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.”
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. Topics on this page…
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. Topics on this page…
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
New, higher taxes and fees in Pa. transit fund plan
Dwight Evans and other House Democrats apparently have their own plan for funding transportation, which includes: Certificate of vehicle title, now $22.50, would increase by $6.50, to $29…
Media
Read More: New, higher taxes and fees in Pa. transit fund plan
Giving small businesses options
Reps. DePasquale (D) and Mackereth (R) introduced legislation allowing small businesses to pool resources into association plans to provide health insurance to employees. This is one of the…
Media
Read More: Giving small businesses options
The Oil Tax: Gross results
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the Oil Company Gross Profits Tax. Topics on this pagePittsburgh Tribune-Review…
Media
Read More: The Oil Tax: Gross results
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…
Media
Read More: Protecting government agencies
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…
Media
Read More: Fumo wants to expand Turnpike Commission
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…
Media
Read More: Government’s Hedge Funds
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…
Media
Read More: School District Consolidation Report
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…
Media
Read More: Supreme Court Affirms 1st Amendment Rights of Teachers
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.
Media
Read More: Lancaster New Era endorses Taxpayer Protection Act
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…
Media
Read More: Somewhat slimmer budget passes Senate Appropriations
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…
Media
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
Read More: Taxpayer-Funded, Universal Preschool in Pennsylvania: Benefits Questioned
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…
Media
Read More: Rendell shares Turnpike bid info with legislative leaders
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…
Media
Read More: Healthcare For PA Families
When a spending increase is a spending decrease
Watch the video and more at PADietPlan.com…
Media
Read More: When a spending increase is a spending decrease