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.
Education
Pa. School Funding Reaches $22,000 per Student in 2023
Pennsylvania Public School Spending Is Growing Over the last decade, state spending on Pennsylvania public schools reached all-time highs year after year. Pennsylvania per-pupil public school funding increased to $21,985…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pa. School Funding Reaches $22,000 per Student in 2023Public Union Democracy
Union democracy? Not so much
Originally published at The Mercury Another rowdy student group recently took over an Ivy League school, driven by outside agitators who neither attend nor care about the university’s success.
Media Hit
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Wall Street Journal Editorial: A School Choice Revival in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania students trapped in the state’s worst-performing schools have another opportunity for scholarships following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reversal of his previous stance and veto of bipartisan budget legislation last year.
Press Release
Read More: Wall Street Journal Editorial: A School Choice Revival in PennsylvaniaEnergy
Left’s “Sue-Till-Green” Strategy Comes to PA
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania When climate activists use the term “environmental justice,” they mean it literally. Rather than legislating and passing laws (as is customary in a constitutional republic),…
Media Hit
Read More: Left’s “Sue-Till-Green” Strategy Comes to PAHealth Care
Here’s what good health care looks like
Originally published at The Patriot-News Imagine scheduling a same-day telehealth appointment instead of waiting weeks for an in-person appointment. Or for needed surgery, you had access to local…
Media Hit
Read More: Here’s what good health care looks likeEducation
Parents and children versus politicians and teachers unions
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Who is more important: children or the teachers union? Like college students cramming for finals, Harrisburg politicians are supposed to pass a budget…
Media Hit
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Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate’s Passage of Historic Tax Cuts
Harrisburg, Pa., May 7, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 269, a bill to substantially reduce personal income taxes and lower Pennsylvanians’ electricity bills. Advanced by a…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate’s Passage of Historic Tax CutsEducation
Pa. Senate Committee Advances Lifeline Scholarships for Students in Failing Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., May 7, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee advanced Senate Bill (SB) 795, a bill to establish Lifeline Scholarships for children in failing schools. Sponsored by state…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Senate Committee Advances Lifeline Scholarships for Students in Failing SchoolsPublic Union Democracy
Why have teacher salaries become stagnant?
Join host David Osborne and guest Christian Barnard (Assistant Director of Education Reform at Reason Foundation) as they delve into the intricate dynamics behind the stagnant teacher salaries despite soaring…
Podcast
Read More: Why have teacher salaries become stagnant?Energy
Shapiro Energy Policy Is a Formula for Expensive Electricity
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania voters are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs. According to recent polling, 80 percent of Pennsylvanians say their utility bills have climbed…
Media Hit
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Commonwealth “Grow PA” Breakdown
Vice President of the Commonwealth Foundation Steve Bloom joins The Dawn Stensland Show to discuss the Grow PA plan for higher education. Topics on this pageSteve Bloom…
Media Hit
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Season 2, Episode 3 Featuring Don Asplen, CEO of Achievement House Cyber Charter School
In this episode of School Choice Report, guest host Guy Ciarrocchi interviews Don Asplen, CEO of Achievement House Cyber Charter School. They discuss what cyber charter schools are as well…
Podcast
Read More: Season 2, Episode 3 Featuring Don Asplen, CEO of Achievement House Cyber Charter SchoolEnergy
Andre Beliveau: EPA Carbon Emissions Rule in PA
EPA’s Latest Carbon Emissions Rule Is a Raw Deal for Pennsylvanians. New federal regulation would devastate Pennsylvania’s energy industry, increase electric bills, and undermine energy reliability. Topics on this page…
Media Hit
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Sr. Manager of Energy Policy André Béliveau on PCN Capitol Preview April 30, 2024
For more information on PACER & PRESS, click here. Topics on this pageAndre Beliveau…
Media Hit
Read More: Sr. Manager of Energy Policy André Béliveau on PCN Capitol Preview April 30, 2024Regulation
Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix it
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania is hemorrhaging business, jobs, and capital. Gov. Josh Shapiro admitted the problem: Pennsylvania’s excessive regulations. So, why doesn’t he do more to…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix itEducation
Voters Aren’t Buying What Shapiro Is Selling
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania As inflation persists, Pennsylvania voters are rejecting increased government spending, according to new polling data released by the Commonwealth Foundation. Inflation and the rising cost of…
Media Hit
Read More: Voters Aren’t Buying What Shapiro Is SellingEnergy
Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle on the Bobby Gunther Walsh Show April 25, 2024
Find out more at www.CommonGroundPoll.com Topics on this pageElizabeth StellePolitical communicationPublic policy…
Media Hit
Read More: Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle on the Bobby Gunther Walsh Show April 25, 2024Energy
EPA’s Latest Carbon Emissions Rule Is a Raw Deal for Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, Pa., April 26, 2024 — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unilaterally issued a final rule establishing draconian carbon dioxide emission standards, targeting coal and new natural gas power plants. The rule,…
Press Release
Read More: EPA’s Latest Carbon Emissions Rule Is a Raw Deal for PennsylvaniansEducation
Don’t ignore the destructive ideas coming out of Harrisburg
Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s a presidential election year, with voters riveted on national politics and issues. Inflation — caused by federal deficit spending — and immigration consistently…
Media Hit
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Charles Mitchell | On Offense in Pennsylvania
Charles Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Commonwealth Foundation. Charles grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs in a family of railroaders, teachers, and small…
Media Hit
Read More: Charles Mitchell | On Offense in PennsylvaniaEducation
Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal A lot of bad plans on how to make higher education affordable exist. There is Gov. Josh Shapiro’s vague “blueprint,” which lacks…
Media Hit
Read More: Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction