Nathan Benefield

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.”

PHEAA chief asked to step down

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 5, 2007

Jan Murphy in the Patriot News on the more abrupt forced resignation of Dick Willey from PHEAA, follwing the Auditor General’s preliminary report. Apparently even board members like…

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When the Story’s Got Children, Who Needs Facts?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 4, 2007

Amy Menefee of the Business & Media Institute on what the SCHIP expansion would really do, and the “but its for the kids” media onslaught. (Balanced coverage from…

Media

Read More: When the Story’s Got Children, Who Needs Facts?

$7.5M bonus bonanza at PHEAA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 4, 2007

Brett Lieberman on the latest embarrasing revelation of PHEAA’s extravagances, from the state audit of the agency. Here is the Auditor General’s news release on the interim audit…

Media

Read More: $7.5M bonus bonanza at PHEAA

I-80 tolls for Transit?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 4, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer article repeat a claim from PA Turnpike head Joe Brimmeier that none of the tolls from I-80 would be used to fund mass transit. Of course this…

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Jesus: Roman Empire Should Provide Universal Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2007

Remember the passage in the Bible where Jesus called upon the Roman Empire to provide universal, government-run health insurance? Well, Governor Rendell says it is there: Rendell…

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SCHIP Articles

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2007

MSNBC.com article on how richer states are pushing for the SCHIP Expansion. Also Greg Mankiw posts a explanation of Bush’s position on SCHIP – a good overview, but…

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Preschool for All!

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2007

National Review article (from Free Library) on the push for government-run “universal preschool”: The irony is that early education is already an American strength. The National Center for…

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Energy Snapshot Powerpoint

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2007

The PowerPoint summary of the various energy plans from today’s luncheon can be found here as a slideshow and here as a PDF file. If you missed the…

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Bonus Ban Measure Passes State Government Committee

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2007

John Eichelberger’s Bonus Ban Bill – banning all bonuses in state government, PHEAA, legislative staffers, executive branch, etc. – cleared its first hurdle today.

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Interest to lease turnpike is broad

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer on the interest in leasing the Turnpike. List of companies completing RFQ is included (several companies entered joint proposals – thus there are 34 companies listed, but…

Media

Read More: Interest to lease turnpike is broad

No time for energy conservation when PR is at stake

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2007

Rendell’s energy plan calls for a whole host of subsidies and tax credits to end our “dependence on foreign oil”. Cutting taxpayer-funded bus tours to promote his energy plan…

Media

Read More: No time for energy conservation when PR is at stake

FHWA responds on I-80 tolls

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2007

Toll Roads News posts and analyzes a letter from the Federal Highway Administration to the Turnpike Commission on tolling I-80. The letter doesn’t say much other than the…

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Federal Energy Tax Policy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2007

This research paper from 2006 offers a good summary of current federal tax policy – taxes and tax credits – toward energy. Things I learned reading it include:…

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RIP John Berthoud

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2007

John Berthoud, president of the National Taxpayers Union, died yesterday at 47. John was a long-time defender of taxpayers and a champion of liberty. NTU ask anyone wishing to pay…

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A Law Best Left Behind

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2007

Wall Street Journal looks at the No Child Left Behind Act – facing reauthorization – noting how the adminstration has not enforced or pushed the school choice provision. Under…

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PHEAA CEO to get $360,000 annual pension

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2007

Jan Murphy on the pension retiring PHEAA CEO Dick Willey will receive. The pension is so elevated because his $180,000 bonus counts toward the pension calculation. Of course, he…

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Do we need Special Session on Baseball Bats?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 27, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer story on the controversy over a bill to ban metal bats in baseball and softball from Little League through High School. The claim is that balls come…

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Read More: Do we need Special Session on Baseball Bats?