Nathan Benefield
Senior Vice President
An Ohio native, Nate holds an undergraduate degree in political science and economics and a master’s degree in public service management from DePaul University in Chicago. He also completed his doctoral studies (ABD) in political science at Loyola University, also in Chicago.
Nate joined the Commonwealth Foundation in 2005. Now as senior vice president, he provides strategic leadership as well as operational oversight spanning policy analysis, government relations, marketing, and communications.
Nate has researched and written extensively on public policy issues including the state budget, public sector labor reform, government spending and taxes, liquor privatization, education, and economic development. Under Nate’s policy leadership, the Commonwealth Foundation’s work on public sector pension law helped drive the bipartisan pension reform of 2017, heralded by the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post as an example for other states to follow.
Nate has testified numerous times before state legislative committees and is often called upon by legislators and members of the media to provide expertise. He is a frequent commentator on both television and radio, and his writings have appeared across the state and nationally in outlets including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patriot-News, and Weekly Standard.
Nate’s favorite rock song and personal motto are both “Don’t Stop Believin.”
Not doing Pennsylvania public’s business
The Patriot News had a story on Monday about state police Commissioner Jeffrey Miller’s travels at taxpayer expense, featuring a quote by Matt Brouillette stating that Miller was “not…
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Read More: Not doing Pennsylvania public’s businessTaxes & Economy
New analysis of where I-80 tolls will go
While I have previously posted that I-80 tolls will mostly go to other projects, rather than stay on I-80, the Turnpike Commissions new application for tolling I-80 changes that…
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Read More: New analysis of where I-80 tolls will goGovernment Accountability
How the left and right differ on reform
I was in DC on Monday at a conference hosted by the Brookings Institute on reforming Pennsylvania – yes, our state is so bad that we are a great case…
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Read More: How the left and right differ on reformTaxes & Economy
Morality and libertarianism in The Dark Knight
Review of The Dark Knight on, of all places, the Mises Economics Blog (spoilers). Jeffrey Tucker notes that the movie is awesome (agreed), praises how the movie addresses the…
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Read More: Morality and libertarianism in The Dark KnightGovernment Accountability
Who has contracts with PA Government
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department has a great new tool for searching state contracts online. A description of the database – what you will find and will not find –…
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Read More: Who has contracts with PA GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Turnpike Commission Resubmits I-80 Application
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has resubmitted their proposal to toll I-80 – full application, letter from the Governor, and Appendices A through L are available for download here. Readers…
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Read More: Turnpike Commission Resubmits I-80 ApplicationRegulation
PA Lottery lags overall economic growth
There have been seemingly conflicting media reports on the Pennsylvania’s Lottery growth. Tom Barnes in the Post Gazette repeats, without analysis, the state revenue department’s self-congratulatory release by writing…
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Read More: PA Lottery lags overall economic growthGovernment Accountability
Calls for Reform
Here is a quick roundup of editorials from across the state calling for a Constitutional Convention and/or a special session (as well as criticizing lawmakers for a culture of corruption,…
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Read More: Calls for ReformState Budget
Congress’s Edifice Complex
John Fund borrows the epithet Edifice Complex to describe Congressman’s (along with Governor’s) penchant for using taxpayer funds to construct projects named for themselves – e.g. Paul…
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Read More: Congress’s Edifice ComplexGovernment Accountability
Why have a special session on reform?
Since the call for a special session for reform, some critics (i.e. Mark Cohen and Governor Rendell) oppose the idea, while others express support, but think it won’t do…
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Read More: Why have a special session on reform?Government Accountability
Cerberus’s three heads not speaking to each other
Rep. Babette Josephs, chairman of the House State Government Committee, and the Cerberus of the General Assembly is calling for a ban to bonuses – her ban.
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Lease the turnpike
Pennsylvania Transportation Partners has an op-ed in the Post-Gazette on leasing the Turnpike. Here are some key points: Pennsylvania Transportation Partners’ $12.8 billion bid to manage the…
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Read More: Lease the turnpikeGovernment Accountability
Harrisburg Political Corruption News
For everything you ever wanted to know about bonusgate, the Fumo trial, and scandal in Pennsylvania, check out this new blog – Harrisburg Political Corruption News. It looks to…
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Read More: Harrisburg Political Corruption NewsTaxes & Economy
High Today: 96, Al Gore to blame
Americans for Prosperity video highlights Nobel Prize/Oscar winner Al Gore showing up with a motorcade, leaving one car running, before giving a speech demanding audience ride bikes home,…
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Read More: High Today: 96, Al Gore to blameTaxes & Economy
What to do with Fannie and Freddie
While President Bush and Congress are debating a bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (properly the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which…
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Read More: What to do with Fannie and FreddieGovernment Accountability
Activists, Politicians Push Reform in Harrisburg
ABC 27 News video from yesterday’s press conference calling for a special session. Get our news release here.
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Read More: Activists, Politicians Push Reform in HarrisburgRegulation
Steelers and the Death Tax (and stadium subsidies)
Wall Street Journal article on how the estate tax may force the Rooney’s to sell the Steelers (not to mention other family owned sports teams, newspapers, and even…
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Read More: Steelers and the Death Tax (and stadium subsidies)Regulation
How much do you work for Government?
Americans for Tax Reform has released their 2008 Cost of Government Report today, which happens to be Cost of Government day for the US. Their report is broader than…
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Read More: How much do you work for Government?Government Accountability
Mark Cohen takes on James Madison
In Federalist #51, James Madison writes of the need to create laws and instititutions to protect citizens against abuses by ambitious men in government: If men were angels,…
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Read More: Mark Cohen takes on James MadisonGovernment Accountability
Everyone calls for reform – Except Rendell
Following the bonusgate indictments, there have been many more calls for action to clean up Pennsylvania state government, some from familiar voices, some from new members of the choir…
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Read More: Everyone calls for reform – Except RendellTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania shouldn’t turn I-80 into state’s cash cow
Vindy.com has an editorial against I-80 tolling, noting The state pledges to spend nearly $200 million more on maintenance than it is spending now, But revenue from…
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Read More: Pennsylvania shouldn’t turn I-80 into state’s cash cow