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.”
Taxes & Economy
Minimum Wage COLAs: Overstated Benefits & Hidden Costs
Support for minimum wage increases is based on the idea that a higher minimum wage will “help the poor” by increasing their pay and lifting them out of poverty.
Commentary
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How to reduce the cost of insurance by 50%
Wall Street Journal article on new, low-cost individual health insurance offerings. (HT to SPN Blog) This sounded good especially, “Humana Inc. packages start at $26 a month“. This…
Media
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Drunk on ethanol
Los Angeles Times article on politicians love for ethanol – mandating its use and subsidizing its production, while keeping high tariffs on foreign ethanol. They also point out how…
Media
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Do stop-light cameras kill?
I am on an email list giving about 85 or so reasons to oppose stop-light cameras. I think I’ve ignored about 52 of these emails so far, but I’ll pass…
Media
Read More: Do stop-light cameras kill?
Like them or not, cyber schools prove accountable
Editorial by Dennis Tulli in the Lebanon Daily News on the accountability of cyber schools, along with their underfunding (and the frequent refusal of school districts to pay their…
Media
Read More: Like them or not, cyber schools prove accountable
Real Consideration of Turnpike Lease?
Pete DeCoursey at Capitolwire is reporting that not only is Governor Rendell continuing to press for a Turnpike Lease, but that he has several supporters, including Sen. Jake…
Media
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Toll of teacher strikes
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the cost of teacher strikes in PA, citing this study by the Allegheny Institute. Also read Simon Campbell’s commentary on legislation to end teacher…
Media
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Why Campaign Expenditures are Increasing: The Government is Getting Bigger
Research by John Lott reveals a somewhat obvious explanation to campaign contribution growth, touched on briefly in my testimony. Special interests spend millions to influence government because government…
Media
Read More: Why Campaign Expenditures are Increasing: The Government is Getting Bigger
Rendell’s world: Spending and debt
Brad Bumsted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on spending and debt under Rendell – i.e. the “cardboard check syndrome”. Topics on this pageBrad BumstedPittsburgh Tribune-Review…
Media
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Rep. Peterson on tolling I-80
Congressman John Peterson op-ed on tolling I-80 in today’s Morning Call. Topics on this pageThe Morning Call…
Media
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