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.
Public Union Democracy
Gov. Shapiro’s labor agreements will harm workers and taxpayers
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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
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What’s missing from the final report on basic education funding in Pennsylvania?
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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
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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
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Shapiro and Pa.’s divided Legislature can work together to reduce energy costs
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Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity
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Amendment would limit excessive power
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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
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Scholarship bill is a lifeline for kids
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The tax holiday is a bait-and-switch as a fiscal crisis looms
Originally published at The Patriot-News Just as inflation reached a 40-year high, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine deepens the high food and gas price shock to U.S. consumers—to Pennsylvanians.
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Exposing the truth about education funding
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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…
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