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.”
Health Care
Health Insurance Mandate Update
Wall Street Journal op-ed by CAHI researchers on the cost of the 1,961 health insurance mandates. A health-insurance “mandate” is a legislative requirement that an insurance company or…
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Read More: Health Insurance Mandate UpdateState Budget
New Borrowing + New Taxes = “Avoidance of Debt”
In the Post-Gazette, Governor Rendell continues to argue that his insurance tax is a tax: Mr. Rendell strongly denies that the surcharge is a new tax. Instead,…
Media
Read More: New Borrowing + New Taxes = “Avoidance of Debt”Taxes & Economy
Federal Stimulus=$300K per job
The Heritage Foundation Foundry Blog sums up the “economic stimulus” package just passed by the US Senate. OMB Director Jim Nussle (advocating in favor of the stimulus package),…
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Read More: Federal Stimulus=$300K per jobTaxes & Economy
Proposed PA Budget Details
For all the budget watchers and number-crunchers out there, here are some additional budget resources: Spreadsheet with all the line items from the proposed General Fund Budget (Microsoft Excel…
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Read More: Proposed PA Budget DetailsTaxes & Economy
Video from Budget Biopsy Luncheon
Watch Below or here…
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Read More: Video from Budget Biopsy LuncheonTaxes & Economy
Are You Nuts Governor?
Governor Ed Rendell goes ballistic on KDKA reporter Jon Delano, asking “Are you nuts, Jon? Are you nuts?” (watch the incredible Video Clip) Delano’s sanity is in question…
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Read More: Are You Nuts Governor?Taxes & Economy
Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business owners
Governor Rendell’s budget calls for another slowdown of the Corporate Stock and Franchise Tax phaseout. While this isn’t technically a tax increase – rather represents less of a reduction…
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Read More: Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business ownersHealth Care
Cover A Few Pennsylvanians update
A few weeks ago, we put out some quick facts about the few Pennsylvanians that would be covered by “Cover All Pennsylvanians.” Based on the new Governor’s budget, we…
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Read More: Cover A Few Pennsylvanians updateGovernment Accountability
Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunched
The Liberty Index, now produced by the Conservative Reform PAC was released today, rating all state legislators and Governor Rendell on legislation through the end 2007. Hat Tip…
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Read More: Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunchedHealth Care
Rendell still pushing RendellCare
Within the last few weeks, three state health care proposals fundamentally similar to Governor Rendell’s “Cover All Pennsylvanians” added to my “bad ideas pile” California legislators overwhelming rejected…
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Read More: Rendell still pushing RendellCare
Turnpike leasing gets another look
Editorial in the Lancaster New Era on a Turnpike lease takes to task the fearmongers opposing the idea: Are opponents skeptical, or fearful, of turning the turnpike over…
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Read More: Turnpike leasing gets another lookRegulation
Rendell’s Stimulus
Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced his wealth redistribution scheme, which he calls “economic stimulus”. His plan includes Cash welfare payments: Rendell is proposing spending $130 million (borrowing it from the…
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Read More: Rendell’s StimulusGovernment Accountability
“Groundhog day” on Open Records
The Open Records bill (SB 1) is expected to be voted on in the House this week, after passing the Senate last week. See the press release from Common…
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Read More: “Groundhog day” on Open RecordsEducation
Budget Preview
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story previews Rendell’s budget proposal, including “Rebuilding Pennsylvania”, involving a three-year, $860 million ($287/year average) in new spending on infrastructure, mostly through new borrowing. He also promises…
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Read More: Budget PreviewHealth Care
Equity and Health Care
Wall Street Journal editorial looks at reforming health care through the tax code. That is, giving individuals the same tax benefits in buying health insurance as employers, along with…
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Read More: Equity and Health CareState Budget
Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?
The Patriot News profiles Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and it looks like he will be putting the Taxpayer Protection Act as a top priority, and even suggests…
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Read More: Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?Regulation
Specter and the NFL
The response to news that Arlen Specter wants to hold hearing with the NFL over “spy-gate” has been met with universal disdain – see, for instance, Don Boudreaux’s…
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Read More: Specter and the NFLTaxes & Economy
Climate Debate Daily
New website, Climate Debate Daily, features the latest updates on the debate over global warming – what is occuring, why it is occuring, and what to do about it…
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Read More: Climate Debate DailyTaxes & Economy
Understanding the Laffer Curve
Center for Freedom and Propserity provides this video on the Laffer Curve. The key points are that 1)Most tax cuts spur economic growth and provide “feedback” tax revenue. 2)…
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Read More: Understanding the Laffer CurveEducation
Voucher foes hurt poor kids
Editorial in the Chicago Sun Times on President Bush’s “Pell Grants for Kids” and the unions’ mindless rhetoric denouncing school choice.
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Read More: Voucher foes hurt poor kidsGovernment Accountability
Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader
This weekend, sports fans have the ineviable choice of rooting for Luke Skywalker or for Darth Vader in the Super Bowl. Yes, Luke is whiny and obnoxious (read: Eli Manning),…
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Read More: Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader