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.
Six Quick Facts on Education Savings Accounts
Recently, education savings accounts (ESAs) have come under attacks from opponents of this legislation that would allow qualifying families to access the state education funding to purchase approved education services…
Commentary
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Six Quick Facts on Education Savings Accounts
Recently, education savings accounts (ESAs) have come under attacks from opponents of this legislation that would allow qualifying families to access the state education funding to purchase approved education services…
Commentary
Read More: Six Quick Facts on Education Savings Accounts
Transforming Free-Market Health Care Through Direct Primary Care
Imagine if you and your family could have unlimited access to your doctor and receive individualized wellness care at your home or office? Now imagine you could do all of…
Commentary
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Transforming Free-Market Health Care Through Direct Primary Care
Imagine if you and your family could have unlimited access to your doctor and receive individualized wellness care at your home or office? Now imagine you could do all of…
Commentary
Read More: Transforming Free-Market Health Care Through Direct Primary Care
Here’s Why SCOTUS Should Free Teachers from Forced Unionism
As a public school teacher, hundreds of parents entrust me to help their children achieve their potential. Thousands of taxpayers also rely on me to use their resources for the…
Commentary
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Here’s Why SCOTUS Should Free Teachers from Forced Unionism
As a public school teacher, hundreds of parents entrust me to help their children achieve their potential. Thousands of taxpayers also rely on me to use their resources for the…
Commentary
Read More: Here’s Why SCOTUS Should Free Teachers from Forced Unionism
Janus v. AFSCME: What’s at Stake
Mark Janus loves his job. “Serving others is part of who I am. But in order to do this type of work, I am forced to check my First Amendment…
Commentary
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Janus v. AFSCME: What’s at Stake
Mark Janus loves his job. “Serving others is part of who I am. But in order to do this type of work, I am forced to check my First Amendment…
Commentary
Read More: Janus v. AFSCME: What’s at Stake
Meet Emily Jae
Emily Jae is the Commonwealth Foundation’s director of entrepreneur engagement in southeastern Pennsylvania. Recently, Emily sat down with Commonwealth Sense to talk about her journey to CF, love of Philadelphia,…
Commentary
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Meet Emily Jae
Emily Jae is the Commonwealth Foundation’s director of entrepreneur engagement in southeastern Pennsylvania. Recently, Emily sat down with Commonwealth Sense to talk about her journey to CF, love of Philadelphia,…
Commentary
Read More: Meet Emily Jae
Did You Hear?
“The Commonwealth Foundation … has become a real powerful policy force in Harrisburg to my detriment and the detriment of the things I believe in, but I have to give…
Commentary
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A Budget of Contradictions
When Gov. Wolf presented his budget proposals for 2018-19 on February 6, his plan was not the one Pennsylvanians needed to hear. Instead, he offered more of the same: a…
Commentary
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Did You Hear?
“The Commonwealth Foundation … has become a real powerful policy force in Harrisburg to my detriment and the detriment of the things I believe in, but I have to give…
Commentary
Read More: Did You Hear?
A Budget of Contradictions
When Gov. Wolf presented his budget proposals for 2018-19 on February 6, his plan was not the one Pennsylvanians needed to hear. Instead, he offered more of the same: a…
Commentary
Read More: A Budget of Contradictions
Note from the Team
In February, Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Jennifer Stefano authored an op-ed in the print and online editions of the New York Times. (Find it here: https://nyti.ms/2IWISqI) It is a…
Commentary
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Note from the Team
In February, Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Jennifer Stefano authored an op-ed in the print and online editions of the New York Times. (Find it here: https://nyti.ms/2IWISqI) It is a…
Commentary
Read More: Note from the TeamTaxes & Economy
Migration Update
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/popest-metro-county.html The ten counties that experienced the greatest growth via domestic migration (“destination states”) had a lower average tax burden than the counties that experienced the greatest declines (“deserted states”). p 10…
Media
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The Taxpayer Protection Act: A Legislator’s Guide
Pennsylvania’s high state and local tax burden is the consequence of a decades-long spending binge. Pennsylvanians currently pay $4,589 per person in state and local taxes, which equals 10.2 percent…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act: A Legislator’s GuidePublic Union Democracy
PSU Graduate Students Reject Unionization
According to preliminary results, Penn State graduate assistants have voted to reject joining the Pennsylvania State Education Association. If the Coalition of Graduate Employees convinced a majority of voting graduate…
Media
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Pa.’s Economy Continues to Underwhelm
Just how burdensome have Pennsylvania taxes and regulations become? According to the latest edition of Rich States, Poor States (RSPS), the commonwealth ranks 35th in the nation for economic performance…
Media
Read More: Pa.’s Economy Continues to UnderwhelmRegulation
Seize Opportunities to Transform Pennsylvania
Maximizing our state’s potential requires a willingness to break from the status quo and find better ways to govern. Several improvements indicate Pennsylvania is moving in this direction, such…
Media
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