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.

Education

Audio: Could Charter Conversion be in York City’s Future?

  • December 10, 2014

York City School District—financially distressed and second-to-last in the state in student achievement—may be in for some much-needed change in the coming weeks. After two years of…

Media

Read More: Audio: Could Charter Conversion be in York City’s Future?

They’re Complaining Because We’re Convincing

  • Charles Mitchell
  • December 9, 2014

This morning’s Harrisburg Patriot-News includes an item that gives unfortunate credence to tired and lame allegations made by critics who are upset with CF’s effectiveness about our research…

Media

Read More: They’re Complaining Because We’re Convincing

Education

More Choice on the way to Philadelphia?

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

Tens of thousands of Philadelphia students languishing on charter waiting lists have reason to hope. For the first time in seven years, the School…

Media

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Education

Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…

Commentary

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State Budget

Spending Restraint, Reform Needed to Balance Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 5, 2014

With an estimated $2 billion “planning deficit” announced this week, one might believe crafting a balanced budget that doesn’t raise taxes is impossible. Yet earlier this year, we…

Media

Read More: Spending Restraint, Reform Needed to Balance Budget

Education

School Funding Reform & Weighted Student Funding

  • James Paul, Nathan Benefield
  • December 4, 2014

Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony to this commission on the important topic of reforming how we distribute state funding for education. Our written testimony will focus on…

Testimony

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Education

In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts

  • December 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts Current System Favors Shrinking Districts at Growing Districts' Expense December 4,…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

PA Ranks 27th in Economic Freedom, Lawmakers Can Make a Difference

  • December 3, 2014

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 PA Ranks a Mediocre 27th in Economic Freedom, Lawmakers Can Make a Difference New Report Shows Expanding Economic Freedom Could Boost Incomes by Thousands…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Economic Freedom Key to a Prosperous Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 2, 2014

Pennsylvania is the 27th freest state in America according to the Fraser Institute’s annual Economic Freedom of North America report, which is hardly news to be celebrating. States were…

Media

Read More: Economic Freedom Key to a Prosperous Pennsylvania