Elizabeth Stelle
Director of Policy Analysis
Elizabeth has researched and written on government reform, health care, welfare, energy, and government transparency. Her work has been featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patriot-News, Philadelphia Inquirer, and a variety of radio and television programs throughout the commonwealth. Elizabeth is a graduate of Grove City College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
A native of Ohio, Elizabeth makes her home in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and four children. She enjoys swimming, traveling to historic landmarks and exploring the moral foundations of capitalism.
Wolf Misleads on Need for More Taxes
Gov. Tom Wolf today proposed a new tax on natural gas, fulfilling one of his campaign promises. However, much of his rhetoric doesn’t match reality. Wolf’s proposal calls for a…
Media
Read More: Wolf Misleads on Need for More TaxesHealth Care
Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the Poor
Yesterday’s announcement that Healthy PA will be rolled back in favor of full-scale Medicaid expansion misses the point. Instead of unraveling the few positive reforms incoporated in the original Medicaid waiver,…
Media
Read More: Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the PoorGovernment Accountability
No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want Transparency
Lehigh County commissioners are getting the silent treatment during labor contract negotiations, and they aren’t happy about it. Reportedly, the current county executive, Tom Muller, refused leadership…
Media
Read More: No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want TransparencyEducation
Teachers Denied the Right to Represent Themselves
Last week the Bethlehem Area School District approved a new labor contract that will force all teachers—even those who do not want the union’s services—to pay the organization hundreds of…
Media
Read More: Teachers Denied the Right to Represent ThemselvesPublic Union Democracy
Mary’s Law is Introduced
Paycheck protection legislation, known as “Mary’s Law,” was officially introduced in the state House of Representatives as HB 238. With the backing of 39 co-sponsors, Mary’s Law seeks to…
Media
Read More: Mary’s Law is IntroducedCriminal Justice Reform
Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win
Unprecedented reductions in the prison population, $69.9 million in taxpayer savings, and lower recidivism rates all indicate that the 2012 corrections reforms are working. Earlier this month Don Gilliland over…
Media
Read More: Corrections Reform Proves a Win-WinEducation
Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms
The school district of Philadelphia saw a $1 billion increase in revenue over the past decade, even as enrollment declined. Yet many claim there isn’t enough funding for basic…
Media
Read More: Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia ClassroomsEducation
Super Six: Important ‘Wins’ for Taxpayers, Kids this Year
Policymakers made significant strides over the past legislative session to increase school choice, save taxpayers from waste and abuse in unemployment compensation, and protect students. While critical reforms remain, it’s…
Media
Read More: Super Six: Important ‘Wins’ for Taxpayers, Kids this YearState Budget
Spending Restraint, Reform Needed to Balance Budget
With an estimated $2 billion “planning deficit” announced this week, one might believe crafting a balanced budget that doesn’t raise taxes is impossible. Yet earlier this year, we…
Media
Read More: Spending Restraint, Reform Needed to Balance BudgetTaxes & Economy
Economic Freedom Key to a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the 27th freest state in America according to the Fraser Institute’s annual Economic Freedom of North America report, which is hardly news to be celebrating. States were…
Media
Read More: Economic Freedom Key to a Prosperous PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
The Gift of Work
Red kettles, canned food drives, Toys for Tots—the holidays are a time when private charity shines. But have you ever wondered about the best way to help the poor? Ron…
Media
Read More: The Gift of WorkHealth Care
New Wave of Obamacare Price Hikes Arrives
Regina Weinhardt handles benefits for her family’s plumbing business in Delaware County. In business since 1962, providing health care to their employees has always been a priority, “My father started…
Media
Read More: New Wave of Obamacare Price Hikes ArrivesHealth Care
Bracing for Obamacare Rate Hikes
Only three days until the Obamacare exchanges open for 2015 enrollment. Last Sunday, the federal government released preliminary rates for window shopping. We compared the cheapest insurance plans in…
Media
Read More: Bracing for Obamacare Rate HikesHealth Care
ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care
The federal government’s health care overhaul is quickly becoming “Medicaid for all.” The more we learn about the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) newly insured population, the clearer it becomes that…
Media
Read More: ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost CareHealth Care
Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange
Premiums are poised to rise significantly in Pennsylvania in year two of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Three insurers announced this week that they are seeking premium increases of…
Media
Read More: Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange
Healthcare Problems Require Personal Solutions
Next month, Obamacare enrollment will start anew. Rather than a solution to an ailing healthcare system, this promises mass confusion, higher prices, and more families looking for help. …
Commentary
Read More: Healthcare Problems Require Personal SolutionsHealth Care
Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?
Four years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, few think healthcare is more affordable. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising, a new wave of Pennsylvanians are losing their…
Media
Read More: Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?Health Care
Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear
Need to see a dermatologist in Philadelphia? If you are on Medicaid you’ll have to wait a staggering 49 days, according to recent Merritt Hawkins survey. This is no…
Media
Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to BearRegulation
Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber
Last week two Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) administrative law judges recommended against legalizing the popular transportation service Uber in Allegheny County. The reason? The company, “is not committed to…
Media
Read More: Unpopular Attempt to Undo UberState Budget
PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt
Every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania owes just over $10,000 in state and local debt. Today, the state House made another positive step towards reducing that debt burden.
Media
Read More: PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce DebtTaxes & Economy
Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed
Good news: Pennsylvania will no longer spend 40 percent of the general fund budget on public welfare. Instead, we’ll spend it on “human services.” Yesterday, the general assembly approved HB…
Media
Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed