Nathan Benefield
Chief Policy Officer
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 Chief Policy Officer , 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.”
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 RankingsRegulation
Senate passes transporation P3 bill
The Senate yesterday passed a bill allowing for Public Private Partnerships in transportation (bill text). The big Kahuna, the Turnpike lease, is exempted from the legislation, but it…
Media
Read More: Senate passes transporation P3 bill
PTC Still Stalling on I-80 Tolling
The Turnpike Commission revealed today they won’t resubmit their proposal to toll I-80 until August. That means it will take nine months to answer the questions asked by the feds. …
Media
Read More: PTC Still Stalling on I-80 TollingEducation
The Liberace Complex?
The York Daily Record has a story on the South Eastern School District paying $97,000 for – wait for it – a grand piano. I may have to…
Media
Read More: The Liberace Complex?Government Accountability
The end of “campaign finance reform”?
The Supreme Court was busy yesterday, in its second major ruling, they struck down a portion of McCain Feingold campaign finance restrictions, ruling that the “millionaire exemption” is unconstitutional.
Media
Read More: The end of “campaign finance reform”?Taxes & Economy
Mexicans and Machines
The latest Drew Carey video on Reason TV tackles NAFTA, robots stealing jobs, and the benefits of creative descrution. I don’t know whether I laughed harder at the machines…
Media
Read More: Mexicans and MachinesGovernment Accountability
Turnpike Commission Lobbying Expenses
Here are the Turnpike Commission’s 2007-08 lobbyist expense reports with the PA Dept. of StateThat comes to $519,000 over 15 months (just at the state level). Jan…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission Lobbying ExpensesTaxes & Economy
Right to Bear Arms Still Exists
The Supreme Court ruled that individuals have the right to own guns. Click here for the Patriot News story. Some early commentary from Reason Foundation, Amanda Carpenter,…
Media
Read More: Right to Bear Arms Still ExistsHealth Care
How much will an autism mandate cost?
The PA Health Care Containment Council allegedly has a study (it hasn’t been released, but some media are reporting on it) claiming that a new mandate that insurance companies…
Media
Read More: How much will an autism mandate cost?Health Care
Do Democrats want people to die?
Yesterday, I got an email from a lobbying organization, which masquerades as a grassroots organization, led by Governor Rendell’s campaign manager with the subject, “As The Senate Delays, People…
Media
Read More: Do Democrats want people to die?
The Turnpike Commission’s misinformation campaign
Here is a collection of news stories and posts on the Turnpike Commission’s toll-funded lobbying, marketing, and misinformation campaign to protect and expand their fiefdom. TV Ad Campaign…
Media
Read More: The Turnpike Commission’s misinformation campaignRegulation
State to save us from danger of unauthorized massages
The PA House voted 193-5 to create a new board to license massage therapists (HT GrassrootsPA). The board will collect licensing fees fees, certify educational requirements, test would-be…
Media
Read More: State to save us from danger of unauthorized massagesHealth Care
Address Health Care, Not Health Insurance
Letter to the editor in The Daily Item focus on the Senate Republican’s health care reform plan, specifically their proposal to aid free clinics. While I agree with…
Media
Read More: Address Health Care, Not Health InsuranceRegulation
House Republicans Highlight Debt, Rendell Spending
AP article on House Republicans (at least some of them) noting the enormous burden of debt on Pennsylvania taxpayers before voting on more borrowing for corporate welfare.
Media
Read More: House Republicans Highlight Debt, Rendell Spending