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
Wolf’s Wage Mandates Undermine Workers
Governor Wolf's new overtime pay rules and his sixth minimum wage proposal is a one-two punch that could send our economy reeling.
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Wage Mandates Undermine WorkersTaxes & Economy
Feds Restore Foodstamp Rules: Providing a Pathway to Independence
Pennsylvanians are experiencing the lowest unemployment rates on record and wages are rising, including wages at the lower end of the pay scale. Across the country 16 states have restored…
Media
Read More: Feds Restore Foodstamp Rules: Providing a Pathway to IndependenceEducation
Tuition Scholarships for Harrisburg
With HB 1800, Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) wants to give parents the ability to escape Harrisburg schools without a permission slip from local officials.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Tuition Scholarships for HarrisburgHealth Care
The Administrative Cost of Community Engagement Requirements in Medicaid
This is the first in a series of policy briefs looking at the common objections to implementing community engagement requirements, or work expectations, for healthy adults receiving benefits under Medicaid…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Administrative Cost of Community Engagement Requirements in MedicaidEducation
Protecting Mackenzie’s School
Brad and Emily Moore live in Erie County. They chose to send their oldest daughter to Commonwealth Cyber Charter Academy (CCA). But now her education and the education…
Media
Read More: Protecting Mackenzie’s SchoolTaxes & Economy
The Not-So Secret Trick to Raise Kids out of Poverty
Innassa, a Pittsburgh native, was a stay-at-home mom for her two sons while her husband worked. Then, he got injured—and three surgeries later, still hasn’t recovered. “He’s talking and can…
Media
Read More: The Not-So Secret Trick to Raise Kids out of PovertyHealth Care
Sen. Martin Introduces Bill to Protect Safety Net
Steve Blazer of Surge Staffing is taking an unusual approach to filling hundreds of open warehouse positions: attending job fairs at state prisons. Steve’s struggle to find workers is…
Media
Read More: Sen. Martin Introduces Bill to Protect Safety NetTaxes & Economy
The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem
In 2012, lawmakers ended a small cash welfare program called General Assistance. Despite all the recent Democratic hubbub, none of the members actually tried to restart the program through the…
Media
Read More: The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty ProblemRegulation
No More Food Stamps for Millionaires
Leroy Fick won $2 million playing the Michigan lottery. He bought a new home and a costly car, all while collecting taxpayer-funded food stamps. Fick and stories like his…
Media
Read More: No More Food Stamps for MillionairesTaxes & Economy
The Truth About Wages
There is one undoubted truth in debates about wages: everyone wants them to go up. Unfortunately, lawmakers can’t force everyone’s wage to increase, unless they are willing to destroy tens…
Media
Read More: The Truth About WagesGovernment Accountability
The Shadow Budget Comes to Light
The shadow budget is coming into the light in an unlikely way this…
Media
Read More: The Shadow Budget Comes to LightCriminal Justice Reform
Four Ways Lawmakers Are Setting Up Pa. For Success
Freedom and opportunity are on the move in the Keystone State. In the past week, lawmakers have taken four serious strides for the families and business owners of Pennsylvania. We’re…
Media
Read More: Four Ways Lawmakers Are Setting Up Pa. For SuccessState Budget
Protecting Pa.’s Future: The Taxpayer Protection Act
Pennsylvanians currently owe more than $128 billion in state and local debt—an astounding $10,015 for every man, woman, and child. Yet, our state government is raking in more revenue from…
Media
Read More: Protecting Pa.’s Future: The Taxpayer Protection ActRegulation
House Tackles Pa.’s Heavy Regulatory Burden
Despite record low unemployment and rising wages, three-quarters of Pennsylvania counties have lost residents to other counties and states. Why? One key factor is our poor business climate. According…
Media
Read More: House Tackles Pa.’s Heavy Regulatory BurdenHealth Care
Work Requirements Can Help Solve Pa.’s Workforce Challenges
The mismatch between job openings, workers’ skills, and workers’ expectations is a hot topic in the national and state media. As our CEO Charles Mitchell pointed out…
Media
Read More: Work Requirements Can Help Solve Pa.’s Workforce ChallengesState Budget
Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the Economy
Revenue collections are $400 million above projections. Next year’s budget should be easy to balance. Instead, lawmakers are looking at a projected $1.7 billion deficit. Why? Pennsylvania continues…
Memo
Read More: Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the EconomyHealth Care
Arkansas Latest to Demonstrate Power of Work Over Poverty
Once again, incomes are rising, tax revenue is up, and welfare enrollment is shrinking thanks to work requirements. A recent analysis from the Foundation for Government Accountability finds Arkansas’s…
Media
Read More: Arkansas Latest to Demonstrate Power of Work Over PovertyPublic Union Democracy
Worker Sues for Right to Resign from SEIU
Francisco Molina has a simple expectation of public sector unions: “They are supposed to help us, represent us, not hurt us.” After he got his dream job helping children at…
Media
Read More: Worker Sues for Right to Resign from SEIUHealth Care
Federal Food Stamp Fix Good Fit for Pa.
Jobs and money form the foundation of many a New Year’s resolution. Now, due to proposed federal SNAP (food stamp) changes, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians could experience a brighter…
Media
Read More: Federal Food Stamp Fix Good Fit for Pa.Criminal Justice Reform
Smart on Crime Reforms in 2017-18
“If it's failed policy, we should have the courage to leave it and let it go.” This poignant quote from former Senator Stewart Greenleaf encapsulates the essence of recent…
Media
Read More: Smart on Crime Reforms in 2017-18Health Care
Affordable Care Act Struggles Continue: Sarah’s Health Care Story
Sarah is a social service worker from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where she and her husband also homeschool their four young children. For four years her family received insurance through Medicaid.
Media
Read More: Affordable Care Act Struggles Continue: Sarah’s Health Care Story