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.”
Regulation
Surprise! Stadium Predictions Flawed
David Boaz comments on reports that the taxpayer-subsidized baseball stadium for the Washington Nationals isn’t paying dividends. But then, we already knew that, and Boaz cites a slew of…
Media
Read More: Surprise! Stadium Predictions FlawedGovernment Accountability
No Lame Duck Session in 2008
The PA Senate Republican leadership announced they will not be a lame duck session in 08. Bob Regola, prime sponsor of a Constitutional Amendment banning lame duck sessions, offers…
Media
Read More: No Lame Duck Session in 2008Taxes & Economy
REAL ID in PA update
Miss Behavin writes about Pennsylvania lawmakers efforts to respond to REAL ID, and specifically on the latest hearing. More info on the REAL ID backlash here.
Media
Read More: REAL ID in PA updateGovernment Accountability
Cerberus keeps another reform in Limbo
Tracy Mauriello of the Post-Gazette reports that House State Government Committee chair Babette Josephs (who I termed the Cerberus of the General Assembly) tabled a bill on redistricting…
Media
Read More: Cerberus keeps another reform in LimboHealth Care
Fixing Health Care in the States
The Wall Street Journal has two articles about health insurance reform in other states. First, from Florida, where the state has enacted a law that will allow low-cost, mandate…
Media
Read More: Fixing Health Care in the States
US Transportation Sec. Peters likes Turnpike lease deal
US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters expressed support for the Pennsylvania Turnpike lease deal on the department’s blog. Toll Roads News has the coverage. Peters notes: “If the…
Media
Read More: US Transportation Sec. Peters likes Turnpike lease dealTaxes & Economy
Taxing Porn Back in Vogue
For the 2nd time in a year a Pennsylvania lawmaker has proposed taxing strip clubs, this time it is Rep. Paul Clymer. (HT Grassroots PA) The Tax Foundation…
Media
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Is the Turnpike Commission stalling on I-80?
Congressman Peterson seems to think so, as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports, and I have already assumed as much. For the record, here is the Act 44 timeline: –…
Media
Read More: Is the Turnpike Commission stalling on I-80?Education
Homeschooling saves taxpayers
This analysis from the Heritage Foundation (it was released in April, but I missed it until the hullabaloo over Subway and homeschoolers) finds than homeschooling saves American taxpayers…
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Read More: Homeschooling saves taxpayersTaxes & Economy
Tax Lessons from Michigan
Michigan’s recent experience in tax policy, summed up in today’s Wall Street Journal, should offer a lesson to other states. After raising taxes to fill in a budget shortfall,…
Media
Read More: Tax Lessons from MichiganGovernment Accountability
Fumo makes Reader’s Digest list of corrupt pols
Congratulations are in order for Senator Vince Fumo, who was named “one of the most crooked politicians in America” in this month’s Reader’s Digest, based on his 272…
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Read More: Fumo makes Reader’s Digest list of corrupt pols
‘Pike lease is good option for state road needs
The Morning Call has joined the media outlets endorsing the idea of a Turnpike lease.
Media
Read More: ‘Pike lease is good option for state road needsTaxes & Economy
Republicans Are in Denial
Tom Coburn in the Wall Street Journal writes on how “Compassionate Conservativsm” destroyed the Republican Party, and how the GOP’s problem isn’t “messaging”, its following through on principles. His…
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Read More: Republicans Are in DenialGovernment Accountability
Big government to blame for out-of-control lobbyists
Amanda Carpenter raises the point that lobbyists, for all their flaws, are not to blame for the corruption in Washington (or Harrisburg), but rather, it is unlimited government that…
Media
Read More: Big government to blame for out-of-control lobbyistsEducation
Home Skool Stoodents Spel to Gud
I found this story (HT to Michelle Malkin) interesting, mainly because of the irony. Subway is holding an essay contest which excludes homeschoolers—who have…
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Read More: Home Skool Stoodents Spel to GudTaxes & Economy
Federal Taxes and Household Income
The Congressional Budget Office has a new data page which shows the distribution of federal income taxes. Hat Tip to Government Bytes.
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Read More: Federal Taxes and Household IncomeEducation
PA 12th in ranking of charter school laws
The Center for Education Reform issued a ranking of charter school laws by state. Pennsylvania earns a respectable 12th, earning a ‘B’, but has room for improvement.
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Read More: PA 12th in ranking of charter school lawsTaxes & Economy
Gas Taxes By State
Mark J. Perry posted this map showing gas taxes by state. Note Pennsylvania is a red state on this map. The data source is API…
Media
Read More: Gas Taxes By StateTaxes & Economy
Economic “stimulus” to deliver?
Bloomberg.com reports most economists think the “job creation” from the economic stimulus package are greatly overstated – if there will be any at all. Oh, now you tell us.
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Read More: Economic “stimulus” to deliver?Taxes & Economy
How much of your workday goes to pay taxes?
The Tax Foundation has put their Tax Freedom Day calculations into an eight-hour workday: How Long America Works to Pay Taxes in…
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Read More: How much of your workday goes to pay taxes?Regulation
Take Us Out to the Ball Game
Reason TV has a new video on whether sports stadiums are really worth it. Nick Gillespie notes that stadium subsidies are just another example of the Edifice…
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Read More: Take Us Out to the Ball Game