Brews & Views: Recent Episodes
Commonwealth Partners
Good coffee. Good conversation! Get to know Pennsylvania’s political players and policymakers with host Matt Brouillette, president and CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs.
From skewing the news to fit a narrative, to spewing flat-out falsehoods, media headlines too often paint a one-sided picture. This episode looks at some headline hit jobs while setting the record straight on the real stories. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that originally appeared at Broad & Liberty (www.broadandliberty.com).
What happens when a Philadelphia Democrat lawmaker dares to defy the teachers' unions by voting to help kids escape failing schools? Let's just say the unions don't take it lightly. Listen to this episode to hear how Rep. Amen Brown faced backlash after voting in favor of Lifeline Scholarships.
Elon Musk’s recent move to buy Twitter has caused both elation and panic, depending on whom you ask. But at its root, Musk’s move shows the power of entrepreneurship to shape American culture. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed on the topic by Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs President and CEO Matt Brouillette.
From defending Gov. Wolf's business shutdowns to backing PA's entrance into the job-destroying Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro has some baggage when it comes to running for governor this November. But even before he gets there, Shapiro may have another problem in the May primary election: state Rep. and Lt. Gov. candidate Brian Sims. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed on the topic by Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette.
As Democrat attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro makes TikTok videos, Philadelphia hit record high homicides last year. If Shapiro wants to convince Pennsylvanian’s he’s standing up for them, he should be prioritizing the things that matter most. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that originally appeared at Broad + Liberty.
Do you feel that America is losing sight of the values that make her unique? Abhi Samuel, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement at Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, knows what it’s like to grow up in a socialist nation. He recently outlined three opportunities we have to show courage and reclaim American values. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that Abhi wrote on the topic. The piece originally appeared at Broad + Liberty.
As Vladimir Putin continues his brutal attacks on Ukraine, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf persists in his anti-energy policy that’s helping keep the world dependent on Russian gas. Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette recently explained in an op-ed how Wolf’s green agenda is fueling Putin’s war. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.
In this episode, we take a look at former Pennsylvania state lawmakers who ran afoul of the law, but are still getting taxpayer-backed pension payments for life. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed that originally appeared at Broad + Liberty.
When it comes to transparency, what's unsaid is often more important than what's said. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed in which we dive into Covid hospitalization data that Gov. Wolf's administration says it doesn't have, as well as the context that's missing when we talk about overwhelmed hospitals.
After the latest U.S. census, Pennsylvania is losing yet another congressional seat. Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette recently wrote an op-ed looking at how Gov. Tom Wolf’s policies are driving families, business, and jobs out of Pennsylvania and how this November, voters will have the opportunity to chart a new course. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.
Recently, New York and New Jersey released data on how many patients were hospitalized “with” Covid vs. “for” Covid. But to date, Pennsylvania has not disclosed similar data. Instead, the PA Department of Health continues to release numbers without context. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed on this lack of context from Gov. Tom Wolf's administration.
Disney World is fun, but Pennsylvania has its own fantasy world in the form of Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s campaign for governor. Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs' political director, Jeremy Baker, recently had an op-ed in Broad + Liberty diving into Josh’s Wonderland and explaining why it’s one fantasy we should all hope never become reality. This episode is an audio version of that commentary.
Between “Stop the Steal” activists and “Big Lie” critics, it’s become difficult to have a civil conversation over election reform. But, it turns out that calls for many reforms have been both longstanding and bipartisan. Commonwealth Partners Board Member and entrepreneur Rob Shearer explained in an op-ed what a Democrat-led audit of Pennsylvania's voter registry found, and how a Republican-led election reform package is the solution. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro likes to present himself as the champion of the little guy. But thanks to Shapiro, thousands of Pennsylvania landowners lost out on tens of millions of dollars in royalty payments from one of the nation’s largest natural gas companies. In this episode, we take a look at how Shapiro’s determination to target natural gas companies translated into a big loss for thousands of Pennsylvanians. This episode is an audio version of a commentary that originally appeared in Broad + Liberty.
This November, Pennsylvania voters will elect four judges to our three statewide appellate courts. In this episode, we break down the difference between our state’s appellate courts, the types of cases each hears, and how these courts can impact our lives.
This episode is an audio version of a commentary that originally appeared at www.broadandliberty.com.
Since taking office as PA Attorney General, Josh Shapiro has issued more than 990 press releases—or one every 1.67 days. But while he says a lot, many questions remain unanswered. As Shapiro has set his sights on becoming Pennsylvania’s next governor, here are some of the many questions Pennsylvanians deserve to have answered. This episode is an audio version of a commentary on this topic.
