Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives is a think tank based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[4] It develops and advances fiscally conservative and libertarian public policies.[5][6] The organization's stated mission is to "transform free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish."[7]

This article is about the Pennsylvania think tank. For the London-based organization, see Commonwealth Foundation.
Commonwealth Foundation
Formation1987
TypePublic policy think tank
Location
  • 225 State Street
    Harrisburg, PA
Region served
Pennsylvania
President
Charles Mitchell[1]
Chairman
George Coates[2]
Revenue (2015)
$2,113,078[3]
Expenses (2015)$2,734,578[3]
Websitewww.commonwealthfoundation.org

History

The Commonwealth Foundation was founded in 1987 by Don Eberly.[8] Matthew Brouillette was hired as the organization's president in February 2002. At the time, the organization had three employees and $350,000 in annual revenue. In April 2016, Brouillette announced he was stepping down from his position. During his tenure, the organization grew to have 18 employees and an annual budget of more than $4 million with offices in Harrisburg and King of Prussia. Charles Mitchell replaced Brouillette as the organization's president and CEO.[9]

Jane Leader Janeczek, a registered Democrat and the daughter of former Pennsylvania Democratic Governor George M. Leader, became the Commonwealth Foundation's board chair in 2016. She became involved with the Commonwealth Foundation due to the organization's work on prison reform. In a column announcing her election as the organization's chairwoman, she wrote: "As my father and I — both lifelong Democrats — became more familiar with the work of the Commonwealth Foundation, we found not one policy proposal with which we disagreed. Whether prison reform to fix an ailing system, pension reform to put our state on solid financial footing, or paycheck protection to respect the use of taxpayer dollars, the Commonwealth Foundation's proposals represent common-sense policies."[10]

Activities

Commonwealth is active in policy areas such as criminal justice reform, school choice, and the Pennsylvania state budget. Commonwealth supports comprehensive criminal justice reforms focusing state resources on violent offenders and helping non-violent offenders who have served their sentences to reintegrate into society.[11][12] The Commonwealth Foundation is a frequent commentator on public school reform; advocating for school choice through increased charter schools and tax credits for scholarships.[13][14][15][16][17]

The group "advocates for small government and market-based solutions"[18] such as supporting the privatization of Pennsylvania's state-run liquor stores.[19] The organization also supported former Democratic Governor Ed Rendell's proposal to privatize or lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.[20] The group was nominated for the Atlas Network's Templeton Freedom Award for its work in support of pension reform in the state.[21]

References
  1. Scott, Jason (April 12, 2016). "Commonwealth Foundation names new president, CEO". Central Penn Business Journal. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. "People on the Move: George Coates". Philadelphia Business Journal. October 16, 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  3. "Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Form 990" (PDF). Foundation Center. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  4. Scott, Jason (January 16, 2010). "A look at the track records of local legislators". The Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  5. Warner, Dave (April 10, 2011). "Harrisburg-area think tanks influence policies". The Patriot News. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  6. McQuade, Dan (October 15, 2014). "Commonwealth Foundation to Demonstrate at Schools Protest". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  7. "What is CF?". Commonwealth Foundation. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  8. Dionne, Jr., E.J.; Daly, Lew (2010). God's Economy: Faith-Based Initiatives and the Caring State. ReadHowYouWant.com. p. 167. ISBN 9781459605879.
  9. Scott, Jason (April 5, 2016). "CEO of Commonwealth Foundation stepping down in June". Central Penn Business Journal. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  10. Leader Janeczek, Jane (June 6, 2016). "How Democratic Gov. Leader's daughter shed party labels". York Daily Record. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  11. Prose, J. D. "Bartolotta credits 'meaningful public policy reforms' with reducing state inmate population". The Times. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  12. Pennsylvania, The Center Square- (2019-12-12). "Lawmakers Advance Bills Designed To Revamp PA's Criminal Justice Policies". LevittownNow.com. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  13. politics, George F. Will. "Opinion | Elizabeth Warren's misguided approach to charter schools". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  14. "1,000+ Attendees Expected at Pennsylvania School Choice Coalition Rally". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  15. Shamlin III, Wilford (February 20, 2015). "Charter school vote draws criticism". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  16. Shannon, Anne (2020-02-05). "Wolf responds to Trump's criticism of record on school choice". WGAL. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  17. Richards, Erin. "Trump's State of the Union school choice scholarship would be paid by Betsy DeVos. One Philadelphia girl would benefit". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  18. Square, Dave Lemery | The Center. "Pennsylvania Republican leaders question Gov. Wolf's commitment to fiscal responsibility in budget address". The Center Square. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  19. Gleiter, Sue. "Commonwealth Foundation releases poll showing voters support liquor privatization in Pennsylvania". The Patriot-News. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  20. Lieberman, Brett (December 11, 2007). "Just the facts, ma'am". The Patriot News. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  21. Network, Atlas (2018-10-18). "The Commonwealth Foundation of Pennsylvania Named Finalist For Atlas Network's 2018 Templeton Freedom Award For Pension Reform Efforts". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2020-03-06.

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