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 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. Per the statute that created the office, all staff "shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of their fitness to perform their duties".

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.
Marissa Litman
Deputy Director
Formerly employed as Director of Budget Policy & Analysis for the School District of Philadelphia where she managed the district's multiyear financial plan projections and financial reporting. Ms. Litman also conducted policy analysis related to various funding proposals, and previously worked as a Senior Managing Consultant with Public Financial Management on multiyear financial plan engagements and cost studies within the Commonwealth and nationally. Ms. Litman holds a MPA from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College.
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 III
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 II
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.