What happens when judges who are supposed to be fair and impartial instead consistently issue rulings that align with the special interests that elected them? Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette recently authored an op-ed looking at partisan rulings by Pennsylvania's state Supreme Court – and noting what voters can do to protect the impartiality of our judiciary. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.
Pa. State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York County) joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about the recently enacted state budget and the state's chronic overspending problem.
A lie repeated often enough can begin to sound credible, In this episode, we look at some of the hottest lies emanating from Harrisburg today. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed by Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette.
With calls coming from both sides of the aisle for changes to Pennsylvania's election laws, House State Government Committee Chair Seth Grove dives into the latest on his committee’s work on comprehensive election reform. What’s been reviewed? What problems have been discovered? And what’s ahead when it comes to improving our election processes?
Are Pennsylvania’s public schools underfunded? Commonwealth Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Colleen Hroncich joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to take a hard look at several myths surrounding public school funding and to set the record straight.
The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, founded by former President Barack Obama and his former Attorney General Eric Holder, claims to want fair congressional maps. But that claim is far from accurate. Here’s the story of how this committee is working not for fairness but for pure Democrat control—and how they’re willing to use even the most undemocratic means to get there.
Tune in as Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs Political Director Jeremy Baker outlines our endorsements in the Pennsylvania judicial primary elections and why we are recommending "YES" votes on two proposed constitutional amendments to restore a legislative check and balance on a governor's emergency powers.
In late April, 2021, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf abruptly withdrew all his pending nominations to lead key state agencies. In a recent op-ed, Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette explored the implications of Wolf’s move, which canceled Senate confirmation hearings, shielding his appointees from public questioning. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.
CHANNELLOCK® President and CEO Jon DeArment, who is also on our board of Trustees at Commonwealth Partners, recently wrote an op-ed on how Gov. Wolf shutdown his business last year and why he’s urging Pennsylvanians to vote yes on two proposed constitutional amendments so no one’s livelihood is again deemed non-essential. This episode is an audio version of that op-ed.
If you work with hand tools, you probably have a pair of CHANNELLOCK® pliers. CHANNELLOCK® President and CEO Jon DeArment joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to discuss how Gov. Wolf shut down his business last year and to encourage Pennsylvanians to vote yes on two proposed constitutional amendments that would protect businesses against future shutdowns by restoring a legislative check and balance on a governor’s emergency powers.
In the past three years, a left-wing group called Pennsylvania Fund for Change has raised $9.8 million and spent nearly all of it trying to defeat state legislative Republicans. They're particularly fond of targeting Republicans who side with government unions. This is ironic, given where Fund for Change gets its money; namely, from government unions and trial lawyers. We take a look at how politicians are betrayed by their union "friends."
Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson is running for Pennsylvania Supreme Court this year. Judge Brobson recently sat down with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to share more about his background, how he became interested in public service, and why he’s running for the state’s highest court.
As the COVID pandemic emerged last year, Gov. Wolf promised his decisions would be “data-driven”. But his Department of Health recently revealed that Wolf’s travel restrictions were unsupported by any data. This episode is an audio version of an op-ed by Commonwealth Partners Public Affairs Director Gina Diorio detailing this latest revelation.
From Gov. Tom Wolf's administration's policy requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, to Pennsylvanians' inability to reach the Department of Labor for months on end, state Rep. Natalie Mihalek has been asking public officials the hard questions. Are they giving her good answers? Listen to find out.
Sen. Kim Ward made history by becoming the first female majority leader in the history of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. She sat down with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about her path into politics, Gov. Wolf's latest tax hike plan, and the proposed constitutional amendments voters will soon vote on.
Recently, PA Gov. Tom Wolf has upped his push to legalize recreational marijuana. And it’s actually politically savvy! After all, Wolf's policies throughout COVID have been such a disaster that he’d hardly want to talk about them. This episode is an audio version of a commentary by Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette on this very topic.
Education in the age of COVID has left students and parents frustrated to say the least. PA Senate Education Committee Chair Senator Scott Martin joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to share how the Senate is taking bold action to deliver better educational opportunity to kids and families across Pennsylvania. (Check out Episode 34 to hear more about Sen. Martin's background and path to the state Legislature.)
