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
Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Charles Mitchell on the Dawn Stensland Show July 11, 2023
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School Choice Report, Episode 8
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Guy Ciarrocchi talks Gov. Shapiro’s Lifeline Scholarship Flip-Flop on the Chris Stigall Radio Show
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A Good Education Isn’t a Perk. It’s a Lifeline.
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Josh Shapiro Chooses Teachers Unions Over Students
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Governor Shapiro bungles budget, leaves state uncertain and kids trapped in failing schools
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Commonwealth Foundation Chairman & CEO Charles Mitchell on the Dom Giordano Show July 6, 2023
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Why are some Democrats holding kids hostage in failing schools? For more money
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Redirect education funding
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Pa. Sen. Tony Williams Delivers Impassioned Speech Supporting Lifeline Scholarships
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65 Organizations, Individuals Call for Enactment of Lifeline Scholarships
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Pennsylvania: School Choice Proponents Poised to Extend Lifeline Scholarships to Students
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School Choice Report, Episode 7
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Commonwealth Foundation Survey Provides Voter Insights as Legislature Wraps Up Budget
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Lifeline Scholarship Program
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By keeping his promises, Shapiro can help Pennsylvania lead the nation
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Educational choice is on the rise, and the data supports it
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Gov. Shapiro Reaffirms Support for School Choice, Lifeline Scholarships
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