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
Address the Cost of Health Care
Here is a letter to the editor I sent to the York Daily Record on health care reform: I am responding to a May 4 op-ed by Rep. Eugene…
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Read More: Address the Cost of Health CareTaxes & Economy
State Income Taxes and Economic Growth
The Cato Journal has an article looking at the effects of state taxes and economic growth. Their finding, which should not surprise our readers, is that high marginal…
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Read More: State Income Taxes and Economic GrowthRegulation
Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny State
Here is an interesting read on the science of smoking and smoking bans, with plenty of additional resources listed in the end, written by Joe Jackson (yes, that…
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Read More: Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny StateEducation
Talking Cyber Schools
I discuss Cyber Schools on this week’s Lincoln Radio Journal with Lowman Henry of the Lincoln Institute. Our recent policy brief on cyber schools is here. I…
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Read More: Talking Cyber SchoolsState Budget
A Closer Look at Stadium Subsidies
The American magazine has an exposé on sport stadium subsidies, by Dennis Coates, reaching the conclusion that they do not result in broad economic growth: My own research,…
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Read More: A Closer Look at Stadium SubsidiesTaxes & Economy
Rendell: “Let me spend your money, or face ‘total meltdown'”
Ed Rendell is up to his old demogoguery on his energy proposal. This time he claims he will reduce everyone’s energy costs, and there will be a or ‘total…
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Read More: Rendell: “Let me spend your money, or face ‘total meltdown'”Health Care
Health Care Reform (the right kind) in the states
Georgia enacted a few of the health care reforms we have been touting. From the SPN Blog: Georgia eliminates a major tax inequity by allowing individuals to…
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Read More: Health Care Reform (the right kind) in the statesPublic Union Democracy
In Defense of RINO Hunting
Pat Toomey lowers the hammer in the Wall Street Journal on the Republican establishment-types, who just want to win elections, regardless of policy, vision, or principles (note: this is…
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Read More: In Defense of RINO Hunting
SmartTalk on PA Turnpike Lease
Here is the video of Matt Brouillette’s appearance on last week’s Smart Talk Program on WITF discussing a lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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Read More: SmartTalk on PA Turnpike LeaseTaxes & Economy
Watch Our Award Winning Video
The Commonwealth Foundation’s video Frontlines of Liberty won a 2008 Telly Award. GK Visual gets the credit for producing the video (along with all our videos) but…
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Read More: Watch Our Award Winning VideoTaxes & Economy
South Carolina vs. PA
The Club For Growth has been keeping track of news on potential VP candidates, and this post on SC Mark Sanford stood out. Again, not because John McCain won’t…
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Read More: South Carolina vs. PAEducation
The Price is Wrong
Education Next story shows how little the general public knows about school spending. For instance, survey respondents were asked to estimate how much their school district spends, per pupil.
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Read More: The Price is WrongTaxes & Economy
Big Farm whips Big Oil
Great editorial on how “Big Farm” companies dominate “Big Oil” as a special interest, having both “record profits” and government subsidies for ethanol in the wake of a global…
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Read More: Big Farm whips Big OilTaxes & Economy
Does Marriage Matter?
As the PA Senate is expected to vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment today, I’d thought I’d remind readers that we discussed this proposal with both supporters and opponents…
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Read More: Does Marriage Matter?Health Care
Savings from McCain’s Health Care Tax Credit
With the re-release of John McCain’s health care plan came a lot of criticism (along with praise) over who benefits from his tax credit. McCain would offer…
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Read More: Savings from McCain’s Health Care Tax CreditRegulation
Harrisburg mayor proposing outsourcing parking
Patriot News reports that Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed proposing leasing operations of the city’s parking garages and meters to private operators. The deal would fetch $215 million for a…
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Read More: Harrisburg mayor proposing outsourcing parkingEducation
Happy Birthday EITC
Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit turns 7 this month; there is a birthday party at the Capitol beginning at noon today (I believe free cake is involved). For more…
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Read More: Happy Birthday EITCGovernment Accountability
NTU calls for Spending Transparency in PA
The National Taxpayers Unions has sent a letter encouraging passage of a spending transparency website. The legislation, SB 1350, was introduced by Sen. Browne in April. For more…
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Read More: NTU calls for Spending Transparency in PATaxes & Economy
Is the US in a recession?
Tony Phyrillas writes that the U.S. is not in a recession. John Micek jokes about Phyrillas swallowing Bush’s rhetoric. Of course Tony has the evidence, whereas John is,…
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Read More: Is the US in a recession?Public Union Democracy
Endorsing Obama = End of Corruption
Wall Street Journal article on Barack Obama’s support for reducing oversight of the Teamsters. Says Obama, “organized crime influence in the union has drastically declined.” (HT Amanda Carpenter).
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Read More: Endorsing Obama = End of CorruptionRegulation
Pension COLA has hefty price tag
Charles Thompson has a story in the Patriot News about the high cost to taxpayers of the propose pension COLA. The Tribune Review also had an article last…
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Read More: Pension COLA has hefty price tag