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.
Public Union Democracy
You’ve Been Duped
Apparently our April Fools Day news release hit a little too close to home for some. We announced that under new…
Media
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Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy Lobby
Colorado residents are fighting back against the powerful renewable energy lobby via ballot initiative. The Western Tradition Partnership, a grassroots citizens group, said they would attack the renewables…
Media
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Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea
In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…
Commentary
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Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation
As more natural gas wells are drilled, environmental groups, and now lawmakers, are decrying the technology as unsafe or responsible for contamination. Even the EPA announced it is conducting…
Media
Read More: Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic StagnationGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
It’s time for another edition of the CF Policy Blog Roundup. Capitol Ideas keeps the link love coming by pointing to our post on the NTU’s rating of PA’s…
Media
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The Green Schools Ruse
Yesterday the House passed Rep. Drucker’s bill to exclude any costs associated with making a school building LEED certified from a possible…
Media
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CF Podcast: Freedom in the 50 States
Listen to the latest CF podcast on Mercatus Center study, Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom. The report is the first comprehensive…
Media
Read More: CF Podcast: Freedom in the 50 StatesTaxes & Economy
Could Municipalities Provide Cheaper Electricity?
Last week the State House Committee on Consumer Affairs held a hearing on legislation which would allow municipalities to act as electricity aggregators for residents, unless they opt-out for another…
Media
Read More: Could Municipalities Provide Cheaper Electricity?Government Accountability
The Case for a Citizen Legislature
The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Case for a Citizen LegislatureTaxes & Economy
Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. Mann
Penn State YAF’s (Young Americans for Freedom) petition for academic integrity is now online! On February 12th almost a hundred students and citizens gathered to demand a fair and thorough…
Media
Read More: Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. MannTaxes & Economy
A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad Policy
Days before Pennsylvanians rang in the New Year, Gov. Rendell signed an agreement that paves the way for one of the most radical (and expensive) changes in Pennsylvania’s energy history.
Media
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PPL Proposes Distribution Rate Increase
PPL is hoping to “modestly” increase distribution rates next year. This is the regulated part of your electricity bill which is not subject to competition. There is no word…
Media
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Electric Choice Trumps a Rate Cap Phase-in
The York Dispatch reports West Manchester Township is entering into a consortium to hedge against future electricity rate increases as rate caps are set to end for the area…
Media
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Debunking the Green Job Myth
US News and World Report has an excellent piece from AEI’s Kenneth Green debunking the green job myth. Government can create jobs: Green explains how governments cannot create…
Media
Read More: Debunking the Green Job MythEducation
Who’s to Blame for the Rising Costs of Higher Ed?
Rendell’s FY 2010-11 budget funds state related universities at the same level as FY 2009-10 budget. University officials claim they need an increase in state funding to keep tuition…
Media
Read More: Who’s to Blame for the Rising Costs of Higher Ed?Taxes & Economy
When Alternative Energy Subsidies End . . .
Jim Panyard from the PA Independent reports on Rep. Scavello’s plan to secure $26 to $54 million in stimulus funding for residents who own Thermal Storage Unit heating systems.
Media
Read More: When Alternative Energy Subsidies End . . .State Budget
The Unemployment Compensation Hole
Yesterday, Secretary of Labor and Industry Sandy Vito testified before the House Appropriations Committee in the usual round of budget hearings. She reported that the unemployment compensation fund is $2.2…
Media
Read More: The Unemployment Compensation HoleState Budget
The True Cost of Unemployment Compensation
Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation fund is bankrupt. Beginning in March 2009, the Keystone State borrowed over $2 billion from the federal government to keep it solvent. Unfortunately, unemployment continues to grow,…
Commentary
Read More: The True Cost of Unemployment CompensationEnergy
Business Guide to Electric Choice & Competition
In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…
Fact Sheet
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Will Mandates Create “Green Jobs”?
Yes, to answer the question posed by the title, the state can mandate the creation of “green jobs” via alternative energy mandates – just as it…
Media
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Electricity Competition: One Month Later . . .
With January electric bills in the hands of rate payers there is a host of discussion about the successes and short comings of electricity deregulation. Unlike Rep. George and…
Media
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