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
Charles Mitchell: Josh Shapiro Plays to the Middle While Pleasing the Left
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New EPA Rule Is a Death Sentence for American Energy
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“Grow PA” Offers a Higher-Ed Reform Model for the Nation
Originally published at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal Too often, lawmakers want to fix higher education by blindly throwing money at the problem. From President Joe…
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Josh Shapiro plays to the middle while pleasing the left
Originally published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Perhaps you’ve heard: Our governor is a moderate president-in-the-making. Josh Shapiro is leaning into this image as the state legislature negotiates next year’s budget,…
Media Hit
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Pa. Senate’s Passage of ‘Grow PA’ a Huge Victory for Higher Education Reform
Harrisburg, Pa., June 12, 2024 — The Pennsylvania Senate, on Tuesday, passed the landmark higher education reform plan “Grow PA,” demonstrating their steadfast commitment to supporting post-secondary opportunities and career pathways…
Press Release
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Pa. schools don’t need more money, students need alternatives
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette School districts know how to add, but not Pennsylvania students. Statewide scores show declining student outcomes despite historic public education spending. Pennsylvania school…
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Democrats Want to Cut Funding for PA Special Needs Students
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House Democrats Pick Special Interest Over Kids (Again), Ignoring Real Education Solutions
Harrisburg, Pa., June 4, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee passed House Bill (HB) 2370, a bill codifying recommendations from the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) report adopted earlier this…
Press Release
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Debating Public Sector Freedom Post-Janus
In this episode, host David R. Osborne and Vice President and Legal Director of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation Bill Messenger delve into the complexities of public…
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Season 2, Episode 4 Featuring Professor Robert Strauss
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Hardy: Harrisburg Dems. Should Push Past Partisanship and Approve Lifeline Scholarships
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Press Release
Read More: Hardy: Harrisburg Dems. Should Push Past Partisanship and Approve Lifeline ScholarshipsHealth Care
Petty politics and bad regulations hinder telemedicine
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Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
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Pa. Senate’s Proposed Tax Cuts Would Save Families $900 Per Year
Harrisburg, Pa., May 29, 2024 — Senate Bill (SB) 269 would slash taxes across Pennsylvania and save the average family of four $400 in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 and $900 in…
Press Release
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Harrisburg Democrats should push past partisanship and approve Lifeline Scholarships
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer It takes guts to do what State Sen. Anthony H. Williams did. During a recent state Senate Education Committee meeting, Williams delivered a…
Media Hit
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Proposed Tax Cuts and the 2024 State Budget
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Fact Sheet
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New Yorkers are Moving to Florida—and Government Unions are to Blame
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Pennsylvania’s Senate has answered Gov. Shapiro’s challenge
Originally published at The Patriot-News Following his budget address in February, Gov. Josh Shapiro challenged critics, saying, “If you don’t like my plan, show me yours.” Last week,…
Media Hit
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Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Politicians celebrate taxpayer funds pouring into Pennsylvania to “bridge the digital divide.” Last month, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) praised the approval of…
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Pa. School Funding Reached $22,000 per student in 2023
Harrisburg, Pa., May 21, 2024 — Pennsylvania per-student spending increased to $21,985 in the 2022–23 school year, according to recently released data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This represents a…
Press Release
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Pa. School Funding Reaches $22,000 per Student in 2023
Pennsylvania Public School Spending Is Growing Over the last decade, state spending on Pennsylvania public schools reached all-time highs year after year. Pennsylvania per-pupil public school funding increased to $21,985…
Fact Sheet
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