Matt Brouillette surprised many with his sudden announcement earlier this month that he was soon walking away after 14 years as president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a conservative policy center.
Turns out, it will only be a short walk across State Street to an office that will house a newly formed issue advocacy organization in Harrisburg.
The new organization called Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs will be free of some of the Internal Revenue Service's restrictions placed on the Commonwealth Foundation when it comes to political activity but will have a similar agenda.
Brouillette, who came to be regarded as a formidable opponent by labor union officials for his work to influence public policy at the Commonwealth Foundation, will serve as its president and CEO, starting on July 1.
Formed as a 501(c)(6), Commonwealth Partners will be much like a trade association or chamber of commerce, with varying levels of memberships. It will be made up of entrepreneurs and philanthropists with an interest in influencing public policy.
"Commonwealth Partners will put political punch behind good public policies that will allow Pennsylvanians to flourish," Brouillette said.
Although it has entrepreneurs in its name, it won't be in competition with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Brouillette said.
Unlike the chamber that represents business issues of interest to its members, he said, "Believe it or not, the people involved with us, what they support will not benefit or profit their bottom line. There's no financial profit for our members to help kids trapped in crumbling schools in Philadelphia go to a Catholic school or go to a charter school. These are people who care about what's going on in our state and nation."
He said Commonwealth Partners will confine its work to Pennsylvania issues and "help educate, help expose Pennsylvanians to the agendas of those running for office, those in office and those passing laws."
One of those agendas that will likely fall into the organization's crosshairs to attack belongs to Gov. Tom Wolf.
"Clearly, Governor Wolf's union agenda is absolutely contrary to the interests of working Pennsylvanians and the good of our communities," Brouillette said.
Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan said when asked for comment about this new organization that "this doesn't sound much different from what the Commonwealth Foundation already does."
Regardless of which organization is pushing the conservative agenda, Sheridan said, "They are on the wrong side of the issues and Governor Wolf has been and will continue to fight for the issues that matter to the people of Pennsylvania."
Longtime Capitol observer G. Terry Madonna said he's not surprised to learn of this new organization being established. He said the upcoming election is looking favorable to Democrats so the conservatives are going to want to ramp up efforts to counteract that momentum.
In addition, he said, "The fact is you have a Democratic governor who pushes an agenda that many in the business community don't favor, particularly with the prospect of additional taxes."
As is the case with the Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Partners' membership roster will not be disclosed.
Brouillette also declined to say how well funded the organization is except to say, "We have good commitments from our members already that will allow us to not only launch this but to sustain it over the long haul to continue building on the successes we've experienced at Commonwealth Foundation despite not having the political punch that we're going to have now."
David Barensfeld, president and CEO of Ellwood Group, said entrepreneurs like him have to become more civicly engaged.
"Most I know have been intently focused on the business of serving people and their communities - providing them with goods and services that improve their lives - as we should," Barensfeld said in a news release. "But it is also our responsibility to look out for the people's business in the public square."