Tirzah Duren
Policy Analyst
Tirzah received her bachelor’s of science in anthropology at Eastern Oregon University, and her master’s in international studies at the University of San Francisco.
A Commonwealth Foundation intern in 2017, Tirzah has also worked at organizations such as the Mercatus Center doing research and data visualization. She is happy to be back working on economic and fiscal policy for the Keystone State.
Health Care
Breaking Down Barriers Following COVID-19
COVID-19 has kept many Pennsylvanians from frequenting the neighborhood coffee shops, nail salons, or retailers they once took for granted. But that’s not the real tragedy—even after stay at home…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Breaking Down Barriers Following COVID-19Government Accountability
Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.
Governor Wolf continues to take positive steps toward a safe and gradual opening of the Pennsylvania economy because lawmakers continue to advance good policy that protects lives and livelihoods.
Memo
Read More: Persistent Leadership will Safely Reopen Pa.Health Care
Is it Easier to Be Tiger King Than Buy Booze in Pennsylvania?
For Pennsylvanians, mixing up their favorite cocktail and following the adventures of an off-the-wall zoo owner named Joe Exotic might be easier said than done. State-run liquor stores shut down…
Commentary
Read More: Is it Easier to Be Tiger King Than Buy Booze in Pennsylvania?Health Care
Pennsylvania’s Budget Is Not Crisis Proof
COVID-19 has highlighted some of the cracks in our current budget system. Sticking to these budget basics will help Pennsylvania withstand the current crisis, as well as reform the budget…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Budget Is Not Crisis ProofHealth Care
Pennsylvania Can Beat COVID-19. Here’s How
It’s a thin tightrope to walk, but lawmakers must balance policies that keep Pennsylvanians safe with those that empower medical workers, protect the health care supply chain, and …
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Can Beat COVID-19. Here’s HowRegulation
Tale of Two Workers
The rhetoric surrounding public service and actual compensation for public service are two different stories. Average total compensation (salary and benefits) for a Pennsylvania state employee is now $104,506. That’s…
Commentary
Read More: Tale of Two Workers
It’s Time to Take Action
Being a state legislator is just like being Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Or Jennifer Lawrence in Hunger Games. Or Captain America in Avengers. In other words, they have to take action. Protecting…
Media
Read More: It’s Time to Take ActionEnergy
5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PA
When Governor Wolf announced his decision to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through executive order this past October, he also sent the message that PA is closed for business. For businesses operating…
Commentary
Read More: 5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PARegulation
IFO Report: Pa. Wastes $60 Million Per Year on Underperforming Programs
Fairness is such a simple concept. We’re born with it—when treated unfairly, we seek to right the wrong and restore a level playing field. But for some reason, Pennsylvania politics…
Commentary
Read More: IFO Report: Pa. Wastes $60 Million Per Year on Underperforming ProgramsRegulation
Dairy Farms Can’t Support Prevailing Wage Mandates
Pennsylvania’s picturesque countryside is home to roughly 6,200 dairy farms. While the road trip through Pennsylvania is idyllic—the business climate for these farmers is far from ideal.
Commentary
Read More: Dairy Farms Can’t Support Prevailing Wage MandatesState Budget
The Road to Better Infrastructure
Anyone who has ever driven on Pennsylvania’s roads knows this state is filled with structurally deficient bridges—3,770 to be exact—and that the skill of artfully swerving around potholes is essential…
Commentary
Read More: The Road to Better InfrastructureTaxes & Economy
Poverty, Energy, and RGGI
Despite living in one of the richest countries and one of the largest energy producers in the world, many Americans still struggle to pay their energy bills. Roughly 1 in 3 Americans report…
Media
Read More: Poverty, Energy, and RGGIRegulation
Economic Freedom and Flourishing in Pennsylvania
We live in a free country, but when it comes to our economy, Pennsylvanians aren’t free. Unpredictable regulation makes owning a business a huge risk in Pennsylvania, and when it…
Media
Read More: Economic Freedom and Flourishing in PennsylvaniaState Budget
Pennsylvania Needs the Ramsey Method
High debt, reckless spending, and impending financial ruin. That description fits both Pennsylvania and budget guru Dave Ramsey’s life before he achieved financial stability. The Ramsey method has helped millions of…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Needs the Ramsey MethodTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Business Climate is a Gamble for Entrepreneurs
60, 61, 29, 45! While these might sound like Powerball numbers, they are actually state rankings that highlight just how lucky businesses in Pennsylvania aren’t. Across different measurements of the state’s business…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Business Climate is a Gamble for EntrepreneursRegulation
Sparks Fly Over Creating a Carbon Tax in Pa.
Walk outs, tin foil hats, and shouts from the audience characterized a tense House Energy and Environmental Resources hearing on Governor Wolf’s executive order to join the Regional…
Media
Read More: Sparks Fly Over Creating a Carbon Tax in Pa.Taxes & Economy
Wolf Pollutes the Discussion on RGGI
Power plants aren’t the only things blowing smoke in Pennsylvania. Governor Wolf’s executive order forcing the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is based on deceptive “findings.” And…
Media
Read More: Wolf Pollutes the Discussion on RGGIRegulation
RGGI Would Hurt Pennsylvanians
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a network of nine surrounding states that have imposed caps on CO2 emissions in a failed attempt to impact climate trends. Current member states have experienced increased…
Media
Read More: RGGI Would Hurt PennsylvaniansState Budget
Soda Taxes Target the Poor
Soda may not be on the list of Seven Deadly Sins but try telling that to lawmakers in Philadelphia. On January 1, 2017, the city instituted a tax of 1.5…
Media
Read More: Soda Taxes Target the PoorRegulation
Mimosa Monopoly
Pennsylvania is waging a secret war on millennials. Okay, maybe not on millennials, but definitely on brunch, and that’s pretty much the same thing. The deleterious effect of Pennsylvania’s sky-high…
Media
Read More: Mimosa Monopoly
Death and Taxes…and Dating?
You can’t put a price on love, but you can put a price on finding it…and in Pennsylvania, it’s not cheap. Taxes, regulations, and government overreach are known to unnecessarily increase the cost…
Media
Read More: Death and Taxes…and Dating?