Elizabeth Stelle

Director of Policy Analysis

Elizabeth Stelle is the Director of Policy Analysis at the Commonwealth Foundation.

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

Making the Most of Philadelphia’s Upswing

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2017

Last week I blogged about Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s misplaced confidence in government energy mandates to grow the Steel City. On the other side of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney…

Media

Read More: Making the Most of Philadelphia’s Upswing

Regulation

Gov. Wolf Signs Historic Pension Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 13, 2017

Yesterday Governor Wolf signed transformative pension reform. SB 1 will establish a side-by-side hybrid plan for new employees, greatly reducing taxpayer risk and laying the foundation for further reform.

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf Signs Historic Pension Reform

Health Care

Saving Medicaid

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 9, 2017

Obamacare proponents insist the American Health Care Act (AHCA) will cut $800 billion from Medicaid and jeopardize care for the disabled and children. This claim is oft-repeated, but it is patently false.

Media

Read More: Saving Medicaid

Regulation

Can Environmental Mandates Reverse Pittsburgh’s Decline?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 6, 2017

President Trump summed up his opposition to the Paris Climate Accord by saying he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. In response, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto issued an…

Media

Read More: Can Environmental Mandates Reverse Pittsburgh’s Decline?

Regulation

Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 6, 2017

Pennsylvania’s $71 billion unfunded pension liability is unsustainable for taxpayers and puts public employees at risk. Without timely reform, pension payments will crowd out funding for other services, property taxes will…

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

Regulation

5 Reasons to Enact Pension Reform Now

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 4, 2017

Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformative pension reform. Under SB 1, new school teachers and state employees, including new lawmakers and judges, would automatically be enrolled in a…

Media

Read More: 5 Reasons to Enact Pension Reform Now

Regulation

Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 26, 2017

Pennsylvania’s $71 billion unfunded pension liability is unsustainable for taxpayers and puts public employees at risk. Without timely reform, pension payments will crowd out funding for other services, property taxes…

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania

Taxes & Economy

Moving From Welfare to Work

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 24, 2017

Last week state house lawmakers gathered to gain a better understanding of the challenges people face when moving from the welfare system to work. Chief among those challenges is a…

Media

Read More: Moving From Welfare to Work

Health Care

Obamacare Repeal Could Strengthen Medicaid

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 10, 2017

There is no shortage of dire warnings from the press, medical industry lobbyists, and other left-leaning organizations about the American Health Care Act's (AHCA) landmark Medicaid reforms. At the…

Media

Read More: Obamacare Repeal Could Strengthen Medicaid

Health Care

Five Pre-Existing Condition Myths Debunked

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 9, 2017

What happens when Obamacare mandates drive insurance companies out of the marketplace? One breast cancer survivor in Maricopa County, Arizona—which lost all but one Obamacare…

Media

Read More: Five Pre-Existing Condition Myths Debunked

Government Accountability

Paycheck Protection Closes Corruption Loophole

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 8, 2017

Philly Corruption All-Stars, that's the title of the recent Philadelphia Citizen series featuring a decade-by-decade rundown of the most corrupt city politicians. Philadelphia and Pennsylvania's reputation for political corruption…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection Closes Corruption Loophole

Health Care

Latest Obamacare Repeal Effort Full of Opportunity

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 5, 2017

As the past seven years have shown, no one in Congress is qualified to make healthcare decisions for Pennsylvanians. The latest version of the American Health Care Act will give…

Media

Read More: Latest Obamacare Repeal Effort Full of Opportunity

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Self-Inflicted Lobotomy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 3, 2017

Every day, 36 college graduates flee Pennsylvania for better opportunities in other states, according to a new Independent Fiscal Office trends report. Overall, there was a net outflow of…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Self-Inflicted Lobotomy

Education

Ten Reasons for Optimism

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 28, 2017

This week state lawmakers advanced a plethora of good policy, from legislation to finally end the government liquor monopoly to a bill that would improve health care in rural areas.

Media

Read More: Ten Reasons for Optimism

After Obamacare: Myths & Facts

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 27, 2017

Will people lose insurance? Will hospitals lose money? Are jobs going to be lost?  The truth of Obamacare repeal is more optimistic. …

Commentary

Read More: After Obamacare: Myths & Facts

Health Care

A New Wave of Welfare Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 26, 2017

Governors across the country are proposing game-changing welfare reforms and Pennsylvania should follow their example. Yesterday, Maine submitted a waiver to the federal government asking for permission…

Media

Read More: A New Wave of Welfare Reform

Regulation

Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 21, 2017

Zippo’s recent retirement plan transition is another example of why Pennsylvania state government should do the same. As Zippo CFO Don Hall said, defined contribution plans like 401(k)s carry…

Media

Read More: Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions

Health Care

Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral Imperative

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 17, 2017

Note: This op-ed was originally published in the Lancaster LNP. Do you know someone who desperately needs medical care but can’t access it? Few things are more heartbreaking. Helping people…

Media

Read More: Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral Imperative

Health Care

7 Ways to Fix Health Care on the 7th Anniversary of Obamacare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2017

Seven years ago, Obamacare became the law of the land. Later today, the US House is scheduled to vote on a controversial repeal and replace bill. While the outcome in Washington…

Media

Read More: 7 Ways to Fix Health Care on the 7th Anniversary of Obamacare

Regulation

Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 16, 2017

The state Senate is preparing to introduce a pension reform bill nearly identical to the compromise bill that fell three House votes short last fall.  Senator Pat Browne and Majority…

Media

Read More: Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

Health Care

Policy Points: After ObamaCare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 13, 2017

Obamacare increased the number of people holding insurance cards but failed to increase access to quality and affordable health services. It’s time to put patients, not government bureaucrats, in charge…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Policy Points: After ObamaCare