In his 2021 budget address, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf asked for more than $1 billion in additional funding for public schools—even schools that are physically closed. In this episode, Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette says it’s time to do right by our kids by empowering parents to exercise control in sending their children to the school that’s best for them. This episode is an audio version of a commentary authored by Matt Brouillette and published in multiple media outlets across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania's Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf just proposed a $3 billion tax hike on working families, but he's calling it a...wait for it...tax cut? The Commonwealth Foundation's Nathan Benefield breaks down the spin and tells just how much more a family of four would pay under Wolf's plan.
Lawmakers are advancing several proposed amendments to the Pennsylvania constitution, including one providing that the Legislature must approve the extension of a disaster declaration after the initial 21 days and one establishing judicial districts for electing judges to statewide appellate courts. Rep. Seth Grove joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to take a deeper look at both these proposed amendments and more.
PA State Rep. Greg Rothman, who also chairs the state's House Republican Campaign Committee, reflects on the GOP's legislative wins in 2020 and looks ahead to the topic that will be front-and-center in 2021: redistricting.
Incoming state Senator Devlin Robinson defeated incumbent Democrat Sen. Pam Iovino in Nov. 2020, flipping the 37th Senate seat in Allegheny and Washington counties from blue to red. Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette speaks with Devlin about his background as a Marine Corps veteran who served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, his path to becoming a small businessman, and his priorities in the state Senate.
For those of us who grew up in the United States, it can be easy to take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. But when we experience these freedoms through the eyes of someone who knows what it's like not to have them, our perspective can change. Abhi Samuel, who serves as Director of Entrepreneur Engagement for Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, has such a story of growing up under socialism. He shares it in this episode.
In perhaps the biggest upset of the 2020 elections in Pennsylvania, Republican Carrie DelRosso defeated Democrat House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, who had been in office for nearly 30 years. Shortly after the election, Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette spoke with Carrie about her motivation for running and her priorities as an incoming lawmaker.
Lenny McAllister is a name well known in Pennsylvania and beyond. As the new CEO of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, Lenny joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about his passion for expanding educational opportunity for children across Pennsylvania and how his organization is doing just that.
From fighting overseas as a Captain in the United States Army to fighting in Harrisburg so kids can get a better education, Pennsylvania State Senator Ryan Aument traveled a unique path to the Legislature. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette, Sen. Aument shares how he became interested in public service and how he’s currently working to expand educational opportunity in Pennsylvania.
As the economy slowly reopens, businesses small and large are under significant threat of COVID related lawsuits, even when they do everything right. Curt Schroder, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform, talks with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette about how lawmakers can protect businesses that are acting responsibly and following health and safety guidelines against potential ruin at the hands of trial attorneys looking to take advantage of the COVID crisis.
Pennsylvania has not had a Republican Auditor General in decades. Tim DeFoor wants to change that. With 25 years of experience in fraud investigations and auditing, Tim is passionate about bringing transparency to government. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette, Tim talks about how he chose his career path and what he would do as Pennsylvania's next Auditor General.
PA GOP Chair and election attorney Lawrence Tabas joins Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about mail-in voting in this key swing state, and why election results may not be known until well after Election Day.
Capitalism has been accused of many ills over the years, but is it guilty as charged? In this episode, Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs President and CEO Matt Brouillette talks about lessons learned from the Jamestown settlement's economic experience. He shares how capitalism has proven to be the best antidote to poverty and explains why capitalism works--and capit'O'lism doesn't.
Have we forgotten the true purpose of public education? As the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the educational landscape, more and more parents are considering options other than traditional brick-and-mortar public schools for their children. Now more than ever, we should revisit the original purpose of public education—and reclaim our education system for that purpose. In this episode, Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette, a former middle school and high school history teacher, shares an audio version of a piece he wrote several years ago called "Reclaiming Public Education."
It’s not every lawmaker who can say his district includes the Grand Canyon—Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, that is. But Rep. Clint Owlett (Tioga, Bradford, & Potter counties) can make that claim. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Owlett shares why he considers himself an entrepreneur at heart and discusses his proposed “Back on Track” legislation, which would use a portion of Pennsylvania’s federal CARES Act Funding to create education scholarship accounts for students whose education was disrupted by the COVID pandemic.
In late June, 2020, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued a scathing Grand Jury report taking aim at Pennsylvania's natural gas industry. But the report was more anti-natural gas politics than fact. Marcellus Shale Coalition President Dave Spigelmyer joins Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette to set the record straight and correct some of the more egregious falsities in the report.
