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JANUARY 14, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Commonwealth Foundation Launches PennsylvaniaVotes.org
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today announced the launch of PennsylvaniaVotes.org, the state's first and only web site that provides—at no cost—a nonpartisan, layman's description of every bill introduced in the General Assembly.
NOVEMBER 13, 2008 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Statement on the Passing of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
The Commonwealth Foundation is saddened by the loss of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. We will fondly remember her unsurpassed dedication to her roles in public service, her compassion and decency, and her desire for fairness in the political and legislative arenas. Our prayers are with her family.
AUGUST 6, 2007 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pat Toomey Joins Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Foundation
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation—Pennsylvania’s free-market public policy think tank—announced the election of former Pennsylvania Congressman Pat Toomey to its Board of Directors.
Recent Blog Posts
MARCH 4, 2010
Who are the Tea Partiers?
The Sam Adams Alliance has a new report out presenting findings from a survey of 50 "tea party movement" leaders. Among the more interesting findings
- 46.9 percent were uninvolved or rarely involved with politics prior to 2009
- 91.5 percent are on Facebook, 80.9 percent of the organizers have a website for their organization, and 59.6 percent are on Twitter
- 85.7 percent said "No" when asked if they were in favor of moving in the direction of a Third Party
- 91.7 percent said "budget" is "very important," followed by the "economy" at 85.4 percent, and "defense" at 79.6 percent
The was also a recent CNN survey which asked about tea party involvement (see page 5). Not surprisingly, participants in tea party events were more likely to be Conservative, Republican or Independent, from rural areas, and from the Midwest or West than the full survey respondents. Somewhat surprisingly - at least if you follow the MSNBC/NPR talking points that tea partiers are a bunch of dumb hicks - they are, on average, higher income, more educated, and younger than the non-teapartiers.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 10:59 AM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 25, 2010
Who's Blogging About CF?
Here are some recent updates from various blogs mentioning Commonwealth Foundation, or giving us some good linkage:
- Redstate notes our call for an independent investigation into Penn State professor Michael Mann's scientific conduct and highlights a student-led rally at Penn State.
- Capitol Ideas links to our blog on the looming pension crisis and highlights Matt Brouillette sparring with PennFuture's president and CEO Jan Jarrett.
- While Alternative Green Power links PennFuture's call for CF to apologize to Penn State for questioning their impartiality in an internal investigation into Mann, the Heartland Institute suggests we put Jan Jarrett on our payroll after the recent climate change debate on WITF radio.
- Tony Phyrillas gave CF the hats off for our fundraising technique and fight against taxes and mentions some of our numbers on PA state debt.
- Grassrootspa and Bristol Twp. recognized Elizabeth Bryan's commentary on unemployment compensations.
- Sights on Pennsylvania agrees with Nathan Benfield's idea to build a dormitory for legislators instead of using per diems to buy houses. Alex Charyna of PAWaterCooler suggests this is bad idea because it encourages lawmakers to linger in Harrisburg (NB: apparently Alex secretly desires sharing a bunk bed with Daylin Leach).
- The Mercury's blog and PA Guardian underscore our 2010 Budget Facts.
- Bucks Right says its "obvious" Pennyslvania isn't very competitve, but is kind enough to quote our blog citing another low ranking of PA's economy nonetheless.
posted by KATRINA CURRIE, NATHAN BENEFIELD | 09:35 AM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 15, 2010
The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators Back
State Rep. Frank Oliver announced he will be retiring at the end of his term. This retirement - along with those of Sen. Bob Mellow, Sen. Barry Stout, and Sen. Ray Musto (the latter two previously serving in the PA House first), and the recent death of Congressman Jack Murtha - has greatly reduced the number of current Pennsylvania legislators first elected before I was born.
That list will soon be down to four - Sen. Michael O'Pake, and Reps. Mark Cohen, Bud George, and Bill Deweese - or fewer if there are additional retirements or election losses. Five other sitting lawmakers were first elected during the 1970s (but after my introduction to the world): Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, and Reps. Thomas Caltagirone, Richard Geist, Nicholas Micozzie, and John Perzel.
For the record, there are also about 11 members (all in the Pennsylvania state house) younger than me, include six members born in the 1980s. (Source: Pennsylvania Legislative Services).
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 10:11 AM | 0 comment
