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.
Health Care
Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to Improve
On Thursday, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced approval of the Healthy PA waiver, including a new private coverage option. But the approved waiver severely limited…
Media
Read More: Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to ImprovePublic Union Democracy
Union Lobbying Holds Back Lottery Performance
Illinois’s decision to terminate its lottery private management agreement with Northstar is being misinterpreted as proof that Pennsylvania dodged a bullet by failing to approve a private lottery management…
Media
Read More: Union Lobbying Holds Back Lottery PerformanceHealth Care
Falling Through the Cracks in Obamacare
Mark Ferkler is a Delaware County resident in his mid-thirties. He’s healthy, gainfully employed and now, thanks to Obamacare, is newly uninsured. Yes, you read that right — uninsured. Despite…
Commentary
Read More: Falling Through the Cracks in ObamacareTaxes & Economy
Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming Poverty
Bobbi was struggling. A single mom of two kids, she had a job but no place to live. Thanks to Opportunity House in Reading, Pennsylvania, Bobbi found a home…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming PovertyTaxes & Economy
Landowners Will Bear Burden of Severance Tax
Randy Walker’s Armstrong County farm has been in the family for three generations. On 72 acres they grow hay, corn, oats, and care for cattle. A few years ago, Randy…
Media
Read More: Landowners Will Bear Burden of Severance TaxEducation
Taxing Business Won’t Save Students
Paul Battista told a Congressional subcommittee last year: “We can now pay a higher family-sustaining wage! We have people working for us that are the primary breadwinners of their household.”…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing Business Won’t Save StudentsHealth Care
Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA
Back in 2012, many laughed at the idea of challenging Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates by arguing that the law as written allows subsidies for insurance in state exchanges only.
Media
Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PAEducation
Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship Program
James Cromartie is a 7th grader at the School of Church Farm in Exton, Pa. His mom, Lynne, is grateful for the school’s challenging academics, art, music and athletic programs.
Media
Read More: Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship ProgramPublic Union Democracy
Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking Reform
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai took to the podium last week, providing press and spectators his response to the Governor’s criticisms, blue-line budget reductions, and House priorities. We applaud…
Media
Read More: Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking ReformPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Unions Block Pension Reform
Lawmakers may have agreed on a no-new-taxes budget, but the cost drivers behind this year’s budget shortfall and Pennsylvania’s annual budget crisis remain unchanged. Chief among those cost drivers is…
Media
Read More: Gov. Unions Block Pension ReformState Budget
Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget Crisis
Pennsylvania has a prioritization problem. Recent controversies about the State Racing Fund and the legislature’s reserve fund provide two examples of why Pennsylvania consistently wrestles with budget crises. Auditor General…
Media
Read More: Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget CrisisHealth Care
There’s No Such Thing as a Temporary Expansion
Last week, the House Health and Human Services Committee advanced HB 1492 to accept the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion. This move would shift the purpose of Medicaid from caring for vulnerable…
Media
Read More: There’s No Such Thing as a Temporary ExpansionTaxes & Economy
Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?
Should individuals be able to spend their welfare benefits on liquor, tobacco, gambling or strippers? Currently, they can. House Bill 907 would codify Department of Welfare electronic benefit card…
Media
Read More: Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?Health Care
Will Modified Medicaid Expansion Bring Needed Reforms?
While Pennsylvania waits to learn the fate of the Healthy PA waiver, Indiana is making headlines as the latest state to propose a modified expansion. The Healthy Indiana Plan…
Media
Read More: Will Modified Medicaid Expansion Bring Needed Reforms?Health Care
A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare Reform
Pennsylvania is facing an estimated $1.2 billion deficit next fiscal year. To bring the budget into balance without tax increases or borrowing, spending reforms must be implemented. In our…
Media
Read More: A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare ReformEducation
Fewer Districts Seek Big Property Tax Hikes
Government union leaders like to claim mythical state education funding cuts caused widespread school property tax increases. But new data shows fewer school districts are actually receiving exceptions…
Media
Read More: Fewer Districts Seek Big Property Tax HikesTaxes & Economy
Dangers of a Severance Tax
Given the fiscal challenges facing the state, many advocacy groups are calling for new taxes on natural gas. However, lawmakers should be aware that a severance tax will make Pennsylvania…
Memo
Read More: Dangers of a Severance TaxHealth Care
Five Reasons the Exchanges are Failing
Over 8 million Americans and 300,000 Pennsylvanians signed up for health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges according to data released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)…
Media
Read More: Five Reasons the Exchanges are FailingHealth Care
Poverty Isn’t a Partisan Problem
Here’s a sobering fact: 13.1 percent of Pennsylvanians live in poverty despite billions spent every year on the social safety net. Simply throwing more money at the problem won’t make…
Media
Read More: Poverty Isn’t a Partisan ProblemEducation
SAT Scores Slip While Spending Soars
Pennsylvania education spending is at at all-time high and ranks near the top in dollars spent per student among the states. But all of that extra spending isn’t helping kids…
Media
Read More: SAT Scores Slip While Spending SoarsHealth Care
Washington isn’t Interested in Fixing Medicaid
“We have been legitimately working very hard with them and frankly, I’m very disappointed with the turn in discussions in the last week,” said Governor Corbett (paywall) on the federal…
Media
Read More: Washington isn’t Interested in Fixing Medicaid