Pennsylvania's newly elected House Speaker Bryan Cutler discusses his path from Majority Whip to Majority Leader to Speaker of the House. He also shares his thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the state Legislature’s priorities and why some of those who supported him for Speaker actually wanted him to remain Majority Leader. For a more personal conversation in which Speaker Cutler describes his background and how he persevered after tragically losing both his parents at a young age, listen to Brews & Views Episode 7.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf assured Pennsylvanians his decisions would be driven by data and science. But as “flatten the curve” slowly turned into “flatten the economy,” it became clear Gov. Wolf’s science of choice was political. Now, however, political science has given way to “affective science,” as Wolf’s rhetoric has shifted toward whether everyone should “feel” comfortable. Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette recently addressed the shift in an op-ed. This is an audio version of that piece.
Public sector unions are supposed to represent their workers, but where can workers go when they’ve been mistreated by union officials? In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Nathan McGrath, president and general counsel of The Fairness Center, explains how this non-profit public interest law firm helps workers who often have nowhere else to turn. Nathan also gives the latest update on where Pennsylvania labor law stands as we near the two-year anniversary of the landmark Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Among the many things Pennsylvanians saw throughout Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown of the economy during COVID, the disaster of the state-run liquor system ranks among the more frustrating. From closed stores to an attempt at online selling that launched with abysmal failure, government-run booze underwhelmed, to say the least. In this episode, Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette talks with state Rep. Tim O'Neal on his renewed push to get government out of the booze business in Pennsylvania.
One topic that’s been front and center during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania is the state’s response to helping residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA), shares a first-hand view of how PHCA, as a private membership organization, acted early to equip providers and facilities statewide and discusses some of the criticisms that have been aimed at the state’s official response to these facilities.
PA Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed creating a “Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps” to combat COVID-19 and help put unemployed Pennsylvanians back to work—working for the government, that is.
Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs Board Member David Hogg, an entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of a hospitality development and management company, recently explained in an op-ed how Wolf’s proposal fails to solve a problem of the governor’s own making. This is an audio version of that piece!
In light of PA Gov. Tom Wolf's threats to retaliate against counties and businesses that re-open without his permission, Rep. Seth Grove addresses what powers the governor does and does not have and discusses the growing frustration over Wolf's refusal to listen to Pennsylvanians who are hurting.
With much focus in Pennsylvania on the state's response to COVID-19, how are county leaders responding? In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette, Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries details his county's response, along with what communication the governor's administration has--or has not--had with county leaders.
With traditional public schools shuttered for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year, are kids being shortchanged amid COVID-19? In this audio version of an op-ed by Matt Brouillette--a former high school and middle school teacher and current president and CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs--you'll hear how the education establishment in Pennsylvania has shown itself more interested in protecting its own interests during the COVID crisis than in serving students.
Buying liquor in Pennsylvania in normal times is bad enough, given the state's government-run liquor monopoly. But trying to buy liquor through the government-run system during a pandemic is downright maddening (and slightly hilarious). David La Torre shares his experience trying, trying, trying, and finally succeeding in buying some booze!
As weeks of Gov. Wolf’s shutdown order drag on, we’re told to rely on the data, trust the science, and believe the experts. But what is the data? What is the science? Who are the experts? As Wolf repeatedly refuses to answer such questions, it seems more likely his decisions are being driven by political science more than actual science.
Nearly six weeks into Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s business shutdown order in response to COVID-19, attorney and business owner Jonathan Goldstein joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to discuss a federal lawsuit he’s filed challenging Gov. Wolf’s order—but not for the reasons you might think.
In the fall-out of PA Gov. Tom Wolf's executive order closing wide swaths of the state's economy, David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, discusses the disastrous impact the haphazard order has had on critical supply chain companies and considers how well Pennsylvania is poised to come back once the state’s economy and health are restored.
As a child, PA State Rep. Cris Dush got to know not one or two but three of his great-grandparents—who knew people who fought in the Civil War. This led to his love of history. And Cris is the descendant of both Civil War and Revolutionary War veterans, which led to his love for our military. Now, Cris is wrapping up three terms serving in the state House and is running for state Senate in the 25th District. In this episode, Cris talks about his motivation for public service, his personal and career background, his service in the military, and how his experiences deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom exposed him to some of the worst evils of humanity and deepened his commitment to fighting to preserve the liberty we enjoy in the United States.
In any battle, a clear goal is essential. This audio version of a commentary by Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette outlines why this clarity is particularly critical in the battle against COVID-19.
Recounting a 30-year military career, a family background of unbelievable stories of heroism, and a passion for America, freshman PA state Senator Doug Mastriano has a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Sen. Mastriano discusses his experiences as a combat veteran, his path to the Senate, and even his appearance in a recent movie.
