Nathan Benefield

Nathan Benefield

Senior Vice President

Nathan (Nate) Benefield is the Senior Vice President 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 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.”

Poll on Judicial Retention – My Take

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2007

Triad Strategies and Susquehanna Polling released a very intersting poll on voter attitudes toward the November retention elections. Unfortunately, their analysis is all wrong. They found 63% of voters…

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Read More: Poll on Judicial Retention – My Take

I-80 lease signed with missing details

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer on the controversy over when the I-80 lease agreement was signed: Yesterday, the agencies said their lawyers had continued to work on details of the…

Media

Read More: I-80 lease signed with missing details

House Open Records bill weakened

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2007

AP story can be found here Reading Eagle story on Rep. Caltagirone (a cosponsor) withdrawing support following the changes.

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Read More: House Open Records bill weakened

Brouillette on PCN

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2007

Today’s hearing on Transportation Funding and Public Private Partnerships will be airing several times on the Pennsylvania Cable Network over the next few days. 8:35 pm tonight (Thursday)10:35…

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Read More: Brouillette on PCN

When was I-80 lease signed?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2007

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is claiming they complied with Act 44 deadlines, and impugns our news release on the issue. In an October 17 news release, the PTC stated,…

Media

Read More: When was I-80 lease signed?

How to Argue against SCHIP

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2007

While the PA House is currently debating a resolution to encourage members of Congress to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP (granted, marginally less wasteful of time and resources than…

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Read More: How to Argue against SCHIP

Senator Folmer Unveils “Healthy Pennsylvania”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2007

State Senator Mike Folmer has unveiled his Healthy Pennsylvania proposal – a series of health care reforms, that would promote competition and reduce costs of health insurance and health…

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Ethanol’s Water Shortage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2007

Wall Street Journal piece with more on the problems with ethanol mandates and subsidies: Writing in Science magazine, Renton Righelato and Dominick Spracklen estimate that in order…

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Read More: Ethanol’s Water Shortage

SCHIP Demagoguery

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2007

Amanda Carpenter on more SCHIP rhetoric from Nancy Pelosi. Paul Simon, sans Garfunkel, also spoke, as he needs a photo opportunity; he wants a shot at redemption; he…

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Read More: SCHIP Demagoguery

I-80 lease agreement ready

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2007

Morning Call reports that the contract between PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission for tolling and leasing I-80 is ready to be signed. Though it is unclear if any such…

Media

Read More: I-80 lease agreement ready

Lots of reform news

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2007

Yesterday was a big day for reform issues: The push for a better Open Records law included a news conference and a potential vote on Wednesday. (More on the…

Media

Read More: Lots of reform news

Lincoln Institute’s Fall Business Survey

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2007

The latest Keystone Business Climate Survey has been released by the Lincoln Institute. Click here for Survey Highlights The full Survey Results are here…

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Read More: Lincoln Institute’s Fall Business Survey

I-80 Lease Agreement

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2007

Toll Roads News on the “Rube Goldberg” contraption that is the I-80 lease agreement between PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission, expected to be signed today.

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Read More: I-80 Lease Agreement

BonusGate investigation heats up

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer on the expansion of the BonusGate investigation and subpoena of several more staffers. Also check out the Patriot News story. Brad Bumsted offers his…

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Read More: BonusGate investigation heats up

Bill aims to ban teacher strikes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2007

Several state lawmakers will introduce a bill today to end teacher strikes in Pennsylvania. The legislation will be similar to a bill introduced by Todd Rock, but will…

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Read More: Bill aims to ban teacher strikes

Civic Literacy Report – Take the Quiz

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2007

The latest Intercollegiate Studies Institute report on civic literacy for colleges and universities is available online, along with quiz itself. (HT to Pete DeCoursey). I scored…

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Read More: Civic Literacy Report – Take the Quiz