Commonwealth Insight

Why did Coronavirus hit nursing homes the hardest? Was our healthcare system prepared? What's keeping Pennsylvanians from getting better, more flexible care? We sat down with the President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association Zach Shamberg, to discuss the state of our health care before, during and after coronavirus. Zach brings a uniquely personal perspective to the health care field as an advocate for the elderly and their healthcare providers.

The stock market and many big businesses are enjoying the sugar high of massive government stimulus. But at the state level, government lifelines are being overrun. Small businesses are in danger of mass closures. Tens of thousands of people still haven't received unemployment compensation. And no one seems to know what's next. Our V.P. Nate Benefield discusses where thing stand and how to starting moving toward rebuilding Pennsylvania's economy. 

In a school district fraught with controversy, and at a time defined by COVID-19, one charter school has broken through boundaries to become a community landmark and an innovative education alternative. We sat down with Tamara Allen-Thomas, the Principal of Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship talk all things charters, education, and what makes their school truly unique. 

Police unions are the subject of nation-wide criticism and reform efforts nowadays. The gulf between their focus on protecting members at all costs and the good of the community at large has been the focus of intelligent debate. But this issue is not just a police union issue. It's common among all government unions. In this episode we chat with Nathan McGrath, the President of the non-profit pro bono law firm The Fairness Center, about the many ways government unions are facing legal issues and what life looks like for them 2 years after the landmark Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court case. 

The Pa. General Assembly passed a resolution to end Gov. Wolf's COVID-19 disaster declaration. Wolf vowed not to abide the resolution. Now, the legislature and Wolf are suing each other over the future of Wolf's shutdown and reopening orders. Our VP Nate Benefield breaks all of this down and discusses what happens if either side wins.  

Jason Malumed of MFW Wine Co. is a wine distributor in Pa. who is suing the Pa. Liquor Control Board (PLCB). The PLCB is one of the nation's two state-run liquor monopolies. We discuss why he decided to sue, how the PLCB affects businesses, and why so many small business owners are fearful of the state's behemoth liquor monopoly.

What should lawmakers be focused on for the state budget during coronavirus? Our Director of Policy dives into what legislators should be thinking about to help heal Pennsylvania.

Why has Gov. Wolf chosen to not be transparent during an emergency? The controversy has started to define his management of the emergency as questions about his decision making mount.

In recent weeks the Pa. Legislature has passed several bills that counter Gov. Wolf's approach to the shutdown. Is this ghastly partisanship or integral to good government? Our V.P. Steve Bloom dives in and also looks ahead to post-COVID policy debates.

As unemployment in Pennsylvania is approaching 20%, the State Legislature passed SB 613. The bill would implement a more fair and transparent business shutdown than Gov. Wolf's haphazard and confusing order. Commonwealth Foundation's Director of Policy discusses.

Education is not what it was two months ago. From parents to politicians, everyone is grappling with how to keep kids lives and schooling just a bit normal. Our education policy experts dive into how that's happening...and sometimes not happening in the Keystone State.

How is state government reacting to the coronavirus? And what can the Legislature do to help alleviate the pain Pennsylvania is enduring?

Are entrepreneurs peddling in obscene greed or are they visionaries who benefit our society? And how does entrepreneurship connect to politics and policy? Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Charles Mitchell clears things up.

The state budget outlines many of the most important policy decisions our state government makes. Gov. Wolf recently proposed his 2020/21 budget. In this episode, Commonwealth Foundation V.P. Nathan Benefield gives his analysis and commentary.

Lenny McAllister of Commonwealth Foundation explains why school choice matters so much to families of all backgrounds and how it can bring about a true sense of educational equity in our state.

Happy New Year! We're kicking off this year with a conversation on how people and organizations manage to profit off of government regulations. Commonwealth Foundation V.P. Nathan Benefield came on to explain a theory dubbed "Bootleggers and Baptists."https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/policyblog/detail/how-to-make-an-easy-six-million

The Pennsylvania Legislature is in the midst of debating a momentous group of criminal justice reform bills. What will they do? Why do they matter? And why do we think they should be passed and signed by the Governor? Commonwealth Foundation Manager of Policy Research Jessica Barnett explains.

Over the summer, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced a series of executive orders aimed at charter schools. His orders don't necessarily address the issues most agree need to be addressed. Instead, he has stirred up a contentious debate. At the heart of the debate are numerous myths surrounding charter schools. Are they "expensive?" Are they not performing well? Are district schools being financially impacted? Commonwealth Foundation V.P. and COO Nathan Benefield comes on the first episode of our podcast reboot to debunk the most common myths about Pa. Charters.