In this inaugural Brews & Views Short Take, hear the REAL reason Pennsylvania's turnpike tolls are so high! <6 minute listen
As former U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neil famously said, all politics is local. In this episode, entrepreneur and East Lampeter Township Supervisor Ethan Demme takes a hyper-local look at how local governments can foster—or hinder—economic growth and opportunity. Particularly, Ethan explained the commonsense principle that people should have the freedom to use their own property to earn income.
What does it take to provide children in Harrisburg with a quality education regardless of socioeconomic background? Andy Phillips, Executive Director of Logos Academy Harrisburg, explains how his school delivers early education to a student body 70% of whom come from families at or near the poverty level. For Andy, his driving force is ensuring justice for these children. And he shares how Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship program is essential to this vision and to these children’s academic futures.
PA State Rep. David Rowe has what he describes as an unconventional childhood. After spending a few years working in Asia just out of high school, he returned to Pennsylvania and took the path of an entrepreneur in the commonwealth. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, David shares about the experiences that led him to run for office, his policy passions as a lawmaker, and how he found a way to be both the class clown and valedictorian in high school.
Pittsburgh attorney Heather Heidelbaugh is running for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania attorney general in 2020 in a race that could pit her against incumbent AG Josh Shapiro. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Heather shares how she’s faced and overcome multiple obstacles in life, tells about a major case she tried that garnered national attention, explains why she’s running for attorney general, and identifies one major campaign promise she’s making that Josh Shapiro isn’t.
In 2015, Martina White became the first new Republican elected to the State Legislature in Philadelphia in 25 years. Now, as the newly elected chair of the Republican Party of Philadelphia, she faces the challenge of revitalizing a party in need of a resurgence. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Martina talks about her priorities in the State Legislature, what it’s like being a Republican in Philadelphia, and her approach of setting achievable goals that will produce results.
Chris Frye made history on Election Day by being elected the first black mayor of New Castle, Pennsylvania. His historic win also crossed party lines, as Democrats in New Castle far outnumber Republicans in voter registration, and Chris is a Republican. In this conversation, Chris shares his compelling story of growing up on the welfare system then coming full circle and going to work for the same agency that helped his family when they moved to Pennsylvania. He also talks about why he ran, the moment he decided he was a Republican, and his vision for leading a restoration of hope in New Castle.
You might say PA State Representative Dawn Keefer grew up with small business in her DNA. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, she launched her own business and didn't intend to run for office. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Keefer shares the tipping point that inspired her to run, tells one thing she was never asked while knocking on more than 5,000 doors, and discloses her biggest frustration in Harrisburg, as well as her motivation!
Former Mayor Rick Gray spent 12 years leading the Red Rose City—Lancaster, PA. As a lifelong student of American government and history, Rick kept charts in high school of how U.S. Senators voted on various issues. In this episode, Rick talks about his time leading Pennsylvania’s eighth-largest city and addresses the state of partisanship today.
From baseball umpire to … state legislator? That’s the path of Representative Jesse Topper, who also has the somewhat unique experience among legislators of having earned a degree in music. In this episode, Rep. Topper talks about his transition from umpire to lawmaker and how sports prepared him for public service. He also dives into his work on the House Education Committee and explains how limiting educational opportunity for students hurts traditional public schools.
Teacher, principal, superintendent, secretary of education, teachers’ union executive director—Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq knows education inside-out. Now, she’s fighting opposition in an effort to open a charter school in Harrisburg. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Dr. Dumaresq shares how someone who once worked for the state’s biggest teachers’ union today is a charter school advocate (hint: it’s the union that’s changed its position), and tells why some say her life has “gone to the dogs.”
Founded in 1909, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association (PMA) has worked consistently for more than a century to advance pro-growth public policies in the state. PMA President & CEO David Taylor joins Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about the strength and intricacies of the state's manufacturing industry and how PA should aim high in unleashing the growth potential of the manufacturing sector.
Pennsylvania’s Gov. Tom Wolf recently took aim at public charter schools, threatening to cut their funding and limit options for even more students. Ana Meyers, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to set the record straight on how these schools are helping kids traditional public schools leave behind.
Chester County, PA, located outside Philadelphia, went from red to blue between the 2016 and 2018 elections. Is this the beginning of a trend?Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry president Guy Ciarrocchi talks with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette about the county's economic growth, how educational opportunity is actually an economic issue, and whether 2018 was a political anomaly or the county is blue to stay.
State Representative Frank Ryan is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and CPA who specialized in saving companies from bankruptcy. Now, he's taking on one of Pennsylvania's most angst-inducing issues: property taxes. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Ryan discusses how he got into politics, his school property tax elimination plan, and his intent to walk across America--again.
