Nathan Benefield

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Nathan Benefield

Chief Policy Officer

Nathan (Nate) Benefield is the Chief Policy Officer at the Commonwealth Foundation.

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.”

Another Election, Another Victory for Citizens

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 9, 2007

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania on why Tuesday election was a victory for citizens: Voters had access to more and better information about judicial candidates than at any time in…

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Read More: Another Election, Another Victory for Citizens

The Strangest Use of Tax Dollars

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2007

Below is a bizzare video, paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars. Hat tip to The Club For Growth who report it cost $4,197. And over at NTU, they compute…

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Read More: The Strangest Use of Tax Dollars

More Reform Obituaries

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2007

Reformers’ next task: how to remain relevant – Morning CallTurn-’em-out drive failed – or did it? – Philadelphia InquirerA Rebuff to Reformers – Patriot News…

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Read More: More Reform Obituaries

A Voucher Defeat in Utah

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2007

Adam Schaeffer in the Wall Street Journal on why tax credits are a better tool for providing school choice than vouchers. Topics on this pageThe Wall…

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Read More: A Voucher Defeat in Utah

Response to Reform is Not Dead!

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2007

There are two types of halftime speeches – the rousing “win one for the Gipper” speech and the in-your-face, “you are playing like a bunch of [explicatives]”. I tried to…

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Read More: Response to Reform is Not Dead!

Poll: I-80 toll less popular than leasing the Pa. Turnpike

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 7, 2007

The Quinnipiac (I spelled it right on the first try) poll reveals that tolling I-80 is less popular than a Turnpike lease read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story or click…

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Read More: Poll: I-80 toll less popular than leasing the Pa. Turnpike

Reform is Not Dead! (yet)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 7, 2007

John Micek already posed the question: Bad night all around for the Clean Sweepers. All the under-ticket state judges appear poised to hold onto their jobs as well.

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Read More: Reform is Not Dead! (yet)

Election News Roundup

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 7, 2007

Patriot News on Judicial Retentions and on Supreme Court Elections Inquirer on races in the Southeast and on the less competitive Philadelphia Mayor’s race. Post-Gazette on…

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Read More: Election News Roundup

Election Day Updates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2007

GrassrootsPA is keeping running updates of elections news and reports from the polls, so that we don’t have to. John Micek is live blogging over at Capitol Ideas.

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Read More: Election Day Updates

Justifying Pork

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2007

Andrew Roth takes on the leading excuses for earmarks by Congress. These same excusses are used to defend WAMs and other corporate welfare in Pennsylvania (see here and…

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Read More: Justifying Pork

Consumer Driven Health Plans: Working as Intended

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2007

New report from Consumers for Health Care Choices on the effect of Consumer Driven Health Plans: When these programs were being considered, proponents said they would have several…

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Read More: Consumer Driven Health Plans: Working as Intended

A chance to end farm subsidies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2007

Los Angeles Times editorial on the corporate welfare for rich farmers (including those in Manhattan). IDB has an op-ed of its own on the upcoming vote. Also…

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Read More: A chance to end farm subsidies

$2 million spent by PHEAA on giveaways

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2007

Jan Murphy of the Patriot News exposes more PHEAA expenses – including “giveaways” such as golf balls, LL Bean Jackets, and T-Shirts bearing the PHEAA logo, I-Pods and DVD…

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Read More: $2 million spent by PHEAA on giveaways

Convert state pensions to defined contribution

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2007

Senator Pat Browne has an op-ed in The Morning Call on the need to reform our public pension systems and the legislation he will be sponsoring in the…

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Read More: Convert state pensions to defined contribution

Beyond Those Health Care Numbers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2007

Greg Mankiw in the New York Times on the misuse of health care statistics – life expectancy, “47 million uninsured,” and costs of health care. Topics on this…

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Read More: Beyond Those Health Care Numbers

Scarnati submits op-ed by Turnpike Commission

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 2, 2007

Frothing at the mouth, President Pro-Tem Joe Scarnati cites the “evil foreign company” argument as to why he won’t allow consideration of a Turnpike lease (even though several…

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Read More: Scarnati submits op-ed by Turnpike Commission

Last Chance to Learn About Judges

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 2, 2007

Here are surveys/info about the judges up for election and retention: Democracy Rising Judicial SurveyPennsylvania Family Institute Voters’ Guide PA League of Women’s Voters Voters’…

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Read More: Last Chance to Learn About Judges

Why we blog

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 1, 2007

Nicholas Carr thinks Greg Mankiw should stop blogging. His rationale is the economic concept of “comparative advantage” – that is, Greg Mankiw is a brilliant economist and should…

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Read More: Why we blog

For-Profit Philly Schools show math gains

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 1, 2007

A new study finds that for-profit school management led to math test score gains in Philadelphia (News Release and AP Story): “The impact of for-profit…

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Read More: For-Profit Philly Schools show math gains