Pamela Armstrong-Pautz
Vice President of Development
Pamela Armstrong-Pautz is the Vice President of Development at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Pam leads the fundraising strategy that fuels the organization’s mission to advance policy change, expand opportunities, and protect freedom for all Pennsylvanians.
Pam brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, with a record of building high-performing teams, expanding major gift and foundation support, and designing strategies that drive sustained growth.
Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, she served as Vice President of Development at Hope Rises International, formerly American Leprosy Missions, where she guided a global team through a brand transformation, launched a five-year digital fundraising strategy, and expanded donor engagement worldwide.
Previously, she served as Executive Director of the North Star Initiative, where she increased revenue sevenfold and spearheaded Central Pennsylvania’s first human-trafficking task force. She also served as CEO of the Integrity for Life Foundation, where she pioneered innovative social enterprises, including Pennsylvania’s first nonprofit grocery store.
Pam holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and also serves as a Senior Fellow with the Social Enterprise Group.
Regulation
What are the odds? Pa. gaming board running out of money
Legalized gambling, once thought to be the cash cow for property tax reform, can’t even fund it own board. See the PennLive.com NewsFlash…
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Read More: What are the odds? Pa. gaming board running out of moneyRegulation
Boeing-Sized Welfare Checks
For the past three and one-half years, the ostensible premise of Gov. Ed Rendell’s “economic stimulus” plan has been that by making “targeted investments” in politically chosen companies and industries,…
Commentary
Read More: Boeing-Sized Welfare ChecksRegulation
Steering Online Gamblers Toward State Lotteries
Jacob Sullum of the Reason Foundation wonders why some members of Congress are pushing for tougher measures banning online gambling while supporting state lotteries and casinos. The answer is…
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Read More: Steering Online Gamblers Toward State LotteriesTaxes & Economy
Cost of Government Day
Americans for Tax Reform released their Cost of Government Day Report yesterday, which was coincidently the national Cost of Government Day. This represents the day in which American earned…
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Read More: Cost of Government DayTaxes & Economy
Minimum Rationality for Minimum Wage
In an election year, legislators do irrational things, such as spend more money than the budget supports, fund pork projects for their districts, and raise the minimum wage.
Commentary
Read More: Minimum Rationality for Minimum WagePublic Union Democracy
Ending Teacher Strikes?
Rep. Will Gabig has introduced legislation to curb teacher strikes (working with Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes Inc.) Check out the Courier Times Coverage. Read Simon’s recent…
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Stocking up on tax dollars
Meadville Tribune editorial on how the state is spending the “windfall” surplus instead of returning it to taxpayers.
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Read More: Stocking up on tax dollarsGovernment Accountability
Mere Coincidence
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the six-figure government job awarded to Joseph Hoeffel – who earlier this year dropped out of the Lt. Gov. race after a meeting with Governor…
Media
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Property Tax “Reform” and Referendum
Read my letter to the editor in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Also note the conclusion reached by the Allentown Morning Call editorial on the recent property tax “relief:”…
Media
Read More: Property Tax “Reform” and ReferendumGovernment Accountability
In House, reform’s a no-starter
Brad Bumsted in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the House’s reluctance (once again) to reform itself. Topics on this page Brad BumstedPittsburgh Tribune-Review…
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Read More: In House, reform’s a no-starterTaxes & Economy
Analysis shows that school-tax reform was just a gesture from Harrisburg : The Morning Call Online
Morning Call editorial on “referendum in name only” as well as “tax reform in name only.” We only wish that more editorial boards would have listened to us…
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Read More: Analysis shows that school-tax reform was just a gesture from Harrisburg : The Morning Call OnlineState Budget
Whiskey and Car Keys
Author P.J. O’Rourke once wrote: “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” He must have been thinking about Gov. Rendell and…
Commentary
Read More: Whiskey and Car KeysRegulation
Looks like business as usual – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Dimitri Vassilaros writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about the effort to defund one of PA’s corporate welfare programs” No doubt many businesses are successful because their close relationships with…
Media
Read More: Looks like business as usual – Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewEducation
Education funding should go with child
Former PA Secretary of Education Charles Zogby writes in the Patriot-News how we OUGHT to fund education, but don’t. Zogby says: “Today, nearly 35 percent of Pennsylvania children graduate…
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Read More: Education funding should go with childTaxes & Economy
Minimum wage increase might hurt teens
“Might”? Hmmm… When the cost of something goes up, don’t we buy less? Oh, our politicians in Harrisburg are passing a law to nullify the laws of economics. Good luck…
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Read More: Minimum wage increase might hurt teensRegulation
Stop the charade
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on Sen. Jane Orie’s effort to cut some corporate welfare in PA. Topics on this page Jane OriePennsylvaniaPittsburgh Tribune-Review…
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Read More: Stop the charadeRegulation
Senate acts to cut back a few perks
As reported in the Patriot News, the state Senate plans to force Senators to contribute to their health care plans (possibly 1% of salary) and reduce the money available…
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Read More: Senate acts to cut back a few perksState Budget
Governor Rendell’s Sense of Irony
On the anniversary of the 2005 pay raise, Governor Rendell will be handing out pork in the Capitol … non-metaphorical pork in this case. From News Release: HARRISBURG…
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Read More: Governor Rendell’s Sense of IronyRegulation
Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.
Despite not having time to address lobbyist reform during the past few weeks, the General Assembly was able to pass a myriad of minor bills, including one (SB 707)…
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Read More: Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.Taxes & Economy
Wal-Mart Tax Fizzle
Wall Street Journal article on how the “Wal-Mart tax” push is failing in almost every state. Read our analysis of why the Wal-Mart tax is bad for Pennsylvania…
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Read More: Wal-Mart Tax FizzleState Budget
Budget Coverage
Some press coverage of the late night/early morning state budget deal: Herald Standard (Commonwealth Foundation quoted)Pittsburgh TribPost Gazette (Commonwealth Foundation quoted)Philadelphia Inquirer (Commonwealth…
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