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.
Public Union Democracy
Study: Labor reforms save taxpayers billions and spark economic growth
Feb. 24, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — A new Commonwealth Foundation report examines the impact Wisconsin’s Act 10 has had on balancing budgets, stimulating the economy, and enacting school choice legislation.
Press Release
Read More: Study: Labor reforms save taxpayers billions and spark economic growthPublic Union Democracy
Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union Reform
Key Findings Government unions have enormous political power in Pennsylvania, due to a host of special legal privileges granted in state law.Government union executives use this power to trap government…
Report
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union ReformEducation
Taxpayer-funded lobbyists block K-12 education reform
Originally published Broad + Liberty Pennsylvania parents who support school choice initiatives are financially supporting lobbying organizations that do not. That’s because their tax dollars provide school districts with…
Media Hit
Read More: Taxpayer-funded lobbyists block K-12 education reformTaxes & Economy
Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano on Newsmax
Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano discusses the economic effect of rising gas prices in February. Topics on this pageNewsmax TV…
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano on NewsmaxState Budget
A real budget can bring prosperity to Pennsylvania
Originally published in The Patriot-News In in his annual budget address last week, Gov. Tom Wolf patted himself on the back for his management of the state’s finances. He…
Media Hit
Read More: A real budget can bring prosperity to PennsylvaniaEnergy
Wolf’s RGGI fixation will slow Pennsylvania’s recovery
Originally published at City & State Gov. Tom Wolf’s timing for imposing a new energy tax could hardly be worse. Pennsylvania’s economy is trying to recover from the pandemic’s…
Media Hit
Read More: Wolf’s RGGI fixation will slow Pennsylvania’s recoveryEducation
Exposing the truth about education funding
Originally posted at LancasterOnline Does more money improve student performance in our public schools? This question is at the heart of many policy debates in Harrisburg and is central…
Media Hit
Read More: Exposing the truth about education fundingEducation
Opportunity Unleashed
Key Points In June 2019, Pennsylvania’s General Assembly expanded the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs by a combined $30 million. In the 2019-20…
Backgrounder
Read More: Opportunity UnleashedPublic Union Democracy
Reforms would reduce corruption and restore workers’ rights
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review In Harrisburg, lawmakers are building momentum for a series of reforms that will empower public sector workers and defend taxpayers. The House Labor…
Media Hit
Read More: Reforms would reduce corruption and restore workers’ rightsTaxes & Economy
Jennifer Stefano on Wake Up America on Newsmax
Commonwealth Foundation’s Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano joins Newsmax to discuss the state of the American economy.SHOW MORE Topics on this pageNewsmaxPresident of the United States…
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Read More: Jennifer Stefano on Wake Up America on Newsmax
Jennifer Stefano on Fox Business
Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano discusses the Canadian “Freedom Convoy” on Fox Business. Topics on this pageCanadaFox Business…
Media Hit
Read More: Jennifer Stefano on Fox BusinessEducation
Education Opportunity Accounts in Practice
Key Points Education Opportunity Accounts (EOAs) are transformative, flexible-use accounts funded by state tax dollars.Program Administration: The Pennsylvania Treasury is the ideal administrator at the state level and may contract…
Backgrounder
Read More: Education Opportunity Accounts in PracticeState Budget
Five Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s Budget
February 8, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — In his final budget address Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed an unaffordable spending increase while claiming the mantle of fiscal responsibility. Commonwealth Foundation Senior…
Press Release
Read More: Five Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s BudgetRegulation
Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Power Plant Closures Would Cause Real Harm for Illusory Environmental Gains
Originally published at The Daily Signal Visible from western Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountain ridges are coal-fired power plant— and their plumes of water vapor—that have been integral to much of…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Power Plant Closures Would Cause Real Harm for Illusory Environmental GainsTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Population Problems
The Problem New data[1] from the United States Census Bureau shows Pennsylvania’s population problems remain: Pennsylvania’s population decreased by 25,000 from July 2020 to July 2021. Natural population…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Population ProblemsState Budget
Credit Where Due: Fiscal Wins to Build on in the 2022 State Budget
February 7, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf has spent his final year in office claiming credit for fiscally-responsible policies enacted during his tenure, and he will attempt…
Press Release
Read More: Credit Where Due: Fiscal Wins to Build on in the 2022 State BudgetEducation
Catholic school parents, teachers challenge recruiting allegations in federal civil rights suit
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Parents and student wrestlers who engaged in school choice during the Covid-19 pandemic challenged recruiting allegations in federal court last week as part…
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Read More: Catholic school parents, teachers challenge recruiting allegations in federal civil rights suitState Budget
Pennsylvania Fiscal Chart Book 2022
Eight charts summarizing how much state government spends and how to strengthen the fiscal health of the commonwealth. Topics on this pageFiscal policyGovernment spending…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Fiscal Chart Book 2022State Budget
How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families
Key Points Excessive government spending and borrowing is causing record-setting inflation and severe supply chain shortages.Voters want fiscal restraint from their government.High taxes and spending are making Pennsylvania uncompetitive, costing…
Backgrounder
Read More: How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania FamiliesState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Stalled Economy
Summary In 2021, Pennsylvania lagged behind most states in recovering from the COVID-19 shutdown.Challenges like historic inflation and labor shortages will likely persist throughout 2022.This year, lawmakers can reverse these…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Stalled EconomyState Budget
2022 Pa. Budget Checklist
Limit spending growth to the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) index The total General Fund spending increase should not exceed the TPA limit of 3.46 percent, or an additional $1.376 billion.
Fact Sheet
Read More: 2022 Pa. Budget Checklist