Headshot

Robert O’Donnell

Education Senior Fellow

The Honorable Robert W. O’Donnell is an Education Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation.

Bob is a Philadelphia-based attorney and a former Democratic Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. As a member of the House for 19 years, Bob rose through the ranks of leadership, serving as caucus chairman, majority whip, majority leader, and Speaker of the House. While in public service, he developed a reputation as a thoughtful, dynamic, and intellectually honest member of the House. He has been a consistent advocate for equality of opportunity including supporting school choice throughout his tenure in the legislature.

Bob has served as a member of Public Employees Retirement Study Commission, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the Mayor’s Tax Budget and Advisory Committee (Philadelphia), the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the General State Authority, the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force (Philadelphia), the Millrite Council, and the Philadelphia Port Corporation Board of Directors.

He is a graduate of Temple University and its law school and attended The Hague Academy of International Law. Arcadia College and Philadelphia University awarded Bod honorary degrees, and he has received several public awards including citations from the Pennsylvania League of Cities Service and Common Cause.

Bob resides in Chestnut Hill with his wife, Dr. Donna Gentile O’Donnell.

State Budget

How Big, Bad is Wolf’s Budget?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 6, 2015

The first point of contention on Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget isn’t about his tax increases, or any specific policy item, but rather over the true size of his proposals.

Media

Read More: How Big, Bad is Wolf’s Budget?

Taxes & Economy

Historic Spending and Tax Hikes Will Hurt Pennsylvanians

  • March 5, 2015

Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal expands the size of government and shrinks the size of your wallet. His 2015-2016 budget calls for a net $4.5 billion tax increase, which amounts to …

Media

Read More: Historic Spending and Tax Hikes Will Hurt Pennsylvanians

Taxes & Economy

Wolf’s Crushing $4.6 Billion Tax Increase Largest in Pa History

  • March 3, 2015

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf’s Crushing $4.6 Billion Tax Increase Largest in Pa History Middle-Class Families Foot the Bill for Massive Tax-and-Spend Plan…

Press Release

Read More: Wolf’s Crushing $4.6 Billion Tax Increase Largest in Pa History

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Wolf Authorizes New Union Money-Grab

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • March 2, 2015

On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf issued an executive order that effectively helps SEIU (Service Employees International Union) unionize home health care workers. Many of these workers are simply taking…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf Authorizes New Union Money-Grab

Education

Spending More, or Spending More Wisely?

  • James Paul
  • March 2, 2015

When you purchase a good or service—be it a cheeseburger, a pair of shoes, or a car wash—how do you evaluate its quality? Do you consider the outputs—whether the service…

Media

Read More: Spending More, or Spending More Wisely?

Taxes & Economy

Fair Share? How Pennsylvania Gas Taxes Compare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 2, 2015

Pennsylvania is the only top natural gas producing state that doesn’t tax drilling. Sound familiar? It’s a favorite argument of tax proponents, but it misses the big picture. Pennsylvania taxes…

Media

Read More: Fair Share? How Pennsylvania Gas Taxes Compare