- Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives
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Commonwealth Foundation 
Motto Limited Government, Unlimited Opportunity Formation 1988 Type Public policy think tank Location Harrisburg, PA Region served Pennsylvania President Matthew J. Brouillette Website www.commonwealthfoundation.org The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-profit research and educational institute based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The foundation develops and advances public policies based on the nation’s founding principles of limited constitutional government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility for one’s actions.
Contents
Mission
The Commonwealth Foundation describes itself as "an independent, non-profit research and educational institute that develops and advances public policies based on the nation’s founding principles of limited constitutional government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility for one’s actions."[1]
History
The Commonwealth Foundation had its origins at a meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania in June 1987 when T. William Boxx and the late Alex G. McKenna were introduced to Don Eberly. Alex and William had been discussing for some time the possibility of launching a state-based think tank for Pennsylvania.
The Commonwealth Foundation was incorporated on September 14, 1987. The term "Commonwealth" was included in the name because it symbolized the intent to represent the common good and reflected the official status of the state. "Public Policy Alternatives" was included to express the foundation's intent to provide an alternative policy agenda to that chosen by the Pennsylvania legislature.
At the first organization meeting, Alex McKenna expressed his vision for the Commonwealth Foundation. He stated that it was "to be an independent public policy organization not associated with any special interest...should act as policy entrepreneurs willing to take on the hard issues...produce scholarly and professional research from the perspective of enhancing economic growth, individual opportunity and political accountability...[and] look to free market private sector solutions...."[2]
Projects
PennsylvaniaVotes.org
PennsylvaniaVotes.org [3] describes in layman's language every bill, amendment, and vote that takes place in the Pennsylvania legislature. It is searchable by legislator, keyword, and 50 subject categories. A blog aggregator displays recent posts from Pennsylvania political and public policy blogs.
PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org
PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org [4] is a public education effort aimed at the elimination of wasteful state spending and making Pennsylvania's state and local tax burden -- the 11th heaviest in the nation -- tolerable. The campaign features PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org -- a cutting-edge Web site where taxpayers can: •Learn the facts about Pennsylvania's fiscal mismanagement. •Email their legislators. •Send a video message to the Governor. •Sign an e-petition to Gov. Rendell and the Legislature to eliminate waste and cut taxes. •Receive a bumper sticker bearing the rallying cry Please, No More Taxes! •Watch videos from contest winners
SchoolChoiceSaves.org
SchoolChoiceSaves.org [5] provides information on school choice options in Pennsylvania, emphasizing academic performance and taxpayer savings. Areas of focus include Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), charter schools, cyber schools, home schooling, Property Tax Relief Scholarship Act (PTRSA), and pre-kindergarten.
Ten Minute Citizen
A Ten-Minute Citizen recognizes the need to invest 10 minutes a day, six days a week to protect freedom. You don’t have to quit your job; you don’t even have to leave your home. You just have to commit to becoming a Ten-Minute Citizen! What must a Ten-Minute Citizen do to make a difference? [6]
SchoolBoardTransparency.org
SchoolBoardTransparency.org [7] is an effort to provide greater transparency in school district labor negotiations. The website offers insight and advice in the labor negotiations process for school boards and citizens. The site also provides regular posts on issues, news, and best practices in school district labor negotiations, and allows users to comment and create posts on a moderated blog.
TurnpikeFacts.com
TurnpikeFacts.com [8] focuses on the politics, patronage and corruption at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/mission
- ^ T. William Boxx, "The Origins of the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives," CommonwealthSense, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2008.
- ^ http://www.pennsylvaniavotes.org
- ^ http://www.pleasenomoretaxes.org
- ^ http://www.schoolchoicesaves.org
- ^ http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/projects/page/10-minute-citizen
- ^ http://www.schoolboardtransparency.org
- ^ http://www.turnpikefacts.com
External links
Categories:- Political and economic think tanks in the United States
- Non-profit organizations based in Pennsylvania
- Organizations established in 1988
- Government of Pennsylvania
- Libertarian think tanks
- Libertarian organizations based in the United States
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