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.”
‘Foreign’ is not a dirty word
Great Op-Ed in the Post-Gazette by Todd Malan on the issue of “foreign” companies bidding on the Turnpike: Finally, if the bidding process is robust, the likely…
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Rendell offers toll parameters for Turnpike Lease
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article covers Governor Rendell’s statements on a potential lease, with the headline that “Turnpike fare increases will be regulated”. The idea that a Turnpike lease would result…
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Read More: Rendell offers toll parameters for Turnpike LeaseTaxes & Economy
How important are elections?
Here are a couple of good commentaries on the importance of politics and elections. Though they draw the opposite conclusion, they follow a similar theme, and I find myself agreeing…
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Read More: How important are elections?Education
(Not) A closer look at Cyber Schools
IssuesPA has a new article on Cyber School Funding. They claim to provide “a closer look at the ongoing debate”, but don’t look any closer than quoting what some…
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Read More: (Not) A closer look at Cyber Schools
Bill for Turnpike Lobbying: $700,000
Joe Grata in the Post-Gazette with a look at the Turnpike Commission’s $700,000 in lobbying contracts for 2007 ($396,000 at the federal level and $316,000 for Harrisburg lobbyist –…
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Read More: Bill for Turnpike Lobbying: $700,000Government Accountability
Rendell Commits $126 Million in Secret Letters
Democracy Rising on the fundraising letters sent by Governor Rendell (most during the 2006 campaign) promising taxpayer funding to a variety of corporations.
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Read More: Rendell Commits $126 Million in Secret LettersTaxes & Economy
Economic Freedom and Prosperity
The Heritage Foundation, in conjuction with the Wall Street Journal, released the Index of Economic Freedom 2008. The rankings have not change dramatically from past years, but what I…
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Read More: Economic Freedom and ProsperityPublic Union Democracy
Workers’ Rights Model Legislation
Evergreen Freedom Foundation has released a new report with model legislation to protect workers’ rights – including paycheck protection, right to work, and others.
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Read More: Workers’ Rights Model LegislationTaxes & Economy
Reagan’s Economy
Spokesman for the Clinton campaign, one-time economist, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman attempts to denounce Barack Obama for even mentioning Ronald Reagan without espousing anger and hatred towards…
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Read More: Reagan’s EconomyTaxes & Economy
U.S. Map of Religions
This map of most common religious denomination by county from Mark Perry’s blog is fascinating. Only a smattering of counties have a majority of one religion/denomination (with clushers…
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Read More: U.S. Map of ReligionsGovernment Accountability
States Resist REAL ID Implementation
Budget & Tax News update on pushback from states (and in Congress) against the REAL ID, with deadlines looming.
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Read More: States Resist REAL ID ImplementationTaxes & Economy
Gas Taxes Are High Enough
US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in the WSJ on how the gas tax is high enough, and how public-private partnerships can be a solution to transportation funding needs.
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Read More: Gas Taxes Are High EnoughTaxes & Economy
No Stimulus Gimmicks
Following Wednesday’s post about the lack of any economic gains of a short term “economic stimulus” plan, here are a number of recent comments on the subject. A commentary…
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Turnpike’s defenders go on offense
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story on how the beneficiaries defenders of the Turnpike Commission are stalling, claiming that Turnpike Tolls would be much higher under a private lease, and planning to…
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Read More: Turnpike’s defenders go on offenseGovernment Accountability
Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records?
PassOpenRecords.org asks if letters from Governor Rendell promising state funds to a variety of projects would be considered open records. They are looking for readers to comment on that…
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Read More: Are Secret Funding Letters Open Records?Government Accountability
Lawmakers Spend Hundreds Of Thousands To See If They Misspent Money
WGAL reports that state lawmakers spent $300,000 (mostly from House Democrats) on legal fees relating to the bonusgate investigation. The headline basically says it all. Props to freshmen Eugene…
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Read More: Lawmakers Spend Hundreds Of Thousands To See If They Misspent MoneyTaxes & Economy
PA House Passes Tax Cuts
With a unanimous 197-0 vote, the Pennsylvania House Passed HB 377 which would: Roll back the Personal Income Tax rate to 2.80% over two years Reduce the Corporate Net…
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Read More: PA House Passes Tax CutsTaxes & Economy
Tax Rebates Will Not Stimulate The Economy
Heritage Foundation commentary on why neither tax “rebates” nor “ecnomic stimulous” spending would result in economic growth. Critics contend that rebates “inject” new money into the economy, increasing…
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Read More: Tax Rebates Will Not Stimulate The EconomyTaxes & Economy
Turnpike lease and ‘foreign’ companies
The latest news that Senate President pro tem Joe Scanarti will be introducing a “hybrid” Turnpike lease plan (Tribune Review story), which appears to be different that Senator…
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Read More: Turnpike lease and ‘foreign’ companiesGovernment Accountability
Reform is not a Rendell priority
So says Tony Phyrillas, in response to Governor Rendell’s put-down of a special session on public integrity.
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Read More: Reform is not a Rendell priorityTaxes & Economy
The Ethanol Fallacy
Popular Mechanics on The Ethanol Fallacy: So what should the government do? First off: no harm. Instead of trying to mandate specific technologies—and risk locking us into…
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Read More: The Ethanol Fallacy