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.”
The Milton Friedman Choir on School Choice
The Milton Friedman Choir sings the School Choice Song Hat Tip to The Sam Adams Alliance, via the NTU Blog…
Media
Read More: The Milton Friedman Choir on School Choice
Blaim Steelers’ Fans for Soggy Field
A lot has been made about the condition of the field during last night’s Steelers-Dolphins game. First off let me say that was a great football game, and anyone who…
Media
Read More: Blaim Steelers’ Fans for Soggy Field
A new rathole
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the use of taxpayer money to conduct political polls.
Media
Read More: A new rathole
Does Socialism Work in Health Care? Debunking the Myths
John Goodman on some facts about Canadian and US health care.
Media
Read More: Does Socialism Work in Health Care? Debunking the Myths
State bonus investigation a step ahead of shredders
Post-Gazette article on how the Attorney General’s investigation into Bonusgate is prevent House Democrats from recycling paper.
Media
Read More: State bonus investigation a step ahead of shredders
Turnpike Commission’s version of MiniTru
Turnpike Commission Vice-Chair and bond attorney Tim Carson in the Morning Call offers a rebuttal to the Brouillette-Gilroy Commentary. Carson’s editorial is as accurate as an Enron…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission’s version of MiniTru
The Tragedy of the Commons
John Stossel on the lost lesson of Thanksgiving: When the Pilgrims first settled the Plymouth Colony, they organized their farm economy along communal lines. The goal was to…
Media
Read More: The Tragedy of the Commons
Turnpike temerity: Stop the games!
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the Turnpike Commission’s shenanigans.
Media
Read More: Turnpike temerity: Stop the games!
The Most Important Election of Our Time
What happens when there is a tie for election? Run off? Coin Flip? Supreme Court case? Duel to the death? Rock Paper Scissors? In the case of the Wormleysburg Assessors…
Media
Read More: The Most Important Election of Our Time
Videos and Pictures from Speaker Franklin Awards Dinner
Videos from the Speaker Franklin Awards Dinner on YouTube View the Photos on Flickr…
Media
Read More: Videos and Pictures from Speaker Franklin Awards Dinner
A new effort on open-records bill
Bill DeWeese is planning to push an amendment to the House open records bill, which would strengthen it, making it like the Senate bill, but applying to the…
Media
Read More: A new effort on open-records bill
SEC investigation into Brimmeier?
Here is a letter to SEC regional director Daniel Hawkes from Sen. Jake Corman, and the response from the SEC director. Corman questions whether or not Pennsylvania Turnpike…
Media
Read More: SEC investigation into Brimmeier?
Pa. puts a heavy stake on I-80 tolls
Good summary of the I-80 tolling situation and the concerns regarding federal approval – including noting that mass transit would get $150 million less if I-80 is not tolled…
Media
Read More: Pa. puts a heavy stake on I-80 tolls
EBay sellers pushed to get auctioneer licenses
In an absurd extension of state power, the Board of Auctioneer Examiners in the State Department is trying to shut down EBay sellers (those selling on behalf on others). See…
Media
Read More: EBay sellers pushed to get auctioneer licenses
State Small Business Climate Ranking
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council released its state rankings on Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship. Pennsylvania ranks a middling 24th (1 is best). The rankings incorporate several taxes, government…
Media
Read More: State Small Business Climate Ranking
Where do judges come from?
Paul Jacob on Townhall.com on “merit selection” of judges in Missouri. So, just who makes up the Appellate Judicial Commission? How are they chosen? Good questions. The…
Media
Read More: Where do judges come from?
Colossal Waste of Tax Dollars for Useless Education Study
Allegheny Institute Policy Brief on the “costing out study”. To further illustrate the wrongheadedness of the study, consider its recommendation for two Southwestern Pennsylvania school districts that…
Media
Read More: Colossal Waste of Tax Dollars for Useless Education Study
More Resources on Costing Out Studies
Courtroom Alchemy – Education Next: We reviewed results from professional judgment studies in eight states released from 2001 to 2003. All eight studies were conducted by…
Media
Read More: More Resources on Costing Out Studies
State’s Debt Totals More Than $105 Billion
Evening Bulletin article on our brief analysis of state debt.
Media
Read More: State’s Debt Totals More Than $105 Billion
Leave commenting on PA Politics to me, Sandra Day O’Connor
Sandra Day O’Connor disses Russ Diamond in today’s Wall Street Journal, along with calling for appointing judges and government-run campaigns: These three reforms [I’ll discuss below] will help,…
Media
Read More: Leave commenting on PA Politics to me, Sandra Day O’Connor
Costing Out Study – Quick Numbers
I haven’t had a chance to look at the “costing out study” yet, which said we need spend $12,067 per-pupil to achieve an “adequate education” but here is the key…
Media
Read More: Costing Out Study – Quick Numbers