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.”

Rendell, GOP clash over kindergarten cash

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 29, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer on the debate over state funded and controlled Preschool. Read our Policy Brief on the inflated benefits of universal preschool.

Media

Read More: Rendell, GOP clash over kindergarten cash

Updates on the Budget Negotiations

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2007

The AP’s Marc Levy on the behind-the-scenes budget negotiations. Of particular interest is this: The House Republican leader, Sam Smith of Jefferson County, said that if budget negotiations…

Media

Read More: Updates on the Budget Negotiations

Anti-Universal Coverage Club

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 27, 2007

Cato’s Michael Cannon has launced the Anti-Universal Coverage Club, which questions the dogmatic mantra of “universal” health insurance. The guiding principles of the Anti-Universal Coverage Club are: 1. Health…

Media

Read More: Anti-Universal Coverage Club

Turnpike lease idea detoured to future

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 27, 2007

Charles Thompson in the Patriot News on Gov. Rendell giving up, for now, the idea of leasing the Turnpike. Some supporters of free enterprise see this as a…

Media

Read More: Turnpike lease idea detoured to future

Taxes & Economy

How to Fix Mass Transit

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2007

In their final report, the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission wrote: The Commission concludes that no additional funding should be provided for highways, bridges and transit unless a series…

Commentary

Read More: How to Fix Mass Transit

More on SCHIP

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2007

After noting yesterday that Governor Rendell demanded more federal SCHIP money to fund his “Cover All Kids” initiative, I saw this recent Heritage Foundation WebMemo summarizing research that…

Media

Read More: More on SCHIP

Orie wants to change turnpike commission

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2007

Post-Gazette on Sen. Orie’s three proposals to reform the Turnpike Commission: Prohibit the commission from hiring outside lobbyists. Turnpike contracts and bond work would be competitively bid. Future employees…

Media

Read More: Orie wants to change turnpike commission

Rendell begs for more federal tax money for SCHIP

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2007

Governor Rendell calls for more federal funding for the state’s Child Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Why? Because without it, the “Cover All Kids” plan passed last year would cost…

Media

Read More: Rendell begs for more federal tax money for SCHIP

Alternatives to Penn Pike lease flout federal law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2007

Toll Roads News on the fact that the House Democrats plan to toll I-80 to generate revenue for roads isn’t legal under federal law. That hasn’t stopped Republican Sens.

Media

Read More: Alternatives to Penn Pike lease flout federal law

Was Rendell’s “Turnpike Lease” a ruse?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2007

Brad Bumstead believes that Governor Rendell’s proposal to lease the Turnpike was all part of a conspiracy theory to make the Turnpike Commission’s proposal to expand its authorities, raise…

Media

Read More: Was Rendell’s “Turnpike Lease” a ruse?

Success in Philadelphia

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2007

Wall Street Journal editorial on the success of the private managers in Philadelphia schools. See my Commentary on the issue.

Media

Read More: Success in Philadelphia

Will Rendell and Senate GOP sell out on transportation?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 23, 2007

Capitolwire.com reports that Governor Rendell, and possibly Senate Republicans, will go along with House Democrats plan to toll I-80 and raise Turnpike tolls, and have higher local taxes…

Media

Read More: Will Rendell and Senate GOP sell out on transportation?

School Enrollment vs. Staffing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 23, 2007

A reader requested more info about some data in our Fat Facts of the Week on public school staff vs. enrollment. Here is the latest data from the…

Media

Read More: School Enrollment vs. Staffing

Gut-and-Replace Tranportation Bill to Be voted on Monday

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 22, 2007

Post-Gazette on the House Democrats Transportation plan (also see Philadelphia Inquirer story) – done by gutting and replacing existing legislation. The proposal to get more money from taxpayers…

Media

Read More: Gut-and-Replace Tranportation Bill to Be voted on Monday

Save up your quarters for I-79

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 21, 2007

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the House GOP plan to turn interstates 78, 79, 80, 81 and 95 into toll roads. Further, to place those roads under control of the Turnpike…

Media

Read More: Save up your quarters for I-79

Masch on “Irreparable Harm” by spending limits

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 21, 2007

Budget Secretary Michael Masch issued a news release decrying all the “vital services” that would be cut, had the state implement spending limits in past years. Masch’s demagoguery obscures…

Media

Read More: Masch on “Irreparable Harm” by spending limits

Response to Critics of a Turnpike Lease

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 21, 2007

The Reason Foundation has a new version of their response to the leading criticisms (and questions) about a potential lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Media

Read More: Response to Critics of a Turnpike Lease

Senate Votes to Keep Ethanol Tariff

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2007

Andy Roth of The Club For Growth on a US Senate vote to keep a tariff on ethanol imports. If lawmakers believe ethanol is good for the environment (the…

Media

Read More: Senate Votes to Keep Ethanol Tariff

Rohrer proposes to limit prevailing wage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2007

Rep. Sam Rohrer has introduced legislation to eliminate prevailing wage limitations on road and bridge construction. Click here for more on the cost of prevailing wage laws for…

Media

Read More: Rohrer proposes to limit prevailing wage

Commonwealth Foundation YouTubing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2007

We are now on YouTube! Visit the Commonwealth Foundation’s YouTube Channel for our latest videos; we will be adding more from past events soon.

Media

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation YouTubing

Turnpike proposes new funding plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2007

The Turnpike Commission modified their plan for new funding for roads – eliminating the “congestion tax”, but still proposing:– New Bonds tied to the gas tax– Turnpike…

Media

Read More: Turnpike proposes new funding plan