Newly elected Allegheny County GOP Chair Sam DeMarco has a focused vision for the county. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Sam shares why he became a Republican, what needs to happen to strengthen and grow the county party, and his predictions for Trump’s 2020 victory prospects both nationally and in Pennsylvania.
Logos Academy has been serving children in York, Pa. for more than 20 years. Unique among many private schools, Logos reserves 2/3 of its seats for students living in poverty. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Logos CEO and Head of School Aaron Anderson discuss Logos' philosophy of education, the demand for the type of learning environment Logos provides, and how private schools like Logos are not competitors but rather complements to traditional public schools.
Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry is not only one of the most important industries in our state and even our country—it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Marcellus Shale Coalition President Dave Spigelmyer joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to share some under-recognized benefits of natural gas, debunk several persistent myths, and identify major changes in the energy landscape over the past 10 years.
With Pennsylvania at the epicenter of presidential politics, the state’s Republican Party Chairman, Val DiGiorgio, joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to lay out the political landscape heading into the 2019 and 2020 elections. Val shares how the GOP is ahead of the game in several ways and also identifies one area where the party is lagging—and how he would change this.
More than 20 years ago, Kirk Hallett had a successful career in construction equipment sales, but he was looking for something different. So he founded the Joshua Group, which gives kids in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood a chance at the solid educational foundation that will help carry them through life. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Kirk shares how the Joshua Group is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children and describes the changes he'd like to see in Pennsylvania's education policy.
Rep. Matt Bradford has been serving the people of Montgomery County, Pa. since 2009. Last fall, he was elected to a key leadership position as House Democratic Appropriations Committee Chairman. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Bradford talks about his upbringing, his reason for entering public service, and how Republicans and Democrats can come together to address issues such as education funding and human services reform.
Pa. State Representative Donna Bullock grew up in New Jersey, but love brought her to Philly. From a very young age, she learned the principles of responsibility and service to others. Today, these values remain central to her work as a state lawmaker. In this chat with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Bullock shares her passion for issues including education, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform.
Rep. Sheryl Delozier never intended to run for office. That changed when a state House seat became vacant and she was challenged to “put up or shut up”. Now, Rep. Delozier is joining with lawmakers from both parties to fight for much-needed criminal justice reform in Pennsylvania. She joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about her path to the Legislature and her determination to improve Pennsylvania's criminal justice system.
Rep. Kate Klunk’s family roots in Pennsylvania predate the Declaration of Independence. And for generations, her family has sought to give back to the community. This desire to serve inspires Kate’s work as a lawmaker today. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Klunk talks about her background, her priorities in the Legislature, and why advancing simple, commonsense reforms can sometimes be an uphill battle.
Longtime Pennsylvania capitol reporter Jan Murphy has broken countless major stories in her years covering state politics. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Jan takes on the role of interviewee, sharing some pivotal events that shaped her life and telling the clues that led to her uncovering one of the state’s biggest political scandals in recent memory.
Before Charles Mitchell became president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, he was put on trial at Bucknell University for standing up for free speech. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Charles talks about his college battle against campus speech codes, his motivation to get up each morning, and his plans to start a school.
Pa. State Rep. Greg Rothman worked his way through kindergarten, was fired from his first job at age 11, and spent nearly 10 years in the Marine Corps Reserve before becoming a lawmaker. In this Brews & Views episode, Greg talks with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette about his passion for working, his path to the state Capitol, and his dream job.
Sen. Rich Alloway surprised many by announcing he’s leaving the state Senate at the end of February. He recently sat down with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to discuss his road from college drop-out to attorney, the issues he’s been most passionate about while in office, and what he plans to do next.
First-term State Representative Valerie Gaydos is an entrepreneur who knows what it means to successfully run a small business. And she understands firsthand the impact Pennsylvania's public policies have on entrepreneurs. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Rep. Gaydos discusses how Pennsylvania can spur economic growth by helping—not hindering—job creators.
Pa. State Senator Scott Martin is passionate about helping Pennsylvanians move from dependency to self-sufficiency. A lifelong resident of Lancaster County, Scott recently sat down with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about the values he learned while growing up as the oldest of seven children, his reason for running for office, and how Pennsylvania can achieve priorities including greater healthcare access, economic growth, and improved educational opportunity.
