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.
Government Accountability
Update: State Spending Transparency
A reader emailed to ask if there are examples of states with online spending databases. Indeed states across the country are adopting transparency legislation while state officials and think tanks…
Media
Read More: Update: State Spending TransparencyGovernment Accountability
Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?
Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review reports on the inability of the General Assembly to pass reform legislation this session. The Senate is blaming the House for failing to act…
Media
Read More: Failure of Reform: Who’s to Blame?Taxes & Economy
Bailout Bandwagon – The Rendell Plan
As hope for the proposed Turnpike Lease dwindles, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is asking Congress to add $100 billion in transportation money to the $700 billion bailout deal.
Media
Read More: Bailout Bandwagon – The Rendell PlanTaxes & Economy
Competition Encourages Utilities to Help Consumers
Yesterday, Met-ed and Penelec filed their own pre-payment plan with the PUC. The proposal is similar to PPL’s recently launched effort to mitigate the expected jump in electricity prices…
Media
Read More: Competition Encourages Utilities to Help ConsumersTaxes & Economy
Illegal Immigration in Pennsylvania
Yesterday, Rep. Metcalfe held a press conference promoting the National Security Starts at Home reform package. The bills would make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to live and…
Media
Read More: Illegal Immigration in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
New Efforts to Address Expiring Rate Caps
Yesterday, Rep. Mike Turzai, along with Rep. Stan Saylor, unveiled a new bill to stabilize electric rates after the expiration of rate caps (Turzai Press…
Media
Read More: New Efforts to Address Expiring Rate CapsGovernment Accountability
House Republican Caucus: Opening the Books
The House Republican Caucus has posted a number of contracts on the Treasurer’s website and announced they will start observing the new Open…
Media
Read More: House Republican Caucus: Opening the BooksTaxes & Economy
Feds Reject Tolls on I-80
It’s official, the Pennyslvania Turnpike Comission’s attempt to toll I-80 has been denied by the Federal Highway Administration. See our news release…
Media
Read More: Feds Reject Tolls on I-80Taxes & Economy
The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private Partnerships
Government officials continue to decry the terrible condition of the state’s roads, but this time real solutions like public-private partnerships are receiving some support. On Monday, the House Transportation Committee…
Media
Read More: The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private PartnershipsTaxes & Economy
Extending Rate Caps is Not the Answer
Yesterday, Govenor Rendell declared he would have “no choice” but to support an extension of the rate caps if the legislature fails to act on rising electricity rates. This…
Media
Read More: Extending Rate Caps is Not the AnswerGovernment Accountability
As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
Media
Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending ContinuesGovernment Accountability
Open the Books on Government Spending
Imagine a website where you could instantly find information about the salary of your legislator or the amount of money your school district spends on textbooks. Think of a database…
Commentary
Read More: Open the Books on Government SpendingTaxes & Economy
Media Coverage of the Turnpike Family Tree
Here is a roundup of news coverage of our Turnpike Family Treeand video: Mark Scolforo has the AP Story, with a retort from Joe Brimmeier:…
Media
Read More: Media Coverage of the Turnpike Family TreeGovernment Accountability
Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?
In early July, the State Treasurer’s office revealed the new PA Contracts e-Library as required by the recent Open Records law. The database posts government contracts and grants in…
Media
Read More: Transparency: A Priority in the Senate?Education
Money, Money, Money
Teachers in Scranton are striking for more money Mid Valley school district officials are being criticized for spending too much money PHEAA is under scrutiny for recklessly…
Media
Read More: Money, Money, MoneyTaxes & Economy
How do you spell relief?
Yesterday the Public Utility Commission released electric price estimates comparing current market prices to current capped rates and highlighting six strategies for mitigating the high cost of electricity. In…
Media
Read More: How do you spell relief?Taxes & Economy
U.S. Congressmen criticizes Pennsylvania’s transportation policies
U.S. Representative John Peterson explains why we should blame poor money managment, not a lack of funds, for the dilapidated state of Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges. Rep. Peterson mentions…
Media
Read More: U.S. Congressmen criticizes Pennsylvania’s transportation policiesTaxes & Economy
Pushed out of the top ten again
The Tax Foundation has released their yearly report ranking the state tax burden for all 50 states. Pennsylvania comes in at number 11 (1 being the worst). PA consistently…
Media
Read More: Pushed out of the top ten againTaxes & Economy
Rising electricity rates and the PUC
The Public Utility Commission published a number of press releases yesterday addressing the expected rise in electricity rates. – The Public Utility Commission finally gave PPL the go ahead…
Media
Read More: Rising electricity rates and the PUCTaxes & Economy
Who’s your cable guy?
For the first time in 30 years Pittsburgh residents will be able to choose who provides their cable. The Post-Gazette reports the city is negotiating a contract that would…
Media
Read More: Who’s your cable guy?Government Accountability
Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy
Pennsylvania and Ohio share more than a border. Both states spend a ton of money on “economic development” while consistently failing to attract new jobs. No wonder elected…
Media
Read More: Legal reform aids Ohio’s economy