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
Fact Check: The Costing-Out Study
Today the Governor wraps up his “Tax You More Tour” with Matt Brouillette following stride for stride. Meanwhile, we’re debunking another spending myth: The Costing-Out Study…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: The Costing-Out StudyEducation
Voters Want More School Funding – Until They Get the Facts
For followers of the Rendell “Tax You More Bus Tour” and the debate on education funding, I would recommend checking out this analysis from Education Next: The…
Media
Read More: Voters Want More School Funding – Until They Get the FactsEducation
Public Schools’ Edifice Complex
John Micek and I (@NathanBenefield) had a little discussion via Twitter over the cost of public school buildings. John wonders what is wrong with having nice school…
Media
Read More: Public Schools’ Edifice Complex
In What World is a 15.9% Increase Called a Decrease?
Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette continues to follow Gov. Ed Rendell’s taxpayer-funded bus campaign today. The Administration’s “Tax You More Bus Tour” will make a…
Press Release
Read More: In What World is a 15.9% Increase Called a Decrease?Education
Fact Check: School Choice Saves
As the “Tax You More” lobbying tour continues its journey Matt Brouillette continues to offer the real facts on state education spending. Today’s education fact focusing on how…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: School Choice SavesState Budget
Gov. Rendell Calls the Kettle Black
The Sun-Gazette has a recent article on the Pennsylvania state budget titled “Rendell lashes out at Senate plan”. It didn’t sound like something that would surprise me – but…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Calls the Kettle BlackHealth Care
Warmed-Over RendellCare Includes a New Tax on Health Insurance
The Pennsylvania State House has been debating HB 1, which would expand the state’s Adult Basic program, to make more individuals eligible for government health care. The Commonwealth Foundation…
Media
Read More: Warmed-Over RendellCare Includes a New Tax on Health InsuranceEducation
In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?
Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette continues to follow Gov. Ed Rendell’s taxpayer-funded bus campaign into the northeastern part of the state today. Today’s “Tax You…
Press Release
Read More: In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?Education
Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education Spending
Today the Pennsylvania Department of Education is on day 3 of their “Tax You More” bus tour. While the administration continues their taxpayer funded lobbying effort, Commonwealth Foundation President…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education SpendingState Budget
Do PA Democrats Really Want Higher Taxes? Probably Not.
While Gov. Rendell and House Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans are talking up a potential increase in Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax, some of the rank and file Democrats are…
Media
Read More: Do PA Democrats Really Want Higher Taxes? Probably Not.Government Accountability
Two Cheers for Transparency
Good read on transparency effort in state government by Larry Reed in the latest issue of the Freeman.
Media
Read More: Two Cheers for Transparency
Blog Posts from the Taxpayer Capitol Protest
Here is a brief roundup of some blog posts from today’s taxpayer protest from the Pennsylvania state capitol…
Media
Read More: Blog Posts from the Taxpayer Capitol ProtestEducation
Fact Check: PA Cannot Spend Its Way to Educational Success
Today the Pennsylvania Department of Education begins day 2 of their “Tax You More” bus tour. Education officials continue to call for more spending when in…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: PA Cannot Spend Its Way to Educational SuccessTaxes & Economy
Cap and Trade: An Energy Tax
Pretty good video from American Solutions on Cap and Trade. They also have a place on their site to take action.
Media
Read More: Cap and Trade: An Energy TaxEducation
Bob Casey Still Needs to Read the Stimulus Bill
Sen. Bob Casey – in remarks designed to counter the facts laid out by the Commonwealth Foundation, namely that Pennsylvania school districts will get a dramatic increase in…
Media
Read More: Bob Casey Still Needs to Read the Stimulus BillRegulation
Why Corporate Welfare Fails
Tad Dehaven has a worthwhile read on the Cato Institute's blog about why state corporate welfare subsidies make good politics, but bad economics: Instead of competing with…
Media
Read More: Why Corporate Welfare FailsEducation
Bonus Fact Check: Government Preschool
One point that has been raised during the Rendell administration’s taxpayer funding lobbying campaign for higher taxes was the benefits of the Pre-K Counts programs. On this, we…
Media
Read More: Bonus Fact Check: Government PreschoolEducation
Brouillette to Counter Rendell’s “Tax You More” Bus Tour
Harrisburg, PA — Gov. Rendell’s week-long, state-wide bus tour to scare and mislead Pennsylvanians into thinking they pay too little in taxes and don’t spend enough on public education will…
Press Release
Read More: Brouillette to Counter Rendell’s “Tax You More” Bus TourEducation
Fact Check: K-12 Education Support Increase Under SB 850
While the Rendell administration is burning your tax dollars funding a bus tour across Pennsylvania to ask for more education spending (and the higher taxes needed to pay for…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: K-12 Education Support Increase Under SB 850Regulation
Big Ideas for Pennsylvania
The Patriot News has a series of “Big Ideas for Pennsylvania”, including a couple we have championed – privatizing the state-owned liquor stores and reforming the state…
Media
Read More: Big Ideas for PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Reading Eagle writer Mary Young opines that, in the state budget debate, both sides should simply get along. She advocates basically splitting the difference between the Senate’s $27.3…
Media
Read More: Can’t We All Just Get Along?