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.”
Taxes & Economy
Freedom from Government Day
The American Institute for Economic Research has calculated that today, May 19, is the date at which Americans have earned enough income to pay for all governing spending. They…
Media
Read More: Freedom from Government Day
Turnpike Lease Details
Details from the Governor’s announcement on the winning bid for a Turnpike lease. The complete concession agreement (686 pages) is here. Top Bid: $12.8 Billion Winning Bidder: Abertis/Citi Infrastructure…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Lease Details
Medicaid Money Laundering
Wall Street Journal reviews how states are taking advantage of the Medicaid system to get more money from the federal government (i.e. ripping off taxpayers). Here is a…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Money LaunderingGovernment Accountability
Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expense
Philadelphia Inquirer article covers the price of lawmakers buying gas at taxpayer expense. There is also a list of who drives taxpayer subsidized, non-hybrid SUVs (i.e. gas guzzlers).
Media
Read More: Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expenseEducation
NEA on the Presidential Candidates
The National Education Association put out their candidate guide, giving both the candidates’ positions and the NEA’s positions on power grabs for union leaders education issues. Here is the…
Media
Read More: NEA on the Presidential Candidates
Nation’s Newest School Choice Program
Georgia enacted new legislation that would create a tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations. Much like Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit, the Georgia plan allows…
Media
Read More: Nation’s Newest School Choice Program
“Simple math” on turnpike lease
Williamsport SunGazette editorializes that the math should be easy on a Turnpike lease bid: use what the Turnpike Commission will give (i.e. our calculation) and the bid –…
Media
Read More: “Simple math” on turnpike leaseRegulation
More Outrage at Pension COLA
Tony Phyrillas has added to the number of voices noting that the proposed Pension COLA means higher property taxes.
Media
Read More: More Outrage at Pension COLA
Video: Choosing our Judges
Here is the video from yesterday’s luncheon on the subject of merit selection vs. election of Pennnylvania judges:…
Media
Read More: Video: Choosing our Judges
Long Waits for Health Care Are Costing Canadians Billions of Dollars
Here is a new article on the problems with “universal” health care in Canada from the latest Health Care News.
Media
Read More: Long Waits for Health Care Are Costing Canadians Billions of DollarsTaxes & Economy
Politicians and Economics
While a number of people say that many economic policy issues are “too complex” for the general public Thomas Sowell argues that for the most part these concepts –…
Media
Read More: Politicians and EconomicsGovernment Accountability
Cerberus Responds
Responding to my commentary today, Rep. Babbette Josephs – who I termed the Cerberus of the General Assembly – issued a news release defending her record, and…
Media
Read More: Cerberus RespondsRegulation
Big Business Loves Big Government
Michael G. Franc in NRO Online analyzes a seemingly suprising fundraising advantage by Democratic candidates among corporate CEOs – surprising given that Democrats continue to call for higher taxes,…
Media
Read More: Big Business Loves Big GovernmentGovernment Accountability
The Cerberus of the General Assembly
In Greek Mythology, the river Styx separates the earth from Hades. A giant three-headed dog named Cerberus guards the river, allowing the dead to enter Hades, but preventing anyone—save a…
Commentary
Read More: The Cerberus of the General AssemblyRegulation
Gaming Control Board screw-ups continue
A number of PA House Republicans are calling for PA AG Tom Corbett to investigate the Gaming Control Board (as if he didn’t already have enough government officials…
Media
Read More: Gaming Control Board screw-ups continueGovernment Accountability
Taxpayer bill in Bonusgate grows
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that legal fees in the Bonusgate scandal now top $1 million – $700,000 by House Democrats. Yes, that is taxpayer-funded lawyers to defend politicians…
Media
Read More: Taxpayer bill in Bonusgate growsEducation
The myths of cyber schools
A May 11 article on cyber schools in the Daily Local repeats claims that cyber schools are a major drain on taxpayers (though with a strong rebuttal…
Media
Read More: The myths of cyber schoolsTaxes & Economy
Who Gets Federal Energy Subsidies?
The Wall Street Journal has an article on who gets federal energy subsidies, based on a EIA report. The WSJ focuses most of the attention on electricity subsidies;…
Media
Read More: Who Gets Federal Energy Subsidies?
Turnpike lease “winning” bid to be announced next week
Governor Rendell held a press conference to announce the “winning bid” on the Pennsylvania Turnpike lease will likely be presented next Monday. Rendell also stated: Bids were within…
Media
Read More: Turnpike lease “winning” bid to be announced next weekTaxes & Economy
The Wall Street Bailout Enhancement Act
The Heritage Foundation’s Foundry blog summarizes the flaws of the federal mortgage bailout bill. The CNNMoney article linked to also provides a good synopsis of what the bill…
Media
Read More: The Wall Street Bailout Enhancement ActHealth Care
PA liability for state retiree health: $8.8 billion
The PA Office of the Budget released their actuarial report on retiree health care liabilities, revealing that the estimated unfunded liablity as of July 1, 2008 is $8.8 billion…
Media
Read More: PA liability for state retiree health: $8.8 billion