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

A Fair Funding Formula: School Choice

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 12, 2014

Although it doesn’t fit the popular narrative of cash-starved school districts, spending on education is at an all-time high. The Pennsylvania Department of Education budget reached $11.2 billion in FY…

Media

Read More: A Fair Funding Formula: School Choice

Public Union Democracy

The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax Hike

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 11, 2014

In 2012, Americans paid more in taxes than they did for food, clothing and shelter combined. In Pennsylvania, residents labor under the 10th highest tax burden in the…

Media

Read More: The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax Hike

Education

Students Win over Seniority Laws

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 11, 2014

Big news out of California, where a state judge struck down that state’s teacher seniority and tenure laws. The lawsuit was filed by 9 students who believed that…

Media

Read More: Students Win over Seniority Laws

Public Union Democracy

For Union Leaders, the Law Doesn’t Apply

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 11, 2014

Pennsylvania's government union executives should be at the top of any list of political power players in Harrisburg. With the kind of influence that millions in campaign contributions and political…

Commentary

Read More: For Union Leaders, the Law Doesn’t Apply

Health Care

My Obamacare Agony

  • Priya Brannick
  • June 10, 2014

I thought I was lucky. The last day to sign up for Obamacare had arrived, and I’d managed to purchase a plan on the national Obamacare exchange. I was just…

Commentary

Read More: My Obamacare Agony

Education

An Inconvenient Truth: School Spending & Revenue at All-Time Highs

  • June 10, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Contrary to Cries of Desperation, District Revenue & Spending are at All-Time Highs Spending on Salaries Dwarfed by Pension Costs…

Press Release

Read More: An Inconvenient Truth: School Spending & Revenue at All-Time Highs

Public Union Democracy

CF, Teachers & Taxpayers Speak Up for Paycheck Protection

  • June 6, 2014

CF President Matt Brouillette, Keith Williams and Kristi Lacroix—two public school teachers—along with a host of good government and business groups testified yesterday before a House committee in favor of…

Media

Read More: CF, Teachers & Taxpayers Speak Up for Paycheck Protection

Public Union Democracy

Union Leaders Lie to Lawmakers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 6, 2014

While public school teachers, taxpayer advocates and business leaders supporting paycheck protection answered pointed questions yesterday from lawmakers, government union executives refused to attend the House…

Media

Read More: Union Leaders Lie to Lawmakers

Public Union Democracy

Union Executives Refuse to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions

  • June 6, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-6971-1901  Union Executives Refuse to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions Provides Deceptive Testimony June 6, 2014, Philadelphia, Pa – While public…

Press Release

Read More: Union Executives Refuse to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions

Public Union Democracy

Paycheck Protection Hits the Airwaves

  • June 5, 2014

What would you do if the government spent your tax dollars to promote politics you disagreed with? In Pennsylvania, that’s exactly what’s happening, and it is the subject of our…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection Hits the Airwaves

Public Union Democracy

Paycheck Protection Supporters Rally at the Capitol

  • June 5, 2014

Yesterday, hundreds of concerned citizens packed the Capitol rotunda to voice their support for paycheck protection legislation. Watch TV reports from ABC27 and CBS21 to see the impressive…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection Supporters Rally at the Capitol

Public Union Democracy

The Case for Paycheck Protection

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 5, 2014

Thank you Chairman Metcalfe and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify on the policy question of whether or not Pennsylvania should continue to allow one special interest…

Testimony

Read More: The Case for Paycheck Protection