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.

Health Care

Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 22, 2014

Back in 2012, many laughed at the idea of challenging Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates by arguing that the law as written allows subsidies for insurance in state exchanges only.

Media

Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

Health Care

Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

  • July 22, 2014

Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 Individual & Employer Mandates Called into Question in 36 States Pennsylvanians May No Longer Qualify for Subsidies on Obamacare Exchange Good afternoon, Today, the…

Press Release

Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

Regulation

Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 22, 2014

For the third time in two years, a major bond rating agency gave Pennsylvania a downgrade. The most recent downgrade, courtesy of Moody’s, has real implications for taxpayers. Moody’s…

Media

Read More: Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers

Regulation

Latest Credit Downgrade Hits One-Time Revenues and Pension Inaction

  • July 21, 2014

Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 PA’s ‘Growing Structural Imbalance’ Cited in New Credit Downgrade One-Time Revenue Sources and Unfunded Pension Liabilities the Cause Good afternoon, Today, credit rating…

Press Release

Read More: Latest Credit Downgrade Hits One-Time Revenues and Pension Inaction

Public Union Democracy

Sherlock Investigates: Politics on the Public Dime

  • July 18, 2014

On Tuesday, former House Speakers Bill DeWeese and John Perzel were issued public demerits in the form of gold plaques hung beneath their Capitol portraits. That same day, a…

Media

Read More: Sherlock Investigates: Politics on the Public Dime

Education

Is There a Pension Crisis?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 18, 2014

PolicyBlog readers will be well-familiar with the fact that Pennsyvlania state funding for public schools is at a record high.  So why do government union leaders and some…

Media

Read More: Is There a Pension Crisis?

Regulation

Budget Shields Taxpayers, but Challenges Remain

  • July 17, 2014

A contentious budget season has officially ended after Governor Corbett signed a $29 billion appropriations bill into law. But is it fiscally responsible? And what’s holding up reforms on the…

Commentary

Read More: Budget Shields Taxpayers, but Challenges Remain

Education

Will Higher Taxes and Funding Save Students?

  • July 16, 2014

Philadelphia is in the midst of a crisis. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 80 percent of 4th and 8th grade students did not reach proficiency in math and…

Media

Read More: Will Higher Taxes and Funding Save Students?

Education

Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship Program

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 15, 2014

James Cromartie is a 7th grader at the School of Church Farm in Exton, Pa. His mom, Lynne, is grateful for the school’s challenging academics, art, music and athletic programs.

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Teachers Unions Putting More Dues Money into Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 15, 2014

While union leadership continues to repeat the myth that union dues cannot be used for politics, the latest newsletter from the Pennsylvania State Education Assocation again reveals, in small…

Media

Read More: Teachers Unions Putting More Dues Money into Politics

Regulation

Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle

  • July 14, 2014

On Friday, CF President Matt Brouillette joined The David Madeira Show to talk about Pennsylvania’s looming $50 billion public pension crisis and the biggest obstacles to reform: government union leaders.

Media

Read More: Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle