Nicole Gabriel
Executive Assistant
Nicole Gabriel is the Executive Assistant at the Commonwealth Foundation, based in the Harrisburg office. She enjoys keeping the office running smoothly, solving problems with initiative, and helping build a workplace where everyone feels connected and included.
Previously, Nicole worked in administrative support at M&T Bank and taught primary school in Vietnam for several years. Her years living abroad taught her to think on her feet, embrace new challenges, and remain resourceful. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University.
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys volunteering in the community, traveling to new and adventurous places, and exploring different cuisines. A passionate traveler, she has visited 15 countries and loves learning about new cultures along the way.
$2 million spent by PHEAA on giveaways
Jan Murphy of the Patriot News exposes more PHEAA expenses – including “giveaways” such as golf balls, LL Bean Jackets, and T-Shirts bearing the PHEAA logo, I-Pods and DVD…
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Convert state pensions to defined contribution
Senator Pat Browne has an op-ed in The Morning Call on the need to reform our public pension systems and the legislation he will be sponsoring in the…
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Beyond Those Health Care Numbers
Greg Mankiw in the New York Times on the misuse of health care statistics – life expectancy, “47 million uninsured,” and costs of health care. Topics on this…
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Scarnati submits op-ed by Turnpike Commission
Frothing at the mouth, President Pro-Tem Joe Scarnati cites the “evil foreign company” argument as to why he won’t allow consideration of a Turnpike lease (even though several…
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Last Chance to Learn About Judges
Here are surveys/info about the judges up for election and retention: Democracy Rising Judicial SurveyPennsylvania Family Institute Voters’ Guide PA League of Women’s Voters Voters’…
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Stadiums and Subsidies: Home Run for Wealthy Team Owners, Strike-out for Taxpayers
National Taxpayers Union has put out a new analysis of taxpayer subsidized professional sports studiums.
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Why we blog
Nicholas Carr thinks Greg Mankiw should stop blogging. His rationale is the economic concept of “comparative advantage” – that is, Greg Mankiw is a brilliant economist and should…
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For-Profit Philly Schools show math gains
A new study finds that for-profit school management led to math test score gains in Philadelphia (News Release and AP Story): “The impact of for-profit…
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More on Free Markets v. Socialized Medicine
In response to the criticisms of cancer survival statistics used in a Giuliani ad, David Grazter has defended his statistic and provides additional data about survival rates…
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Peterson Calls on Turnpike Commission to Pull False, Toll-Funded Ads
Congressman Peterson calls on the Turnpike Commission to stop buying ads using toll revenue, that he calls a “misleading, disingenuous toll-paid media campaign, promoting the tolling of Interstate 80”.
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Another Great Milton Friedman Video
In this 30 minute video, Friedman explains why he is a “liberal,” not a “conservative; what is wrong with minimum wage laws (and why they are used to discriminate);…
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Audit: Management of Pa. business grants was lax
More criticism of the lack of monitoring, accountability, and compliance with laws in the state’s corporate welfare programs, this time from the Auditor’s office. Click here for the AP…
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Open Records Bills Updates
Jamie Blaine at PassOpenRecords.org on the House and Senate open records bills. UPDATE: Details of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition (PaFOIC) and PA Newspaper Association Forum…
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Government Health Insurance Kills
Somebody needs to fact check FactCheck, like me. The group FactCheck.org issued a “fact check” on an ad by Rudy Giuliani comparing health care in the UK and…
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Great Milton Friedman Video
In 2 minutes, Milton Friedman explains the errors of socialism, the benefits of free markets, and public choice theory, all while making Donahue look silly. HT: The…
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Pension Resources
As you may have heard, Rep Scott Boyd introduced a pension reform bill (News Release) – based on some of our recommendations and research. More information and resources: Rep…
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Public Pension Reform Introduced
Commonwealth Foundation applauds legislation to enroll new public employees in more predictable, affordable “Defined-Contribution” pension plan HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation joined Rep. Scott Boyd (R-Lampeter), Sen. Pat Browne…
Press Release
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Which schools are “Dropout Factories”?
ABC 27 Harrisburg, ABC 6 Philadelphia, Carlisle Sentinel, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Philadelphia Daily News and others have all had stories about “Dropout Factories” – i.e. schools…
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Critics say open records bill not open enough
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the Senate open records bill and its many weaknesses, in light of improvements we support: Common Cause/Pennsylvania Executive Director Barry Kauffman called the…
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No I-80 Tolls = Less money for SEPTA
The Turnpike Commission posted a summary of Lease and Funding agreement for tolling I-80. Not too much new here except for one major inconsistency … $300 million shall be…
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Big Government draws Lobbyist Gifts
In another exposé of how Harrisburg works, Peter Jackson of the AP looks at the lobbyist spending and gift-giving. Why all the money ? Health care lobbyists want to…
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