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.”
Lawmakers reaped $50K-plus in freebies in ’06
Mark Scolforo reports on the gifts and other financial interests report by lawmakers. Not suprisingly, legislative leaders cashed in (even while claiming they were not): House Majority Leader…
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Turnpike Disavows “Mystery letter”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission denies that a letter from an unknown organization PA Coalition for Sound Transportation Policy is really a front for turnpike officials (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story).
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Assembly’s Slow Pace Frustrates Reformers
Jim Panyard in The Evening Bulletin on the push for a Constitution Convention and the Senate State Government Committee’s plan to look at five proposed constitutional amendments at a…
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Lawmakers Accused Of Abusing PSAs Part II
More from WGAL on lawmakers making use of taxpayer financed “Public Service Announcements” including samples of ads and their price tag.
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Lawmakers Use Your Money, PSAs As Campaign Tool
WGAL NBC 8 story on the use of taxpayer funds for “Public Service Announcements” around election time. The poll with the story indicates that a whopping 7% don’t feel…
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Articles on the Budget
The Northeast PA Business Journal has four articles on the Rendell budget and related issues, all quoting me; the fourth article also features Commonwealth Foundation Senior Fellow Rick Dreyfuss:…
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Environmental “watchdog” feeds off taxpayers
Capitolwire reports that the neo-socialist environmental group PennFuture received over $1 million in state grants from the Ministry of Propoganda Departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation & Natural Resources.
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School Choice Works!
In today’s Appropriations Committee hearing on education Sen. Pat Browne questioned Andy LeFevre of the Reach Foundation on the academic achievement effects of school choice. There has in…
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Groups argue merits of proposed pre-K state funding hike
From Capitolwire.com (subscription): Two private school groups told the state Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday not to support $75 million in new state funding for pre-kindergarten classes. State support…
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Attacking Charter Schools
This Philadelphia Inquirer article about the Chester-Upland school district’s proposed cap on charter school enrollment was brought to my attention. I now found that they did vote to…
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The Disaster that Is Dirigo
Michael Cannon on the failures and unintended consequences of Maine’s universal health care program, Dirigo.
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State legislators getting specific about government reform
Brad Bumsted on proposals to reduce wasteful spending with the legislature, as well as other reforms. Noted is Sen. Jane Orie’s proposal which would limit “pinstripe patronage” – the…
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The climb to high taxes
Morning Call story examines the growth of state and local taxes in Pennsylvania. The story uses both data on the rising state and local tax burden and individual…
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Top 5 Reasons to Lease the Turnpike
Matt Brouillette featured in this week’s Central Penn Business Journal talking about a Turnpike lease. Also read Geoff Segal’s letter in the same edition.
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Tax-shift votes likely to divide communities
Patriot News on the potential winners and losers tax-shift referendum vote on May 15. Read our Taxpayers’ Guide to the Rendell Property Tax Relief Act of 2006 for…
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A call to rein in state spending
Tribune-Review article on Thursday’s hearing on state spending limits. The Commonwealth Foundation’s newest fellow (and former Congresswoman) Melissa Hart testified: “Often elected officials have been unwilling or simply unable…
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Now you can start working for yourself
CBS 21 on Tax Freedom Day for Pennsylvania.
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Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!
April 27, 2007 won’t appear as a holiday on anyone’s calendar. Few workers will get the day off. But it will be the first day Pennsylvania’s workers stop working to…
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Video from Health Care Reform Luncheon
Video from yesterday’s Policies and Principles Luncheon on health care reform, featuring Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute is now available online. You can also get more audio and…
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Energy Myths
Max Schulz offers a series of energy “myths” that are driving flawed public policy – appropriate given a press conference later today will discuss Gov. Rendell’s energy plan. MYTH…
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Is “Fair Share Tax” dead?
Times Tribune article suggests there is no support in the General Assembly for a payroll tax on businesses to pay for “Cover All Pennsylvanians”. The administration suggested (as they…
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