Stephen Bloom
Vice President
Steve grew up in New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Penn State University in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, and his Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law. He became shareholder in a law firm, later founded his own solo practice, and is now Of Counsel with Irwin & McKnight, P.C., in Carlisle, Pa., where he resides. He was an instructor and lecturer at Messiah College, teaching courses in economics, business law and personal finance, and has served as a faculty member for Pennsylvania Bar Institute continuing legal education programs.
In 2010, Steve was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served four two-year terms. In 2018, he entered a competitive race for the U.S. Congress, finishing a strong third among eight candidates in the Republican primary.
As a state representative, Steve’s mission was to cut the size and scope of government, reduce the burden of taxes and unnecessary regulation, defend constitutional liberties and, by doing those things, unleash the power of free enterprise to create jobs and prosperity. For his work advancing economic freedom in Pennsylvania, he was recognized as a Legislative Torch Bearer by Americans for Prosperity and as a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business. Steve was awarded a 90 percent lifetime rating by the American Conservative Union.
During his legislative service, Steve was appointed by the Speaker of the House as the chamber’s majority trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System, which manages over $50 billion in public assets. He was also appointed as a Deputy Whip and a Deputy Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee, and as a member of the House standing committees on Finance, Judiciary, Labor and Industry, Environmental Resources and Energy, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Urban Affairs.
Steve is a frequent media guest and speaker. He is author of The Believer’s Guide to Legal Issues (Living Ink Books, 2008) and co-author of They’ve Crossed the Line: A Patriot’s Guide to Religious Freedom (God & Country Press, 2013).
Throughout his life, Steve has challenged himself with the question, “Is my work making a positive difference?” As part of the team at the Commonwealth Foundation, his answer is a resounding “YES.”
Despite their youthful appearance, Steve and his wife have three grown children, one daughter-in-law, and four grandsons. In 2017, City & State Pennsylvania named Steve as one of its Fifty Over 50 Most Distinguished Citizens.
Energy
Three Mile Island Demonstrates the Value of Free Markets
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania In a political environment that increasingly pretends government-imposed fixes are the best answers to everyday problems, it sometimes feels like a rare moment when we…
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Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic Economics
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Vice President Kamala Harris wants to make groceries cheaper. However, her vague proposal to ban “price gouging” will have the opposite effect. Economists,…
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Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
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Commonwealth “Grow PA” Breakdown
Vice President of the Commonwealth Foundation Steve Bloom joins The Dawn Stensland Show to discuss the Grow PA plan for higher education.
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Gov. Shapiro’s labor agreements will harm workers and taxpayers
Originally published at The Patriot-News Gov. Josh Shapiro often brags about his competitive spirit. However, his recent directive to “evaluate and implement” Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) into…
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It’s the year of school choice, as is every year to follow
Originally published at LNP Those involved in the educational freedom movement often proclaim, “This is our year.” Yet, we can’t agree on which year that is. Forbes and the…
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Shapiro’s Carbon Tax Plan Is Unnecessary, Unpopular and Harmful
Originally published in Real Clear Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro announced…
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Before fixing college, Gov. Shapiro should fix Pennsylvania’s failing K–12 system
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro finally revealed his 2024 New Year’s resolution: overhaul college in the commonwealth. However, here’s the big question: Can he…
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What’s missing from the final report on basic education funding in Pennsylvania?
Originally published in The Patriot-News The Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) has approved its final report on distributing basic education funding for Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. I’m concerned…
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A Tale of Two Chambers in Pennsylvania
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania General Assembly is currently a Dickensian tale of two chambers. One chamber — the Senate — exemplifies the best of the times:…
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The hard-fought but inevitable reward of school choice
Originally published at The Sentinel Students like Myles Slade-Bowers remind us of how far Pennsylvania has come with education reform. Myles was supposed to attend Steelton-Highspire High…
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Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Stephen Bloom joined The Breakfast Show Oct. 6, 2023
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State House Democrats need to do their jobs
Originally published at LNP Lawmakers have one job: Work for the people they represent. This job requirement is as old as Pennsylvania when William Penn founded the Provincial Assembly…
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House Democrats Need to Get Back to Work
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania House Democrats have been acting busy during the state budget impasse—an impasse their own majority leader, Rep. Matt Bradford, inexplicably denied existed…
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Shapiro Lost His Way. But He Can Still Rescue Himself and the Kids Depending on Him.
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Educational choice is an uphill battle that is worth the time
Originally published at LNP All Pennsylvania students and families should be able to choose the educational path that suits their needs. I learned the importance of educational choice through…
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Shapiro and Pa.’s divided Legislature can work together to reduce energy costs
Originally published in the Bucks County Courier Times Gov. Josh Shapiro was right to emphasize in his first budget address that Pennsylvania can be a leader in…
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Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity
Originally published on LNP On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his first annual state budget address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. While he hasn’t unveiled the details of…
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Amendment would limit excessive power
Originally published in LNP The Pennsylvania Senate voted — for the second consecutive year — to advance a constitutional amendment that would empower the elected General Assembly to review…
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As governor, Shapiro should give Pa. students a ‘lifeline’
Originally published in LNP After months of campaigning — all the rhetoric, the countless negative ads and the record-setting political spending — Pennsylvanians made a decision: We elected a…
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Maryland’s Lesson: Nurse Practitioner Reform Will Increase Health Care Access
Originally published at RealClearHealth Sandra Nettina, a Maryland nurse practitioner (NP), walked into the family room of a 65-year-old woman with severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It was another…
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