The Commonwealth Foundation of Pennsylvania Named Finalist For Atlas Network’s 2018 Templeton Freedom Award For Pension Reform Efforts

Harrisburg, Pa.-based Commonwealth Foundation (CF) has been named one of six finalists for this year's prestigious $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award for its achievements in pension reform, which has helped to avert a financial crisis in Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pennsylvania was sprinting toward financial meltdown with its unfunded pension liabilities and its state lawmakers apathetic to do anything about it. That was until Commonwealth Foundation sounded the alarm in 2005. It stayed the course, and 12 long years later, a comprehensive pension reform bill finally went into law in 2017.

Pennsylvania was sprinting toward financial meltdown with its unfunded pension liabilities and its state lawmakers apathetic to do anything about it. That was until Commonwealth Foundation sounded the alarm in 2005. It stayed the course, and 12 long years later, a comprehensive pension reform bill finally went into law in 2017.

“I’m honored and humbled that Atlas Network identified the Commonwealth Foundation’s work on pension reform as a finalist for this prestigious international award,” said Charles Mitchell, president and CEO of CF. “Our vision is that Pennsylvania once again writes a new chapter in America’s story by ensuring all people have equal opportunity to pursue their dreams and earn success.”

CF created a statewide campaign encompassing research, effective advocacy, public awareness, and marketing to advance pension reform. Its staff worked closely with state lawmakers to craft the legislation and garner support. And despite intense opposition from government unions and Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf, CF scored a major victory for the people of Pennsylvania when the state finally passed a comprehensive pension reform bill into law in 2017. The new law reversed the growth trend of unfunded liabilities, which had grown by 730 percent from 2006 to 2016. Now Pennsylvania is holding the line against future risk to the state’s taxpayers, with a projected savings of $5 to 30 billion over the next 30 years. CF’s efforts are a decade-long case study of a state-based public policy group demanding and delivering better outcomes for its fellow citizens.

“Runaway unfunded pension liabilities have become Exhibit A for showing the irresponsibility of so many government officials,” said Brad Lips, CEO of Atlas Network. “Pennsylvanians should be grateful for the research and advocacy of Commonwealth Foundation, which charted a responsible path back from the brink of a real crisis.”

What: Commonwealth Foundation named one of six finalists for Atlas Network's prestigious $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award for pension reform accomplishments in Pennsylvania

When: Nov. 8, 2018, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner closing ceremony – Intrepid Museum Manhattan Pier 86, West 46th St & 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Press Contact: Daniel.Anthony@AtlasNetwork.org or 202-449-8449

Awarded since 2004, the Templeton Freedom Award is named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton. The award annually honors his legacy by identifying and recognizing the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation, and human fulfillment via free competition. The award is generously supported by Templeton Religion Trust and will be presented during Atlas Network's Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner gala dinner ceremony Nov. 8, 2018 in New York City. The winning organization will receive a $100,000 prize and the runners-up will each receive $25,000.

The 2018 Templeton Freedom Award finalists are:

• The Buckeye Institute (Columbus, Ohio, United States) – “Increasing Safety, Liberty, and Justice: Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform in Ohio”
• The Commonwealth Foundation (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States) — “A Titanic Shift: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania”
• The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies of Egypt (Cairo, Egypt) — “Better Budget for a Better Egypt”
• Libertad y Progreso (Buenos Aires, Argentina)  — “Downsizing of Argentina’s Government”
• Lipa Taxpayers Association (Zagreb, Croatia) — “Campaign Against the Introduction of the Property Tax in Croatia”
• The Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Arlington, Virginia, United States) – “Unleashing Prosperity by Cutting State Regulations”

About Commonwealth Foundation

Harrisburg, Pa.-based Commonwealth Foundation's vision is that Pennsylvania once again writes a new chapter in America's story by ensuring all people have equal opportunity to pursue their dreams and earn success. The Commonwealth Foundation transforms free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish.

About Atlas Network

Washington-based Atlas Network is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the worldwide freedom movement by connecting more than 485 independent partners in over 90 countries that share the vision of a free, prosperous, and peaceful world where limited governments defend the rule of law, private property, and free markets.

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Daniel Anthony
                    Atlas Network
                    202-449-8449
                    daniel.anthony@atlasnetwork.org
                    
                    AJ Skiera
                    Atlas Network
                    202-449-8440
                    aj.skiera@atlasnetwork.org