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.”
Pennsylvania Teachers: Number One in Strikes
Allegheny Institute Report on teacher strikes in Pennsylvania and nationally. The include facts about the number of strikes in each state (60% of all strikes occur in PA), and…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Teachers: Number One in Strikes
Cyber Charter Funding Debate
Good article by William Mulgrew in The Evening Bulletin on the debate over public cyber school funding, with emphasis on the Haverford District: Last year, Haverford School District…
Media
Read More: Cyber Charter Funding Debate
With just the click of a mouse … you’re in school
More coverage of the benefits for cyber schools for students and their growing popularity among parents from the Meadville Tribune. Read our FAQ on Cyber Schools here.
Media
Read More: With just the click of a mouse … you’re in school
Expanding SCHIP Will Challenge State Finances
Heritage Foundation looks at the effect of the proposed Congressional SCHIP expansion, and offers A State-by-State Analysis of the effect on finances. The SCHIP expansion under consideration would increase…
Media
Read More: Expanding SCHIP Will Challenge State Finances
Another reason why there’s no money for bridges
Another story about taxes ostensibly to be used for transportation are going to Pork: That’s because — thanks to state funding — PPL is installing 88 new sidewalk…
Media
Read More: Another reason why there’s no money for bridges
Poll: Campaign Finance
Our first ever Policy Blog poll wants to know what our readers think of proposed campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. After answering, check out our Policy Points on…
Media
Read More: Poll: Campaign Finance
Parochial choice
Letter to the Patriot News explains how Harrisburg Schools can save money — through school choice. We have discussed this idea a number of times, including a policy brief,…
Media
Read More: Parochial choice
Agriculture Number 1?
I’ve seen politicians, from both parties and from all regions of the state, throw around the claim that Agriculture is PA’s number one industry, most recently in the Governor’s…
Media
Read More: Agriculture Number 1?
Benefield Testimony on PCN
My testimony on campaign finance limits will be carried live on PCN today. I am scheduled to take the hot seat at 1:30. The hearing will re-air beginning at…
Media
Read More: Benefield Testimony on PCNGovernment Accountability
Campaign Finance “Reform” is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Benefield; I am the Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research and educational institution based in Harrisburg. I…
Testimony
Read More: Campaign Finance “Reform” is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Back to cyber school
Rob Gebhart in the Somerset Daily American, looks at cyber schools from the perspective of the student, rather than repeating the criticism of the school board and teachers’ union…
Media
Read More: Back to cyber school
Rep. Peterson on tolling I-80
Congressman John Peterson op-ed on tolling I-80 in today’s Morning Call.
Media
Read More: Rep. Peterson on tolling I-80
Earmarks continue to dominate Congress
John Fund in today’s Wall Street Journal on the joke of earmark reform in Congress, including embarrasing defense of earmarks by Congressman Murtha. And here is the Club for…
Media
Read More: Earmarks continue to dominate Congress
Think again before tolling I-80
CEO of Weis Markets on the poorly vetted Act 44 plan to toll I-80 and raise Turnpike tolls in the Patriot News.
Media
Read More: Think again before tolling I-80
Running for Governor
Grassroots PA has been busy tracking who may run for PA Governor in 2010. Their recent additions, including two today, include Tom Knox; Catherine Baker Knoll; Don…
Media
Read More: Running for Governor
Bridge Tragedy: Searching Congress for Structural Flaws
Sen. Tom Coburn on the pork barrel transportation spending that takes money away from structurally deficient roads and bridges. Coburn calls out former PA Congressman Bud Shuster and the…
Media
Read More: Bridge Tragedy: Searching Congress for Structural Flaws
Economic literacy test: High school seniors beat Congress
Wall Street Journal article on US highschooler’s performance on NAEP’s economics test: Pop quiz. Which has been most important in reducing poverty over time: a) taxes, b)…
Media
Read More: Economic literacy test: High school seniors beat Congress
Have Federal Income Taxes Gotten More Progressive Since 2000?
The Tax Foundation asks Have Federal Income Taxes Gotten More Progressive Since 2000?. Their answer is YES, with a chart to show it.
Media
Read More: Have Federal Income Taxes Gotten More Progressive Since 2000?
Don’t talk about religion?
John Baer in the Daily News writes that the public should not care about a presidential candidate’s (Romney specifically) religion (Mormonism). But it writing this, Baer doesn’t argue that…
Media
Read More: Don’t talk about religion?
The Schip Revelation
Wall Street Journal on the absurdity of the debate on SCHIP Expansion: Schip was supposed to help children from low-income families … Schip was created as a…
Media
Read More: The Schip Revelation
Economics of Sports Stadiums
Brief assessment of the merits of taxpayer subsidies of stadiums, with some link,. from the The Tax Foundation Blog. In other words, the Pittsburgh Penguins arena deal won’t…
Media
Read More: Economics of Sports Stadiums