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

Ignoring Pension Costs Won’t Work

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 13, 2014

We’ve mentioned before the big lie of “$1 billion cut from education.”  Part of the reason that lie continues is that union executives ignore a big chunk of education…

Media

Read More: Ignoring Pension Costs Won’t Work

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Union Executives Ignore Law, Harm Workers & Taxpayers

  • May 13, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Gov. Union Executives Ignore Law, Harm Workers and Taxpayers Play Fast and Loose With Members’ Money, Fail to Register as…

Press Release

Read More: Gov. Union Executives Ignore Law, Harm Workers & Taxpayers

Public Union Democracy

Top 5 Reasons We Need a Paycheck Protection Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 12, 2014

Occasionally I get asked why we need a state law preventing taxpayer resources from being used to collect union political money (“paycheck protection“), when local government can choose to…

Media

Read More: Top 5 Reasons We Need a Paycheck Protection Law

Health Care

A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 9, 2014

Pennsylvania is facing an estimated $1.2 billion deficit next fiscal year. To bring the budget into balance without tax increases or borrowing, spending reforms must be implemented. In our…

Media

Read More: A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare Reform

Education

School Spending is the Issue

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 9, 2014

My letter to the editor in yesterday’s York Daily Record addresses some inaccuracies about education spending in Pennsylvania. Your editorial on education funding (“Funding formula a good…

Media

Read More: School Spending is the Issue

Education

Fewer Districts Seek Big Property Tax Hikes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 8, 2014

Government union leaders like to claim mythical state education funding cuts caused widespread school property tax increases. But new data shows fewer school districts are actually receiving exceptions…

Media

Read More: Fewer Districts Seek Big Property Tax Hikes

Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage Backers Leave Young Minorities Behind

  • May 8, 2014

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Minimum Wage Backers Leave Young Minorities Behind Wage mandates push black youth out of the job market Today, Big Labor-backed groups will rally to…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Dangers of a Severance Tax

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 7, 2014

Given the fiscal challenges facing the state, many advocacy groups are calling for new taxes on natural gas. However, lawmakers should be aware that a severance tax will make Pennsylvania…

Memo

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State Budget

A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

  • May 6, 2014

We have been warned: Pennsylvania is on a path to higher taxes, fewer jobs, more debt, and a lower standard of living if the state does not rein in…

Media

Read More: A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania