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.”
Poll on Judicial Retention – My Take
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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I-80 lease signed with missing details
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…
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House Open Records bill weakened
AP story can be found here Reading Eagle story on Rep. Caltagirone (a cosponsor) withdrawing support following the changes.
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Brouillette on PCN
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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PennFuture: Give Governor Rendell power to control the weather
The environmental group Penn Future released a “PennFuture Facts” calling for the PA General Assembly to pass parts of its agenda. Yet the alarmist “facts” they use are so…
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When was I-80 lease signed?
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,…
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How to Argue against SCHIP
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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Don’t leave educating our children to the government
Jeff Jacoby column in the Boston Globe: “FREEDOM of education, being an essential of civil and religious liberty . . . must not be interfered with under any…
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Energy independence means higher taxes in Pennsylvania
The Sam Adams Alliance blogs on Governor Rendell’s “energy idependence” strategy.
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Senator Folmer Unveils “Healthy Pennsylvania”
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
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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SCHIP Demagoguery
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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I-80 lease agreement ready
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…
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Increase in Ethanol Production Could Significantly Impact Water Quality and Availability
National Academy of Sciences report has more bad news of the environment impact of ethanol.
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Lots of reform news
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…
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Read More: Lots of reform news
Rendell Administration: Mercantilism will revitalize PA economy
I used to think the Rendell administration was guided by this economist, but after reading their latest news release, it is clear that 17th century thought is…
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Lincoln Institute’s Fall Business Survey
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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I-80 Lease Agreement
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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BonusGate investigation heats up
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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Bill aims to ban teacher strikes
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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Civic Literacy Report – Take the Quiz
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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