction to Academic Excellence

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • January 21, 2015

Pennsylvania’s students deserve the best education opportunities available, and the recent academic performance of York City School District—the second lowest district in the state—makes clear that we can do better…

Media

Read More: Audio: School Choice Offers New Direction to Academic Excellence

On Inauguration Day, Campaign Rhetoric Meets Governing Reality

  • January 20, 2015

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 On Inauguration Day, Campaign Rhetoric Meets Governing Reality “Math” will challenge Gov. Wolf’s unaffordable campaign promises…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty Behind

  • January 19, 2015

Making “the rich” pay higher taxes will miraculously help the poor. This antiquated idea is the conclusion of a recent paper released by the…

Media

Read More: How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty Behind