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.
Taxes & Economy
Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!
Yesterday, Governor Rendell had some harsh albeit entertaining words for opponents of HB 80, which would increase the state’s mandated alternative energy requirements. According to Rendell “Powerful special interests…
Media
Read More: Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!Regulation
Paper or Plastic?
This morning I came across a ridiculous piece of legislation. Rep. McGeehan has proposed HB 2200, which would ban paper and plastic bags in grocery stores. Forget subtle…
Media
Read More: Paper or Plastic?Taxes & Economy
Why are Electricity Rates Increasing? Has Competition Failed?
In the past few weeks ConEdison, MX Energy, and now Dominion Energy are raising their rates (this only affects those who haven’t switched). Far from failure, the…
Media
Read More: Why are Electricity Rates Increasing? Has Competition Failed?Government Accountability
Intern for Liberty: the IHS Summer Fellow Program
Are a student or do you know a student looking to advance their career while advancing liberty? The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellows Program provides summer internships at over…
Media
Read More: Intern for Liberty: the IHS Summer Fellow ProgramRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Gold Rush
In economically depressed Northeast Pennsylvania shale drilling has reinvigorated local economies creating thousands of jobs (29,000) last year. Yesterday, Fox News featured the region and the Marcellus Shale “gold rush”.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Gold RushEnergy
Citizen’s 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
Read More: Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & CompetitionTaxes & Economy
The Success of Electricity Deregulation in Texas
Here are some recent numbers, from our friends at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, illustrating the success of electricity deregulation. Since 2007 Texas’ electricity market has been fully deregulated…
Media
Read More: The Success of Electricity Deregulation in TexasEducation
Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea Spreads
The consideration of a tuition tax is appealing to populations beyond Pennsylvania as cities look to prop up budgets. Leave it to California to be the first to jump on…
Media
Read More: Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea SpreadsRegulation
Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees
As table game legislation inches towards final approval another reason to doubt the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the PA Gaming Control board has come to light. The Gaming Control…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board EmployeesTaxes & Economy
PA Highway System Ranked 38th in Nation
Tony Phyrillas highlights Pennsylvania standings in the Reason Foundation’s 18th Annual Highway Report. PA ranks 38 among the most cost-effective state-owned highway systems. The top five include…
Media
Read More: PA Highway System Ranked 38th in NationHealth Care
The Forgotten Health Care Tax
The Tax Foundation highlights a disturbing trend among states – new taxes on health care providers. Significant taxes on health providers and hospital taxes are on the books in…
Media
Read More: The Forgotten Health Care TaxState Budget
The Condition of the PA Budget According to Rendell
Governor Rendell, in his mid-year budget briefing, provided an optimistic if not misleading outlook. The Governor claims the commonwealth ended…
Media
Read More: The Condition of the PA Budget According to RendellEducation
New Higher Ed Proposals are More of the Same Failed Policies
Gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato has proposed a series of higher education policies aimed at increasing the amount of college grads by 6% in 4 years and improving affordability. All…
Media
Read More: New Higher Ed Proposals are More of the Same Failed PoliciesRegulation
SEPTA is Financially Sound?!
In a letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA general manager Joe Casey challenges our commentary in which we called for SEPTA to competitively contract routes…
Media
Read More: SEPTA is Financially Sound?!Taxes & Economy
The Minimum Wage Myth
As unemployment continues to rise and talk of a jobs stimulus circulates some are advocating for another increase in the minimum wage. But such a move would destroy jobs instead…
Media
Read More: The Minimum Wage MythEducation
Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?
With Pittsburgh on the brink of bankruptcy thanks to its continual out-of-control spending, Mayor Ravenstahl and his allies on City Council have hatched a new scheme to collect more money…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?Education
Teacher Merit Pay May Come to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh City Schools may soon finalize their second huge grant. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is granting the system $40 million over 6 and half years to improve…
Media
Read More: Teacher Merit Pay May Come to PittsburghTaxes & Economy
Electric Choice is Gaining Steam
With the expiration of rate caps in 2010 I've been tracking the entrance of new residential suppliers in the central PA electricity market. These days it's rare to see actual…
Media
Read More: Electric Choice is Gaining SteamGovernment Accountability
Shady State Contracts and the Need for Transparency
Auditor General Jack Wagner reprimanded the Department of General Services for their failure to execute and oversee state contracts. Since 2003 a large number of contracts have not been…
Media
Read More: Shady State Contracts and the Need for TransparencyRegulation
PA Should Heed Europe’s Experience with Renewables
Last month the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released Pennsylvania’s Climate Change Action plan. While touting the creation of “green jobs”, it did not advocate increasing PA’s…
Media
Read More: PA Should Heed Europe’s Experience with RenewablesGovernment Accountability
Break Up SEPTA
How can Pennsylvania lawmakers avoid this mess? The first step is to open mass transit in Philadelphia to competitive contracting, whereby private companies would compete to operate SEPTA's network.
Commentary
Read More: Break Up SEPTA