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.”
On Second Thought
Tony Phyrillas has reconsidered his earlier overly-rosy reading of the budget deal. He used our Good, Bad, and Ugly budget autopsy to back up his coversion, though…
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The TRUTH About Spending Increase
Before he called us imbeciles, Governor Rendell sent us (along with the PA Club for Growth) a letter calling for us to stop making statements about the…
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At Least We’re Not Cannibals
After we accurately pegged the tentative budget deal to a 5.3% increase, Gov. Rendell decides to call us imbeciles. As hurt as I was, I think we come…
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How the Pa. budget deal was sealed
Inquirer Story on how the budget deal was made. If you have a weak stomach, read how sausage is made, that won’t be as sickening as this. “You folded…
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Watchdog’s remark sends Rendell on a tear
Governor Rendell talking about Rock the Capital’s Eric Epstein to the Philadelphia Inquirer “Eric Epstein,” boiled Rendell, “is about as mentally stable as that guy who ate all…
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Why the Teachers’ Unions are backing Univeral Preschool
Seeking to Expand Ranks and Increase Salaries, Not Improve Education – from Human Events online…
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5.3% Increase, with No Tricks
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire.com tries to explain all the tricks that are being used to disguise the real agreed-to budget increase of 5.3%: Less than 16…
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Reader questions about budget
Questions from a PolicyBlog Reader: Q: What is this $1.6 billion dollar fund referenced in the Post-Gazette? It appears to be slots money which, I thought,…
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Oh yeah – the budget is higher
The agreed-to budget figure Gov. Rendell reported last night was lower. From Pennsylvania Legislative Services: GOVERNOR ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIABy Kimberly CollinsThis afternoon the…
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Lame Duck, or Big Winner?
Tony Phyrillas celebrates Rendell’s losses in the budget deal – too bad that doesn’t do taxpayers any good. Phyrillas likes the “no new taxes” – but new taxes…
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Economics of Smoking Bans
Some more resources on the economic impact of smoking bans, for legislators considering a smoking ban – see also our Policy Point on Smoking Bans: ECONOMIC LOSSES…
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Secondhand Smoke Facts
Some more resources on the scientific evidence of second hand smoke, for legislators considering a smoking ban – see also our Policy Point on Smoking Bans: Secondhand Smoke…
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Price of Candy is Up!
So I went to our office snack tray to buy an afternoon snack and notice that the price had gone up, and there was a note about the price of…
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Budget PR from PHMC
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission uses it taxpayer provided resources to blame the PA Senate for trying to “cut” programs from the budget (with an $899 million increase). Which…
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Budget Questions
Lingering questions/issues about the budget negotiations (with links to Commonwealth Foundation information on these issues): What will be the final percent increase in the General Fund? The Taxpayer Protection…
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More Debt for Pork?
According to reports, the House Democrats are holding up the budget negotiations for more $500 million in new bonds for “Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects.” What the heck are those, you…
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A Letter To Ed
Letter from a soon-to-be furloughed state worker to Gov. Rendell, courtesy of PA Clean Sweep.
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Tax Impact of SCHIP Expansion
Last week I pointed out that Governor Rendell’s call for increased federal funding of SCHIP was because by passing “Cover All Kids”, the General Assembly created a program which…
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Public Schools Respond to School Choice
Post Gazette story on Regional Choice Initiative in Beaver County. This would allow students who want a particular class, not offered by their district, to enroll in that class…
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Pass it all NOW – Don’t think!
News release from the GovernorEditorial by the Post-Gazette calls for legislators to act on “reform” and pass a bunch of legislation in early July – unrelated to the budget…
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Some Definitions
“Ponzi scheme,” from Wikipedia Rendell Energy Plan, from the Governor’s office Note the striking similarities. Also read Jared Walczak’s commentary on Energy Depletion. Despite all of the…
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