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
Study: Smoking Bans increase drunk driving
A new study in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Public Economics finds that “smoking bans increase drunken-driving fatalities”; reported on the Marginal Revolution blog. This effect is…
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Read More: Study: Smoking Bans increase drunk drivingEducation
The School Choice Gold Standard
The Friedman Foundation has a new report grading the various scholarship, voucher, and tax credit programs across the US on three categories – student restrictions (how many students can…
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Read More: The School Choice Gold Standard
VIDEO: Critics Say Turnpike Needs Reform
NBC 5 Video on the Turnpike Commission’s dining expenses charged to drivers. They spent a mindboggling total of $1,800 at Haydn’s on Pine in Harrisburg in June 2007 (when…
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Read More: VIDEO: Critics Say Turnpike Needs ReformTaxes & Economy
Ethanol: Another dose of snake oil?
Another article, from the Star-Tribune, on the hype of ethanol, which summarizes the issue pretty well: 1)Ethanol results in more carbon emissions – “By clearing forests and grasslands…
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Read More: Ethanol: Another dose of snake oil?Taxes & Economy
Federal “Stimulus” Rebate Calculator
Here is a tool to calculate for federal rebate under the federal “stimulus” package, courtesy of Consumerism Commentary Blog. (You will need to have or know your 2007 federal…
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Read More: Federal “Stimulus” Rebate CalculatorState Budget
Borrowing in 2008-09 Budget
Below is some more analysis of the proposed borrowing in Governor Rendell’s proposed budget – $2.6 billion in debt will be issued in 2008-09. (More on PA’s Total Debt…
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Read More: Borrowing in 2008-09 BudgetWelfare
The Lesson of Ebenezer Scrooge
Fantastic article in the Freeman compares and contrasts Ebenezer Scrooge to the proponents of the welfare state: The treadmill, poor law, and union workhouses to which Scrooge…
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Read More: The Lesson of Ebenezer ScroogeGovernment Accountability
State bonus probe widens to Senate’s GOP caucus
The Bonus-Gate investigation extends to the Senate GOP, the Patriot News reports. Former staffer-turned-lobbyist Mike Long was one recipient whe defended the bonus process: Long, a former…
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Read More: State bonus probe widens to Senate’s GOP caucusEducation
School choice suggested for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review discusses how a Milwaukee-like school choice program might work in Pittsburgh, after speaking with former Milwaukee mayor John Norquist. Norquist will be speaking at an event on…
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Read More: School choice suggested for PittsburghTaxes & Economy
‘Stimulus’ Nonsense
Arthur Laffer in the Wall Street Journal on the Stimulus Nonsense of robbing Peter to pay Paul: All of the stimulative effects of the rebate to the recipients…
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Read More: ‘Stimulus’ NonsenseGovernment Accountability
Rendell: Conservatives don’t like Black people
Gov. Rendell said today that conservatives (or at least a small, but meaningful percentage) “are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate.” He attributes his margin of…
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Read More: Rendell: Conservatives don’t like Black peopleEducation
Don’t write off vouchers
Robert Enlow in USA Today on the merits of school voucher programs. Enlow is providing the counterpoint to a piece arguing for moving away from the push for…
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Read More: Don’t write off vouchersGovernment Accountability
Mommy, why is Vince Fumo in our kitchen?
The latest Vince Fumo for Senate ad ends with a little girl asking,”Mommy, why is that man in our kitchen?” Oh, so many punchlines to choose from. I’m going…
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Read More: Mommy, why is Vince Fumo in our kitchen?Taxes & Economy
States of Opportunity
Wall Street Journal on the net domestic migration from high-tax to low-tax states.
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Read More: States of OpportunityEducation
PHEAA must pay legal fees
The Commonwealth Court ruled that PHEAA must pay $48,000 in legal fees to the AP, WTAE TV, and the Patriot News for “wanton disregard in withholding public records”:…
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Read More: PHEAA must pay legal feesHealth Care
The “Cost of the Uninsured”
Many proposals for “universal health care”, including RendellCare, claim that there will be savings by eliminating what everyone pays on “costs for the uninsured”, or uncompensated care.But a new…
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Read More: The “Cost of the Uninsured”Taxes & Economy
Consumption of the Rich and Poor
Interesting analysis in the New York Times of consumption by income category (for a quick summary, click on the chart): If we look at consumption per person,…
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Read More: Consumption of the Rich and PoorTaxes & Economy
Court strikes down EPA’s emissions rule
A federal court struck down the federal EPA’s emissions rule in a lawsuit partially funded by Pennsylvania Taxpayers. My understanding of the ruling – and feel free to correct…
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Read More: Court strikes down EPA’s emissions ruleTaxes & Economy
Living Large
ReasonTV video with Drew Carey on America’s middle class.
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Read More: Living Large
Turnpike Commission’s Posh Travel Spending
WGAL News 8has a story on the toll-funded travel expenditures for Turnpike CEO Joe Brimmeier, including some high priced dinners. On a trip to Chicago, for…
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Read More: Turnpike Commission’s Posh Travel SpendingTaxes & Economy
Study: Ethanol may add to global warming
Another study finds that ethanol and biofuels are not “green” and will only increase greenhouse gasses: The study said that after taking into account expected worldwide land-use changes,…
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Read More: Study: Ethanol may add to global warming