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
Government Intervention Prolongs Recessions
Recessions are a tough time for all—many lose their jobs, family incomes shrink, and budgets are squeezed. But recessions are natural and, in the long-run, foster a stronger economy. It…
Commentary
Read More: Government Intervention Prolongs RecessionsGovernment Accountability
Paying for Criminals’ Pensions
Yesterday, the PA House passed an amendment making it illegal for public employees to request lump-sum pension payments after they have been convicted of a crime related to their…
Media
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Remembering 9/11 Through Coercion
Cato has a post on eminent domain abuse in rural Pennsylvania and the flight 93 9/11 memorial. The contention centers on 7 owners and their 500 acres of the…
Media
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Bailouts and the Press
History has a way of repeating itself and all these comparisons between today’s recession and the great depression are sometimes eerily similar. Economic conditions and the popularity of the internet…
Media
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How PA Should Use Its Stimulus Money
Lawmakers in Missouri announced they are foregoing pet projects in order to temporarily lower the state’s personal income tax from 6% to 5.5%. (HT NTU) Governor Rendell would be…
Media
Read More: How PA Should Use Its Stimulus MoneyTaxes & Economy
Will Mandated Smart Meters Save Money?
Last year the legislature passed Act 128, which forces utilities to force their customers to conserve electricity. Among the provisions is a mandate to install smart meters in every…
Media
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Electricity: Phase-In Legislation Passes Committee
Yesterday, the Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation that would phase-in higher electricity rates over a three year period. Rates for PPL residential customers are expected to increase…
Media
Read More: Electricity: Phase-In Legislation Passes CommitteeEnergy
Electricity Deregulation: A Successful Transition
Most Pennsylvania residents will soon see significant increases in their electricity bills. Many state lawmakers are concerned about the political backlash they will receive as a result. But it is…
Commentary
Read More: Electricity Deregulation: A Successful TransitionEducation
Study Shows School Vouchers are Working
The latest research on the Milwaukee school voucher program shows significant improvements in student achievement and millions of dollars in savings for state taxpayers. Interestingly, boys seem to be…
Media
Read More: Study Shows School Vouchers are WorkingTaxes & Economy
Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline Extended
The deadline for the Please No More Taxes Video Contest has been extended to June 1st! Are you tired of paying high taxes? Enter the Commonwealth Foundation’s “Please…
Media
Read More: Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline ExtendedRegulation
Corporate Welfare Fails to Save PA Jobs
Amazon is closing distribution centers in three states, including one in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Just last year the state “helped” the world’s leading on-line retailer to open a new…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Fails to Save PA JobsEducation
Higher Education: Focus on Students not Research
A new study from AEI bolsters our claim that higher education’s obsession with (often obscure) research lowers the quality of undergraduate education. Professor Bauerlein’s paper entitled “Professors…
Media
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Higher Education: Focus on Students not Research
A new study from AEI bolsters our claim that higher education’s obsession with (often obscure) research lowers the quality of undergraduate education. Professor Bauerlein’s paper entitled “Professors…
Media
Read More: Higher Education: Focus on Students not ResearchEducation
Rendell Tells PSU to Cut Costs
Yesterday, the Governor met with the Pennsylvania Tuition Coalition, a student group lobbying the state to include state-related schools, like PSU, in the Governor’s tuition relief scheme. Rendell told…
Media
Read More: Rendell Tells PSU to Cut CostsEducation
Upcoming Opportunities for Students
The Commonwealth Foundation has a number of great opportunities for students to learn more about economics, public policy, and the importance of liberty. Please, No More Taxes! Video Contest- Win…
Media
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PHEAA: More Wasteful Spending Exposed
On Monday the CEO of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation was fired for excessive travel expenses. Michael Hershock (former head of the PHEAA) spent thousands…
Media
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Time for Universities to Focus on Education
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the Pennsylvania State Board of Education’s recent suggestion to establish “no-frills” 4-year colleges. The proposal has sparked debate over what constitutes a “frill”. Francis…
Media
Read More: Time for Universities to Focus on EducationGovernment Accountability
Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009
Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009 identifies $5 billion in unhealthy state spending in FY 2008-09 and offers a series of recommendations to both resolve the current revenue shortfall…
Report
Read More: Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009Education
More Subsidies for Higher Education
Governor Rendell is proposing an increase of $128 million in tuition aide for students at PASSHE schools. There’s no question that skyrocketing tuition is hitting families hard, but throwing…
Media
Read More: More Subsidies for Higher EducationTaxes & Economy
Royal Bank of Scotland to Sell Electricity in PA
The Tribune-Review reports The Royal Bank of Scotland is awaiting permission from the PUC to sell electricity to commercial and industrial customers across Pennsylvania. The change would give Pittsburgh…
Media
Read More: Royal Bank of Scotland to Sell Electricity in PARegulation
New Pollution Regulations Will Cost You
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania DEP reinstated CAIR (the Clean Air Interstate Rule) after a successful appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In July, the…
Media
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