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.”
Rendell, GOP clash over kindergarten cash
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
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
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
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 futureTaxes & Economy
How to Fix Mass Transit
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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