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.”
Education
School boards have no control over teacher salaries?
Tony Phyrillas laughs at school board members complaining about not having control over things like teacher salaries – you know, the salaries school boards establish (typically through labor contracts)…
Media
Read More: School boards have no control over teacher salaries?Taxes & Economy
Steelers for sale?
In what may be a shock to Pittsburgh Steelers fans, the Wall Street Journal reports the Rooney family may be looking to sell the team (also see Tribune Review article).
Media
Read More: Steelers for sale?Education
Voucher Valedictorian
Andrew Coulson comments on an NRO article highlighting a DC Opportunity Scholarship recipient who just graduated at the head of her class at Archbishop Carroll High School. The…
Media
Read More: Voucher ValedictorianRegulation
Time to end earmarks and WAMs
Good op-ed in the Patriot News by William G. Williams on the need to end Congressional earmarks and WAMs by the PA General Assembly: For years in…
Media
Read More: Time to end earmarks and WAMsTaxes & Economy
Impeach JFK
Evergreen Freedom Foundation blog highlights the NEA convention adopting a resolution stating The National Education Association believes that any president who starts a war with another country without a…
Media
Read More: Impeach JFKGovernment Accountability
What can we cut?
An anonymous poster to GrassrootsPA defends the recently enacted state budget against criticism from the Commonwealth Foundation, along with that in other comments. The budget…
Media
Read More: What can we cut?Taxes & Economy
We hold these truths to be self evident
Independence Day video from the Evergreen Freedom Foundation…
Media
Read More: We hold these truths to be self evident
Budget Details Revealed
The House Appropriations Committee (both Democrats and Republicans) released the line items in the budget late into the night on Thursday. They will attempt to vote on the legislation today…
Media
Read More: Budget Details RevealedState Budget
New budget may mean deficit, higher taxes
Marc Levy of the AP reports that the new $28.2 budget agreement may, according to Senate officials (both Republicans and Democrats), result in a budget deficit of $1 billion…
Media
Read More: New budget may mean deficit, higher taxesRegulation
Soccer Score: Team owners: 50 million, Taxpayers: 0
Props to state Rep. RoseMarie Swanger, and 71 state House members, who attempted to end the use of taxpayer funds for a soccer stadium. Here is our recent…
Media
Read More: Soccer Score: Team owners: 50 million, Taxpayers: 0Health Care
Questionable Benefits of State Mandates for Health Insurance
The Pacific Research Institute a new study on the cost of health insurance mandates. As would be expected (see our commentary on autism and slacker mandates), they find…
Media
Read More: Questionable Benefits of State Mandates for Health InsuranceEducation
Philadelphia private school managers a failure or success story?
The Fordham Institute blasts a Philadelphia Inquirer story calling the Philadelphia public school’s removal of six private managers a “blow to the experiment”: Kristen Graham of…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia private school managers a failure or success story?Regulation
Don’t know much about history?
In another example of professional licensing run amok,…
Media
Read More: Don’t know much about history?Health Care
New Mandates A Step Backwards in Health Care Reform
State lawmakers claim to hear the cries of Pennsylvania residents about the escalating costs of health care. Unfortunately, instead of pushing reforms to help lower the costs of care, some…
Commentary
Read More: New Mandates A Step Backwards in Health Care ReformState Budget
PA Budget Secrecy
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire asks an interesting question. Since lawmakers are likely to vote on the budget tomorrow (given they don’t want to come in on the 4th and they…
Media
Read More: PA Budget Secrecy
CorridorOne: Every Rose has its Thorn
When we last heard mention of CorridorOne, the proposed transit rail line in the Harrisburg area that no one will ride, supporters were defending federal earmarks – because subverting…
Media
Read More: CorridorOne: Every Rose has its ThornState Budget
New borrowing in budget deal
While we are still waiting to see many of the details on the budget agreement, here are the numbers on borrowing that have been revealed. The new agreement…
Media
Read More: New borrowing in budget dealGovernment Accountability
The state budget: Secret sham
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorializes on the secret nature of the budget negotiations and the wheeling and dealing that occurs behind closed doors.
Media
Read More: The state budget: Secret sham
Leasing the turnpike is a better way for Pa
Former PA Transporation Secretary (and Turnpike Commissioner) Howard Yerusalim on the Turnpike lease in the Philadelphia Inquirer: Already, similar public-private lease arrangements are working in Indiana and the…
Media
Read More: Leasing the turnpike is a better way for PaState Budget
Budget Deal Reached
While taxpayers and state workers slept, lawmakers shook hands on a budget deal. John Micek has some of the details, as does the Patriot News. General Fund budget:…
Media
Read More: Budget Deal ReachedTaxes & Economy
Congressional Guardian of Worker Freedom Rankings
Alliance for Worker Freedomhas released an index rating members of Congress by their votes on worker freedom or for the big labor agenda. Here are the House ratings.
Media
Read More: Congressional Guardian of Worker Freedom Rankings