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.

Regulation

Audio: Is There Really a Public Pension Crisis?

  • September 29, 2014

Short answer: Yes! But some—like government union leaders—deny that anything needs to be done or that there’s a crisis at all. The truth is, the consequences of inaction…

Media

Read More: Audio: Is There Really a Public Pension Crisis?

Education

Charter Schools Promote Segregation? Not So!

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2014

My letter to the editor in the Lehigh Valley Express Times refutes a claim that charter schools are promoting racial segregation: A recent article cites claims by…

Media

Read More: Charter Schools Promote Segregation? Not So!

State Budget

PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 24, 2014

Every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania owes just over $10,000 in state and local debt. Today, the state House made another positive step towards reducing that debt burden.

Media

Read More: PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt

Health Care

Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2014

Montana’s Rib and Chop House in the Pittsburgh area is taking an innovative approach to providing health care coverage to employees, in spite of Obamacare. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports…

Media

Read More: Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches

State Budget

Audio: Taxpayer Protection Act Responsibly Limits Spending

  • September 22, 2014

Last week, legislation moved out of the Senate Finance Committee that would set guardrails on state government spending, establish a “Rainy Day Fund,” and, potentially, even send rebate checks back…

Media

Read More: Audio: Taxpayer Protection Act Responsibly Limits Spending

Education

Teachers Sue PSEA in Landmark Case

  • Priya Brannick
  • September 19, 2014

Jane Ladley was a special education teacher in Chester County for more than 25 years until she retired this year. She may have left teaching, but she has a bone…

Media

Read More: Teachers Sue PSEA in Landmark Case

Taxes & Economy

Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 18, 2014

Good news: Pennsylvania will no longer spend 40 percent of the general fund budget on public welfare. Instead, we’ll spend it on “human services.” Yesterday, the general assembly approved HB…

Media

Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed

State Budget

Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is Needed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 16, 2014

We at the Commonwealth Foundation are pleased to welcome State Treasurer Rob McCord to the fight for fiscal restraint. McCord, along with Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, held a press conference…

Media

Read More: Treasurer Finally Accepts that Fiscal Restraint is Needed

State Budget

Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families

  • September 16, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families Stimulates Job Growth and Provides Rebates for Working Families September 16, 2014, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today,…

Press Release

Read More: Taxpayer Protection Act Shields Working Families

Education

Overcoming the Philadelphia School Crisis

  • James Paul
  • September 16, 2014

Think there's a problem with Philadelphia's schools? You're not alone. More than half of Philadelphia voters said their schools deserved a D or an F grade in a poll released…

Commentary

Read More: Overcoming the Philadelphia School Crisis

Public Union Democracy

Employees Lose Under PA’s Public Pension Systems

  • Gordon Tomb
  • September 16, 2014

Most workers are shortchanged by Pennsylvania’s public employee pension programs, according to two recent studies. The Urban Institute gives Pennsylvania’s State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) an “F”…

Media

Read More: Employees Lose Under PA’s Public Pension Systems

State Budget

The Taxpayer Protection Act

  • September 16, 2014

Due to 40 years of government overspending, state and local taxes now cost Pennsylvanians $4,374 per person, equaling 10.3% of resident’s total income. Pennsylvania currently has the 10th highest state and…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act