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.
Energy
New Report: Shapiro’s ‘Get Sh*t Done’ Slogan Doesn’t Match His Record
Gov. Josh Shapiro remains Pennsylvania’s least legislatively productive governor in the past 50 years. Harrisburg, Pa., November 10, 2025 — As presidential ambitions of Pennsylvania’s 48th governor become increasingly…
Press Release
Read More: New Report: Shapiro’s ‘Get Sh*t Done’ Slogan Doesn’t Match His RecordEducation
Josh Shapiro: Least Productive Pennsylvania Governor in at Least 50 Years
Summary Nearly three years in office, a Commonwealth Foundation analysis finds Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first term is the least productive of any Pennsylvania gubernatorial term in at least 50 years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Josh Shapiro: Least Productive Pennsylvania Governor in at Least 50 YearsState Budget
Sen. Fetterman Shows Gov. Shapiro What Bipartisan Leadership Looks Like
Originally published by LNP Online. Unfortunately for the people of the commonwealth, Gov. Josh Shapiro has openly embraced government shutdowns—both in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg. Not…
Media Hit
Read More: Sen. Fetterman Shows Gov. Shapiro What Bipartisan Leadership Looks LikeEducation
“Groundbreaking Academic Improvements” in Philly Schools? Hardly!
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Imagine a hospital with a 17% survival rate. Would you be willing to listen to the hospital’s CEO brag about…
Media Hit
Read More: “Groundbreaking Academic Improvements” in Philly Schools? Hardly!Education
Low-Achieving and Violent Public Schools in Pennsylvania
Overview Students attending low-achieving public schools experience violence at nearly twice the rate of students attending higher-achieving schools and are more likely to experience violence involving a weapon.
Fact Sheet
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Education Tax Credits Are a Lifeline for Low-Income Families
Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Imani Christian Academy in Pittsburgh isn’t just a school. It’s a sanctuary of hope and safety, a place that nurtures dreams…
Media Hit
Read More: Education Tax Credits Are a Lifeline for Low-Income FamiliesRegulation
Shapiro’s Policies Will Sink PA’s Economic Progress
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. A recent Politico article highlights a New Jersey candidate touting Pennsylvania as a better model for the Garden State. Meanwhile, a left-leaning economist’s …
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s Policies Will Sink PA’s Economic ProgressState Budget
Pennsylvania Senate Passes Budget Plan, RGGI Abrogation, Regulatory Reform
Harrisburg, Pa., October 22, 2025 — This week, the Pennsylvania Senate advanced legislation, including a spending bill (Senate Bill 160), that protects taxpayers and fosters economic growth. The commonwealth remains the…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Senate Passes Budget Plan, RGGI Abrogation, Regulatory ReformState Budget
New Statewide Ad Calls Out Governor Shapiro For Budget Impasse
Harrisburg, Pa., October 19, 2025 — The Commonwealth Foundation has launched a new statewide ad calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro to end the state budget impasse by getting to work…
Press Release
Read More: New Statewide Ad Calls Out Governor Shapiro For Budget ImpasseEnergy
Josh Shapiro’s Destructive Energy Policies Spill Across the Border
Orginally published by National Review. The New Jersey gubernatorial race has been electric—really. Soaring electricity costs have become the focal point of the race between the…
Media Hit
Read More: Josh Shapiro’s Destructive Energy Policies Spill Across the BorderEducation
Students Trapped in Violent Schools Need an Escape
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. Violence terrorized students at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh. A student armed with a knife stabbed three other students—two of them…
Media Hit
Read More: Students Trapped in Violent Schools Need an EscapeEnergy
Shapiro’s Energy “Blame Game” is Costing Pennsylvanians
Originally published by the Pottstown-Mercury. Pennsylvanians are tired of excuses, especially when it comes to rising energy costs. They open their electric bills, see the numbers…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s Energy “Blame Game” is Costing PennsylvaniansEnergy
Has Governor Shapiro Reformed Permitting? Business Leaders Say, ‘No.’
Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. On Aug. 12, 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro introduced the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program,…
Media Hit
Read More: Has Governor Shapiro Reformed Permitting? Business Leaders Say, ‘No.’State Budget
Day 100 of State Budget Impasse
On Hundredth Day of the Shapiro Shutdown, PA Democrats Push Spending & Tax Hikes Harrisburg, Pa., October 8, 2025 — Day 100 of the state budget shutdown brought…
Press Release
Read More: Day 100 of State Budget ImpasseState Budget
Shapiro Failed to Protect PA from Budget Stalemates
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. The people of Pennsylvania are now enduring a “double whammy”—a state budget that is more than three months past due, plus a…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Failed to Protect PA from Budget StalematesEducation
Philadelphia’s Educational Double Standard
Originally published by The Philadelphia Citizen. The Philadelphia Board of Education has had enough with abysmal academic records—sort of. The school board recently voted not…
Media Hit
Read More: Philadelphia’s Educational Double StandardState Budget
Hours Away from Federal Government Shutdown, Pennsylvania Remains Vulnerable
Harrisburg, Pa., September 30, 2025 — A federal government shutdown is set to begin at midnight, barring a last-minute deal. For Pennsylvania residents, the commonwealth remains in a dangerously precarious position, with…
Press Release
Read More: Hours Away from Federal Government Shutdown, Pennsylvania Remains Vulnerable
Dangerous Schools and the Democratic Governors Who Ignore Them
Originally published by The American Spectator. Blue-state governors are on high alert these days, fearing that President Donald Trump will send federal troops to address the…
Media Hit
Read More: Dangerous Schools and the Democratic Governors Who Ignore ThemGovernment Accountability
Gov. Shapiro’s Call for Civility Rings Hollow Amid His Own Partisan Attacks
Originally published by PennLive. Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro offered remarks to a conference, condemning all forms of political violence—everything from the…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s Call for Civility Rings Hollow Amid His Own Partisan AttacksRegulation
Installing Broadband is Expensive—and L&I Isn’t Helping
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania needs more broadband. Connecting underserved communities to affordable, high-speed internet will help rural communities prosper. Unfortunately, one misguided Pennsylvania policy makes the process needlessly expensive…
Media Hit
Read More: Installing Broadband is Expensive—and L&I Isn’t HelpingState Budget
Governor Shapiro is Doing Everything but Governing
Originally published by The Pottstown-Mercury. Gov. Josh Shapiro is the only governor in America operating without an enacted or temporary state budget. But you wouldn’t know it from his recent…
Media Hit
Read More: Governor Shapiro is Doing Everything but Governing