Tirzah Duren

Policy Analyst

Tirzah received her bachelor’s of science in anthropology at Eastern Oregon University, and her master’s in international studies at the University of San Francisco. 

A Commonwealth Foundation intern in 2017, Tirzah has also worked at organizations such as the Mercatus Center doing research and data visualization. She is happy to be back working on economic and fiscal policy for the Keystone State.

State Budget

TEL-Tale Heart: Crafting Effective Policies to Reduce Spending

  • Tirzah Duren
  • July 12, 2021

Executive Summary Increases in state spending do not result in greater prosperity for state residents, across an array of measures. In fact, increased state spending can reduce economic growth. Reducing…

Report

Read More: TEL-Tale Heart: Crafting Effective Policies to Reduce Spending

State Budget

Clear the Red Tape to Rebuild a Stronger Pennsylvania

  • Tirzah Duren
  • April 27, 2021

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Wolf repealed regulations to allow our healthcare sector to respond to the evolving crisis. Nonmedical regulatory restrictions—such as permitting cocktails to-go—were also…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Clear the Red Tape to Rebuild a Stronger Pennsylvania

State Budget

Supplemental Appropriations

  • Tirzah Duren
  • March 24, 2021

Supplemental appropriation is another term for overspending. In theory, this practice covers unforeseeable expenses, but it has become a normal part of the state budget process.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Supplemental Appropriations

Corporate Welfare in 3 Charts

  • Tirzah Duren
  • March 4, 2021

The Governor’s Executive budget includes updated estimates for spending on corporate welfare, which is government favoritism of one sector or business over others. This favoritism is disquised under less innocuous…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Corporate Welfare in 3 Charts

State Budget

The Taxpayer Protection Act

  • Tirzah Duren
  • January 21, 2021

KEY POINTS Pennsylvania’s frequent budget deficits are the consequence of chronic overspending. Pennsylvanians pay $4,589 per person in state and local taxes, which equals 10.2 percent of residents’ total…

Backgrounder

Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act

Energy

Energy Shows Why Regulatory Reform is Key

  • Tirzah Duren
  • December 21, 2020

Right now in Pennsylvania —the second-largest energy-producing state behind Texas— Governor Wolf is using executive action to attempt to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This interstate…

Commentary

Read More: Energy Shows Why Regulatory Reform is Key

Liquor Monopoly Can’t Make the PLCB Successful

  • Tirzah Duren
  • December 8, 2020

After closing state stores, the PLCB attempted online sales, but the website was unable to handle the increased traffic. As a “solution,” the PLCB implemented lottery-like randomization to limit online purchases and…

Commentary

Read More: Liquor Monopoly Can’t Make the PLCB Successful

Nurse Practitioners Are the Heroes Our Healthcare Needs

  • Tirzah Duren
  • October 16, 2020

Through HB 100, a pilot program would duplicate this year’s rule suspension within the limits of location- and population-based Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA), a federal designation of provider shortages.

Commentary

Read More: Nurse Practitioners Are the Heroes Our Healthcare Needs

Pennsylvania’s “Great” Economy

  • Tirzah Duren
  • July 27, 2020

The variety of businesses in Pennsylvania manage to function despite the state’s business environment, not because of it.

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania’s “Great” Economy

Health Care

2020: The year of challenges, can be the year of solutions

  • Tirzah Duren
  • June 26, 2020

This year started rough and it isn’t slowing down. While some of these tragedies don’t have a policy solution, many do. One such example is COVID-19, telehealth, and ensuring that our…

Commentary

Read More: 2020: The year of challenges, can be the year of solutions

Health Care

Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 12, 2020

For restaurant owners in Pennsylvania, the new release Too Hot To Handle is more than pure entertainment, the winnings are almost enough for them to purchase an elusive liquor license. …

Commentary

Read More: Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

Health Care

Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Should Always be Crisis Ready

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 6, 2020

COVID-19 has done its part to highlight the weaknesses of Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector. Primarily, what has been revealed is a lack of flexibility, and regulations that make it difficult to…

Report

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Should Always be Crisis Ready