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.
Regulation
Pennsylvania Municipal Pension Reform in a Nutshell
Yesterday the Senate approved HB 1828, a long and complicated bill full of so-called pension reforms and potential local tax increases. Here’s a basic summary of the provisions following…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Municipal Pension Reform in a NutshellHealth Care
The Success of Consumer-Driven Health Care
In the midst of debates over the right kind of health care reform, consumer-driven plans continue to attract consumers while keeping costs in check. Greg Scandlen of Consumers of…
Media
Read More: The Success of Consumer-Driven Health CareRegulation
The Pennsylvania Pension Bailout
Pennsylvania legislators are drawing nearer to implementing a bailout bill for Philadelphia and a state takeover for insolvent municipal pension funds in cities like Pittsburgh. While pension reforms are…
Media
Read More: The Pennsylvania Pension BailoutRegulation
We’re Twice as Smart of the People of Shelbyville
Harley-Davidson continues to tour business friendly states to re-locate its York plant that employs over 2,000 workers – among the four options considered are Shelbyville, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Media
Read More: We’re Twice as Smart of the People of ShelbyvilleState Budget
Cash for Clunkers Crash and Burns
The New York Times reports that car dealers in New York have pulled out of the government’s cost-shifting program to aid automakers in Detroit under the banner…
Media
Read More: Cash for Clunkers Crash and BurnsHealth Care
Universal Health Care is for Primitive Societies
The Wynnewood Institute has a great article on government run health care by Thomas Patrick Burke. It argues that since civilizations value freedom over coercion universal health care…
Media
Read More: Universal Health Care is for Primitive SocietiesGovernment Accountability
Expose Media Bias, Make Money
Tired of media bias, factual errors, and false assumptions? The National Review Institute is offering compensation for anyone who submits “short posts identifying the factual errors, lazy clichés, loaded terms,…
Media
Read More: Expose Media Bias, Make MoneyRegulation
Lower Taxes Would Eliminate Need For Rendell’s Corporate Giveaways
At 9.99% PA’s Corporate Net Income Tax is the 2nd highest in the U.S. and our Capital Stock and Franchise Tax, a 1.89-mill levy on corporate infrastructure (given the budget)…
Media
Read More: Lower Taxes Would Eliminate Need For Rendell’s Corporate GiveawaysTaxes & Economy
Make Drill Here, Drill Now a Reality
Remember Drill Here Drill Now campaign? It’s one approval away from becoming a reality. As of October 1, 2008 no moratoriums exist on offshore oil and gas development, however,…
Media
Read More: Make Drill Here, Drill Now a RealityTaxes & Economy
Energy Conservation Myth is a Vicious Cycle
Studies from the McKinsey group and National Research Council released this week claim that we can substantially reduce the country’s energy usage (15-32% by 2020) by replacing inefficient appliances…
Media
Read More: Energy Conservation Myth is a Vicious CycleEducation
Will “State-Related” Universities Get Stimulus Funding, No Stimulus Funding, or No Funding at All?
On June 26th the Governor submitted his application for federal stabilization funds, including the following phrase:”The Commonwealth’s “state-related universities” are excluded from all calculations for purposes of the State Fiscal…
Media
Read More: Will “State-Related” Universities Get Stimulus Funding, No Stimulus Funding, or No Funding at All?Taxes & Economy
Stop the PA Rip-off: End Rate Caps
Democratic candidate for Governor Tom Knox just launched a website to promote the extension of electric rate caps. The site, stoptheparipoff.com, ignores the cost of extending rate caps…
Media
Read More: Stop the PA Rip-off: End Rate CapsGovernment Accountability
10 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Tax Hikes
Contrary to the Governor’s rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and spending cuts that can balance the budget without firing our police, evicting our elderly, or dumbing down our…
Media
Read More: 10 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Tax HikesTaxes & Economy
How Legislators Are Increasing Your Electricity Bill
Pennsylvania electricity consumers are in danger of a triple whammy. Three separate energy policies are likely to increase your electric bill (not even counting federal Cap and Trade legislation, which…
Media
Read More: How Legislators Are Increasing Your Electricity BillTaxes & Economy
More Mandates=More Expensive Electricity
On Wednesday the Housed passed a bill to reestablish the State Energy Office, terminated in 1995. HB 287 would resurrect the office to preform vague duties like: Promote…
Media
Read More: More Mandates=More Expensive ElectricityEducation
How Colleges are Cutting Costs
Two recent articles in the New York Times prove universities can cut costs without decreasing the quality of education. Susquehanna University saved almost $3,000 as students…
Media
Read More: How Colleges are Cutting CostsGovernment Accountability
State Spending Transparency
Testimony of Elizabeth Bryan to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, June 18, 2009 Good morning, I am Elizabeth Bryan, a research associate with the Commonwealth Foundation, a free-market public…
Testimony
Read More: State Spending TransparencyEducation
Fact Check: The Costing-Out Study
Today the Governor wraps up his “Tax You More Tour” with Matt Brouillette following stride for stride. Meanwhile, we’re debunking another spending myth: The Costing-Out Study…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: The Costing-Out StudyEducation
Fact Check: School Choice Saves
As the “Tax You More” lobbying tour continues its journey Matt Brouillette continues to offer the real facts on state education spending. Today’s education fact focusing on how…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: School Choice SavesEducation
Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education Spending
Today the Pennsylvania Department of Education is on day 3 of their “Tax You More” bus tour. While the administration continues their taxpayer funded lobbying effort, Commonwealth Foundation President…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education SpendingGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvanians Deserve Open Budget Debate
With the approach of June 30th and the end of the state’s fiscal year comes the annual argument in Harrisburg over Pennsylvania’s budget. With Senate Republicans having passed a spending…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvanians Deserve Open Budget Debate