He’s been covering Pennsylvania state government for two decades, but journalism wasn’t his first career choice. PennLive opinion editor John Micek joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to look at the state of the media, offer predictions on what to expect from Gov. Tom Wolf and the new Legislature heading into 2019, and talk about moonlighting in a rock band!
Many public employees believe they benefit from union membership, but what about those who are being mistreated by their union? David Osborne, president and general counsel of the Fairness Center, a non-profit public interest law firm, talks with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matthew Brouillette about the firm’s work representing those facing unjust treatment from public sector union officials.
Freshman State Representative Andrew Lewis already has an impressive resume as a decorated combat veteran and a family construction businessman. In this Brews & Views conversation, Andrew talks with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette about his service in Iraq as a U.S. Army Scout, his family’s entrepreneurial spirit, and why when it comes to state government, he believes in ‘increasing the sunlight to disinfect the state.’
Gordon Denlinger is the new Pennsylvania State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business. In this Brews & Views conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Gordon talks about his Watergate-era-inspired interest in politics, his time serving in the Pa. House, and how lawmakers can work across the party aisle to expand economic opportunity in Pennsylvania.
Rep. John Taylor is closing out 34 years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, but he ’s not leaving the policy realm entirely. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, John shares what it's like being one of the few Republicans from Philadelphia in the state Capitol, reflects on his decades of public service, and hints at his next career move.
Rep. Steve Bloom is known in Pennsylvania as a strong conservative—but he wasn’t always one. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Steve talks about how he arrived at his beliefs, why he decided to run for office when he never thought he would, and what his next career step will be when he leaves the Pa. House at the end of this year.
“I hit reply all, and thus began my career as a freedom fighter.” That’s how Keith Williams, a 20-year veteran of public-school teaching, describes the genesis of his fight to secure the First Amendment rights of public-sector workers in Pennsylvania. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matthew Brouillette, Keith, now the Pennsylvania Director of Americans for Fair Treatment, discusses the pivotal Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling—which empowered public workers to join or not join a union without penalty—and details the many options teachers have in the wake of Janus.
Farmer, adjunct professor, lawmaker. Rep. Aaron Bernstine goes by all three. First elected to the Pa. state legislature in 2016, Aaron joins Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette to share his biggest surprise on joining the legislature, his record of working across the aisle to reach common goals,, and why he believes you can learn everything you need to know in life from Google and YouTube.
From State Senator and Lieutenant Governor to Acting Governor, Mark Singel has worn many political hats. In this Brews & Views conversation, Mark joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about growing up in Johnstown Pa., the eyebrow-raising requests he received while serving as acting governor, and the state of civil discourse on both the national and state political stages.
Pa. Republican Lt. Gov. nominee Jeff Bartos has always been interested in politics—from running for class president in 7th grade to holding a leadership position in the Student Senate at Emory University. After working as an attorney for several years, Jeff re-entered the political fray. Now, as the Republican nominee for Lt. Gov., Jeff joins Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about why he’s running, what he believes, and how he plans to lead.
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey entered national politics almost accidentally. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Senator Toomey talks about his background as one of six children, his road to the Senate, and his views of President Trump’s policies.
Former Pa. House Speaker Bob O'Donnell says if you hold to your principles long enough, eventually they'll come back in fashion. While serving in the state legislature, Bob introduced the state's first charter school law. Now as a practicing attorney, he represents charter schools. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette, Bob talks about his passion for solving local problems, his view of partisanship, and the three skills that are essential in politics.
In an age of bitter partisan divide, Jeff Coleman offers something different: a return to civility in the public square. In 2001, Jeff became the youngest state representative in Pennsylvania. Four years later, he left political office to save his marriage. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette, Jeff brings his trademark humor to discussing his background and political aspirations then tackles serious topics including the state of political discourse, the impact of public service on marriages and families, and where we go from here.
Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach has received the limelight both for his policy work and for his personality. A committed liberal who is no stranger to controversy, Daylin talks with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette about his personal background and political career, the current state of civil discourse, recent allegations that have appeared in the media, the pivotal Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling, and more.
Over his decades-long career reporting on the Pennsylvania capitol, Brad Bumsted has covered it all: the rise and fall of politicians, corruption scandals, and even multiple good-government reforms. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Brad tells how he became a journalist, recounts some of the stories he's covered, and predicts how national politics will (or won't) affect the 2018 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race.
State Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill says joining the legislature was baptism by fire, but Thanksgiving dinners with her family were great preparation. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette, Kristin, who is running for state Senate, tells how hard work and education helped lift her mother’s family from poverty, why she became a Republican, and why she believes her principles—not her gender—should win voters’ confidence.
Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Bill DeWeese spent 36 years in the state Legislature followed by nearly two years in state prison on a conviction of using public resources for political means. Now a lobbyist, Bill talks with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette about his upbringing, his rise to political leadership, his political downfall, and how he's using his experiences to effect change.
As president of the Pa. Chamber of Business and Industry, Gene Barr has been named "The Most Effective Association Lobbyist" in the state. How did he go from a 9-year-old delivering newspapers to the leading voice for nearly 10,000 businesses across Pa.? And why is he optimistic about the state's future? Gene answers both these questions and more in this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette.
Rep. Seth Grove’s family has Pennsylvania roots extending back hundreds of years. First elected to the state legislature in 2008, the York County native talks with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette about his political philosophy, his approach to the state budget process, and how Bill Clinton helped shape his policy perspective.
Beaver County native Jim Christiana made his first run at elected office at just 21 years old — and won. Now, the five-term state representative is running for U.S. Senate. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette, Jim talks about growing up in western PA, becoming the first college graduate in his family, and why he considers his youth an asset, not a liability, when it comes to political leadership.
Elected to the Pa. State House in 2012, Rep. Jordan Harris is chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette, Jordan discusses his focus on improving the state’s education landscape, particularly in urban areas, his passion for criminal justice reform, and his little-known musical talent.
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff is among the longest-serving members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette, Kerry shares an important childhood lesson he learned about the value of work, his passion for helping people achieve self-sufficiency, and how his experience with adoption drove him to champion a transformative policy change.
John Baer is one of the most recognized names in Pennsylvania politics. The longtime political columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philly.com sat down with Commonwealth Partners president & CEO Matt Brouillette to talk about growing up surrounded by news, tell some unique stories of his career, and give his predictions for the 2018 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race.
Pa. State Senator Scott Wagner made history in 2014 by becoming the state's first write-in candidate to win a state Senate seat. Now, he's running for Pennsylvania governor. Scott recently joined Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette to discuss his entrepreneurial background, his run for governor, and why he dislikes being called a politician.
For Mayor John Fetterman, running for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor isn’t about getting a different title; it’s about pursuing a wider platform to do even more good. John recently sat down with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette to share the very personal experiences that inspired him to make a difference through public service—and to tell how his life changed thanks to one magazine at a Costa Rican yoga retreat.
Pa. House Majority Leader Dave Reed never dreamed as a child of going into politics. But watching his peers move out of state for better economic opportunities spurred him to make a difference through public service. In this conversation with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette at Noble Stein Brewery in Indiana, Pa., Rep. Reed talks about growing up in Homer City, his road to political leadership, and a very important lesson he learned at a young age from his father.
After tragically losing both parents at a young age, Bryan Cutler came to cherish the community that rallied around him. Now as Pa. House Majority Whip, Bryan works to rally diverse colleagues around sound public policy. He shares his upbringing and his path to leadership with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette.
When her father passed away unexpectedly, Christine Toretti became CEO of her family’s oil and gas drilling company. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she helped blaze a trail for women executives—first in business, then in politics. Now as the Republican National Committeewoman for Pennsylvania, Christine continues to empower women for leadership in the public arena. She recently talked with Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette about her family and business background and her passion for engaging women in politics.
John Wetzel spends a lot of time in prison, but it’s by choice and for a good cause. Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Corrections talks with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette about his upbringing, his professional rise to become the state’s top corrections official, and his passion for good policy regardless of which party label is attached to it.
From running the Pittsburgh office of one of the world’s largest law firms to running for governor of Pennsylvania, Laura Ellsworth talks with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette about what drives her commitment to service, why she believes in the benefits of public-private partnerships, and the one thing she says is holding Pennsylvania back from realizing its full potential.
He’s the only statewide elected official in the country to complete the Spartan race trifecta, and his watchdog work is no respecter of political parties. Pa. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale talks with Commonwealth Partners President & CEO Matt Brouillette about growing up in Pittsburgh, his political career, and why he’s heading to Iceland this December.
From West Point to the Pa. governor’s race, Republican candidate Paul Mango tells Commonwealth Partners President and CEO Matt Brouillette why he’s diving into the political fray and why a change in leadership in the governor’s office is needed to bring prosperity back to Pennsylvania.
From walking the halls of the Pennsylvania State Capitol to being confined to state prison, former lawmaker Mike Veon tells Commonwealth Partners president and CEO Matt Brouillette his story of rising through the ranks of the politically powerful, winding up in prison, and emerging to rebuild his career.