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.
Regulation
Employment for Disabled Workers is Up, but Regulations are Holding Them Back
Lyft, a major ride sharing company, rolled out a feature to make it easier for those who are deaf or hard of hearing to be employed as a driver. The labor…
Media
Read More: Employment for Disabled Workers is Up, but Regulations are Holding Them BackTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business Climate
Pennsylvania’s economy is the most diverse in America. With the release of the latest Bloomberg Economic Diversity Index, Pennsylvania surpassed both Colorado and Texas to claim the top spot. The benefit…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business ClimateState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act Is Commonsense
For over a decade, various lawmakers have introduced Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) legislation to get a handle on Pennsylvania’s out of control budget. This overspending hurts our economy, drives away…
Media
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act Is CommonsenseRegulation
Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor
The founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, believed strong liberty of conscience was essential to a flourishing society. But Pennsylvania’s current slough of sin taxes shrug off Penn’s warning. Pennsylvania’s sin…
Media
Read More: Cigarette Taxes Target the PoorRegulation
Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps Taking
Less than a year ago Pennsylvania’s state government offered Amazon billions in tax incentives to bring its HQ-2 location here. Amazon said no. But, when the commerce giant decided to open…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps TakingTaxes & Economy
Tax Data Agrees, Everyone Wins from Tax Reform
Who benefits from tax reform? That question has been a hot topic since the 2017 passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and the answer is everyone. However,…
Media
Read More: Tax Data Agrees, Everyone Wins from Tax ReformRegulation
Only Six Months in and Pension Reform Is Already Making a Difference
Planting a fruit tree. Saving up for a cruise. Raising kids. Good results take time and patience. That’s definitely been true for pension reform. Passed back in 2017, the impacts…
Media
Read More: Only Six Months in and Pension Reform Is Already Making a DifferenceTaxes & Economy
Heavy Tax Burdens Weigh Down Job Growth
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is expected to create 1.2 million jobs across the country in its first decade. I recently wrote about the ongoing benefits Pennsylvania is reaping thanks…
Media
Read More: Heavy Tax Burdens Weigh Down Job GrowthState Budget
This Year’s Budget Continues Past Trends
The 2019-2020 budget spending bill is on the governor’s desk and lawmakers are claiming it represents an increase of only 1.8 percent over last year. If this were true, it would…
Media
Read More: This Year’s Budget Continues Past TrendsState Budget
State Can Build on Tax Reform Boom
To attract the investment and job creators that will secure our future, we can—and must—do better. Luckily, lawmakers have the blueprint they need to make our state competitive: Control spending…
Commentary
Read More: State Can Build on Tax Reform BoomTaxes & Economy
The RGGI Offers Nothing to Pennsylvania
Media
Read More: The RGGI Offers Nothing to PennsylvaniaState Budget
Future Growth Depends on Today’s Lawmakers
Federal tax cuts made Pennsylvania’s current economic growth possible, but state reform could make it sustainable. Today Pennsylvanians are enjoying $866 million in surplus state revenue, an all-time low unemployment rate,…
Media
Read More: Future Growth Depends on Today’s LawmakersState Budget
Lawmakers Show Signs of Budget Restraint
When state revenues outpace spending there’s always a temptation to spend more—in fact, even when revenues fall short…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Show Signs of Budget RestraintGovernment 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 LightState Budget
Making Bad Investments Won’t Restore PA
Governor Wolf’s Restore PA plan utilizes a natural gas severance tax and borrowing to fund infrastructure improvements. There’s a better way to improve our infrastructure.
Memo
Read More: Making Bad Investments Won’t Restore PAState Budget
Harrisburg’s Notoriously Big Choice
“More money, more problems.” It seems that Pennsylvania lawmakers and The Notorious B.I.G. may have found some common ground. Surplus revenues have been a hot topic since the Independent Fiscal…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg’s Notoriously Big ChoiceState Budget
High Taxes Are Driving Pa.’s ‘Brain Drain’
If life is a highway, then Pennsylvanians are using it to drive to other states. This is especially true for young Pennsylvanians…
Media
Read More: High Taxes Are Driving Pa.’s ‘Brain Drain’State Budget
Federal Tax Reform: A Pennsylvania Gold Rush
After centuries of hopeless panning and prospecting, gold has finally been discovered right here in Harrisburg. The historic find weighs in…
Media
Read More: Federal Tax Reform: A Pennsylvania Gold RushState Budget
Failure to Save Now Means Tax Hikes Later
Anyone who’s had to pinch a few pennies knows this to be true: Failure to save in good years means you’re not prepared for the bad ones. This is a…
Media
Read More: Failure to Save Now Means Tax Hikes Later