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.”
The Oil Tax: Gross results
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the Oil Company Gross Profits Tax.
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Protecting government agencies
Today state House Democratic lawmakers unveil legislation to protect taxpayers government agencies and workers unions. Among the legislation they propose would be to “require any employee terminated due to…
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Fumo wants to expand Turnpike Commission
To the suprise of no oneVince Fumo has supported the plan of the Turnpike Commission to expand their authority – raising tolls, taking over (and tolling) I-80, and issuing…
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Government’s Hedge Funds
Capitolwire.com’s Pete DeCoursey (subscription) calls Governor Rendell’s corporate welfare proposals for what they are – a hedge fund. Talking about Rendell’s proposed Jonas Salk Legacy Fund and alternative energy…
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School District Consolidation Report
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) issued their report on the fiscal benefits of consolidating school districts. Their findings were that districts with 2,500 to 3,000 spend somewhat…
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Supreme Court Affirms 1st Amendment Rights of Teachers
The US Supreme Court ruled today that states could require unions to get their members consent to use their dues for political purposes. Previously, a lower court had ruled that…
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Lancaster New Era endorses Taxpayer Protection Act
Lancaster New Era (registration required) editorial supporting the Taxpayer Protection Act, along with the Commonwealth Foundation’s Diet Plan.
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Somewhat slimmer budget passes Senate Appropriations
Senate Appropriations Committee sent to the floor an amended budget which includes very few of the Governor’s new programs, cuts some of the corporate welfare from DCED, and promised…
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Super-majority on tax increase legislation proposed
Senator Eichelberger (along with co-sponsors) today introduced legislation (SB 975) which would offer a Constitutional Amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to pass any tax increase. This…
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Read More: Super-majority on tax increase legislation proposedEducation
Taxpayer-Funded, Universal Preschool in Pennsylvania: Benefits Questioned
The push toward taxpayer-funded preschool for every child in Pennsylvania continues with Governor Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The Governor wants $75 million for “Pre-K Counts,” which…
Fact Sheet
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Rendell shares Turnpike bid info with legislative leaders
Governor Rendell announced he has provided the expressions of interest regarding a potential Turnpike lease to legislative leaders, on the grounds they not be made public until a lease…
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Healthcare For PA Families
House Republicans unveiled the outlines of a alternative health care reform plan, which they are calling the “Real Prescription for Pennsylvania” (their website name, Healthcare For PA Families, is…
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When a spending increase is a spending decrease
Watch the video and more at PADietPlan.com…
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DeWeese Ends Bonuses
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that House Dem. Leader Bill DeWeese will end bonuses to staffers following scrutiny of past bonuses. In related news Rep. Glen Grell is proposing cuts…
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Turnpike Commission’s proposal gains support
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the proposal of the Turnpike Commission to raise tolls, enact special “congestion tolls,” take control of and toll I-80, and issue debt (tied to…
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New rules force tally of retiree health costs
Post-Gazette story on new accounting rules requiring governments to report how much they owe for health care costs of retirees, with comments by CF senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss.
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State Eminent Domain Report Card
One major success for individual rights in Harrisburg in recent years is Eminent Domain reform. The Castle Coalition’s Report Card on Eminent Domain Reform Legislation since Kelo, released this…
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More Tax Money for Movies?
Do we need to spend more money to get movies made in PA? The Rendell administration is currently proposing giving filmmakers a 25 percent refundable tax credit (i.e. a grant)…
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State pensions need realistic strategies
Good editorial in The Morning Call on reforming our state pension systems.
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Read More: State pensions need realistic strategiesGovernment Accountability
4 Bills In 5 Months
WGAL (NBC 8) with a story on the sluggish pace of the full time Pennsylvania legislature. So far this year, they have passed only 4 bills – two renaming…
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What Taxpayers are buying Mark Cohen
Two Philadelphia Inquirer stories today highlight the use of tax money by Rep. Mark Cohen. The first details how he billed 3 weekends in N.Y. to taxpayers to attend…
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