Stephen Kelly
Senior Associate of Government Affairs
Stephen Kelly is a Senior Associate of Government Affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Stephen is an Adams County native. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Economics.
After graduating, Stephen returned home to Pennsylvania. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, he was a Polling Assistant for the 2022 Midterm Elections at Cygnal, a polling and survey research firm serving center-right and conservative campaigns, political action committees, and independent expenditures.
Outside of work and following politics, Stephen enjoys learning about history, playing rugby, and rooting for all the Philadelphia sports teams.
The Alternative to Tolling I-80
Pennsylvania lawmakers should reconsider the money it left on the table earlier this year after rejecting Gov. Rendell’s initial plan to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private-sector partner. Such…
Commentary
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A Conversation with Milton Friedman
Dallas Fed posts previously unreleased Conversation with Milton Friedman. Both audio and video available. Topics on this page Milton Friedman…
Media
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Ethanol Backlash
Wall Street Journal article on how Congress is rethinking the negative effects of subsidizing and mandating use of ethanol. I don’t usually call on the PA General Assembly to…
Media
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New life for turnpike-lease plan
Commonwealth Foundation’s Brouillette and Reason Foundation’s Gilroy in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer on the alternative to tolling I-80. Topics on this page Reason FoundationThe Philadelphia…
Media
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Peterson calls out Scarnati on I-80 tolling
The Bradford Era covers the tiff between Congressman Peterson and Sen. Scarnati.
Media
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Republicans Radical on Health Care?
Ramesh Ponnuru writes in Time Magazine that Republicans running for president have proposed more radical reforms in health care–seeking to tranform the system, rather than just preserve and extend…
Media
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Picking how to pick judges
Brett Lieberman on the state party chairs now calling for “merit selection” of judges. Several points of irony: “Just a few years ago, Rooney, a former state representative from…
Media
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Another Election, Another Victory for Citizens
Democracy Rising Pennsylvania on why Tuesday election was a victory for citizens: Voters had access to more and better information about judicial candidates than at any time in…
Media
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The Strangest Use of Tax Dollars
Below is a bizzare video, paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars. Hat tip to The Club For Growth who report it cost $4,197. And over at NTU, they compute…
Media
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More Reform Obituaries
Reformers’ next task: how to remain relevant – Morning CallTurn-’em-out drive failed – or did it? – Philadelphia InquirerA Rebuff to Reformers – Patriot News…
Media
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A Voucher Defeat in Utah
Adam Schaeffer in the Wall Street Journal on why tax credits are a better tool for providing school choice than vouchers. Topics on this page The…
Media
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More than 250 tell officials why they oppose I-80 tolls
Post Gazette story on the opposition to I-80 tolls at the Turnpike Commission’s post facto hearings. Topics on this page Pittsburgh Post-Gazette…
Media
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Response to Reform is Not Dead!
There are two types of halftime speeches – the rousing “win one for the Gipper” speech and the in-your-face, “you are playing like a bunch of [explicatives]”. I tried to…
Media
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Post-Election Wrap Up
All the results from Tuesday’s election are in- be sure to listen to THE BOX Program Saturday @ 8 am on WHP 580 AM for a “Post-Election Wrap…
Media
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Poll: I-80 toll less popular than leasing the Pa. Turnpike
The Quinnipiac (I spelled it right on the first try) poll reveals that tolling I-80 is less popular than a Turnpike lease read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story or click…
Media
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Reform is Not Dead! (yet)
John Micek already posed the question: Bad night all around for the Clean Sweepers. All the under-ticket state judges appear poised to hold onto their jobs as well.
Media
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Election News Roundup
Patriot News on Judicial Retentions and on Supreme Court Elections Inquirer on races in the Southeast and on the less competitive Philadelphia Mayor’s race. Post-Gazette on…
Media
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Election Day Updates
GrassrootsPA is keeping running updates of elections news and reports from the polls, so that we don’t have to. John Micek is live blogging over at Capitol Ideas.
Media
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Justifying Pork
Andrew Roth takes on the leading excuses for earmarks by Congress. These same excusses are used to defend WAMs and other corporate welfare in Pennsylvania (see here and…
Media
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Consumer Driven Health Plans: Working as Intended
New report from Consumers for Health Care Choices on the effect of Consumer Driven Health Plans: When these programs were being considered, proponents said they would have several…
Media
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A chance to end farm subsidies
Los Angeles Times editorial on the corporate welfare for rich farmers (including those in Manhattan). IDB has an op-ed of its own on the upcoming vote. Also…
Media
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