Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives
Encyclopedia
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.
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...."
. It is searchable by legislator, keyword, and 50 subject categories. A blog aggregator
displays recent posts from Pennsylvania political and public policy blog
s.
•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
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. The foundation develops and advances public policies based on the nation’s founding principles of limited constitutional government
Limited government
Limited government is a government which anything more than minimal governmental intervention in personal liberties and the economy is generally disallowed by law, usually in a written constitution. It is written in the United States Constitution in Article 1, Section 8...
, economic freedom
Economic freedom
Economic freedom is a term used in economic and policy debates. As with freedom generally, there are various definitions, but no universally accepted concept of economic freedom...
, and personal responsibility for one’s actions.
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."History
The Commonwealth Foundation had its origins at a meeting in Hershey, PennsylvaniaHershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
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
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
" 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...."
PennsylvaniaVotes.org
PennsylvaniaVotes.org describes in layman's language every bill, amendment, and vote that takes place in the Pennsylvania legislaturePennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. It is searchable by legislator, keyword, and 50 subject categories. A blog aggregator
RSS
-Mathematics:* Root-sum-square, the square root of the sum of the squares of the elements of a data set* Residual sum of squares in statistics-Technology:* RSS , "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary", a family of web feed formats...
displays recent posts from Pennsylvania political and public policy blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
s.
PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org
PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org 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