IFO - About IFO

The Independent Fiscal Office was created by Act 120 of 2010, and Act 100 of 2016 transferred its authorizing statute to Article VI-B of the Administrative Code. The office Mission Statement is as follows:

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) provides revenue projections along with impartial and objective analysis of fiscal, economic and budgetary issues to assist Commonwealth residents and the General Assembly in their evaluation of policy decisions. In that capacity, the IFO does not support or oppose any policy it analyzes, does not make policy recommendations and will disclose the methodologies, data sources and assumptions used in published reports and estimates. The IFO hires staff based solely on professional qualifications, without regard to political affiliation.

To submit a Right-to-Know request, please visit our RTK page.

Staff

Matthew Knittel Director	Formerly employed as a financial economist by the US Department of Treasury and an economist by the Michigan Department of Treasury. Mr. Knittel holds a M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University and a bachelor's degree in Economics from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Mr. Knittel has taught courses at Johns Hopkins, Temple and Penn State Universities and published several articles in the National Tax Journal, the NBER and US Treasury's Office of Tax Analysis working paper series.
Stacey Knavel Principal Revenue Analyst	Formerly employed as a manager in the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's Bureau of Research, where she coordinated the revenue forecasting process for both the General Fund and the Motor License Fund. Ms. Knavel also conducted policy analysis related to a wide variety of tax types and participated in shaping many aspects of the Department's tax policy. Ms. Knavel holds a B.S. in Finance from Pennsylvania State University.
Karen Maynard Fiscal Analyst III	Ms. Maynard joined the IFO in 2012 and her primary responsibilities include leading performance-based budgeting projects, coordinating forecasts of department expenditures and forecasting the Lottery Fund. Other responsibilities include working on special projects pertaining to education, demographics, minimum wage and other subjects as needed.
Jesse Bushman Fiscal Analyst II	Mr. Bushman joined the IFO in 2016 and his primary responsibilities include leading performance-based budgeting projects and forecasting revenues from the gross receipts and inheritance taxes. Other responsibilities include working on projects related to natural gas, energy and school district property taxes.
Robyn Toth Fiscal Analyst/Communications	Ms. Toth joined the IFO in 2017 and her primary responsibilities include forecasting revenues for several tax sources, leading tax credit program reviews, and working on monthly economic and revenue updates. Other responsibilities include managing the office website, social media platforms and media requests.
Rachel Flaugh Fiscal Analyst	Ms. Flaugh joined the IFO in 2017 and her primary responsibilities include forecasting revenues from minor and repealed, insurance premiums and financial institutions taxes; working on performance-based budgeting and tax credit reports; and reporting on the state and local tax burden. Other responsibilities include working on projects related to natural gas and property taxes and projecting several department expenditures.
Joseph Shockey Fiscal Analyst II	Mr. Shockey joined the IFO in 2018 and his primary responsibilities include organizing the performance-based budgeting agency resource templates, forecasts for department expenditures, non-tax revenues, the Motor License Fund, and the Tobacco Settlement Fund. Other responsibilities include working on special projects related to transportation and wage contract analysis.
Mathieu Taylor Fiscal Analyst III	Mr. Taylor joined the IFO in 2018 and his primary responsibilities include state and local pension analysis as well as leading performance-based budget reports. Other responsibilities include working on special projects pertaining to debt, retiree healthcare, federal stimulus and economic development incentives.
Frank Lill Fiscal Analyst	Mr. Lill joined the IFO in 2022 and his primary responsibilities include leading performance-based budgeting projects and forecasting department expenditures. Other responsibilities include working on demographics and additional subjects as needed.