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 end of PHEAA?
Governor Rendell says PHEAA “doesn’t have any reason to exist” in the Patriot News. Though it comes with a caveat: “There has to be a culture change at PHEAA,…
Media
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Turnpike Hysteria
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Timothy Carson, vice chairman of the Turnpike Commission, explains what would happen if the Turnpike were to be leased to a private firm: tolls could…
Media
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More on House Reform
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire (subscription) with a scathing column about the lack of propsects for real reform: If you wanted to see how much is changing in the…
Media
Read More: More on House Reform
The arena deal: Lost opportunity
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the welfare for the Penguins. The Post-Gazette has more of the details of the deal here. Also read Lee Wishing’s Commentary on the…
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A New Day in Harrisburg?
The new PA House rules passed last night unanimously to much praise from lawmakers. The major changes include Provide online access to bills, votes, and financial information Banning “ghost voting”…
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Spending Restraint Needed
Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Benefield, I am the Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. I would like to thank Chairman Armstrong and the members of the…
Testimony
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House Rules Votes
Here is a list of key amendments we compiled. (I will update periodically). Votes on Key Amendments to House Reform Commission Proposed Rules (HR 108). All of yesterdays votes…
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Welfare for Penguins
Governor Rendell has offered the Pittsburgh Penguins enough of a ransom to keep them in Pittsburgh. The Post-Gazette reports that the state will pay $7.5 million each year from…
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House rejects series of reform measures
Mark Scolforo of the AP on the reforms that won’t be happening (at least in this round). Yesterday’s votes removed the Reform Commission proposals to limit the powers of…
Media
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Rendell awarded $516M in grants during campaign
Debra Erdley of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on the handing out of grants from the Capital Budget Redevelopment Assistance Fund. Defenders of this spending say it will revitalize our…
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PHEAA releases details on board retreats
Patriot News with more analysis of PHEAA records, as they are being released. Topics on this pagePennsylvania Higher Education Assistance AgencyThe Patriot-News…
Media
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The Market for Medical Care
Check out this new NCPA Report: The Market for Medical Care: Why You Don’t Know the Price; Why You Don’t Know about Quality; And What Can Be Done about…
Media
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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
John Fund in the Wall Street Journal writes about taxpayer-financed lobbying, which was exempted from the “ethics bill”. Also check out this site from Americans For Prosperity on…
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Walter Reed and Universal Health Care
Greg Mankiw blogs on a satire piece in which Hillary Clinton calls for Universal Healthcare based on the Walter Reed scandal: “Just think how bad it would be if…
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Turnpike Lease Information
Rep. Joe Markosek (House Transportation Committee Chair) has put up a website with Turnpike Lease info. It has a pretty good collection of info, including a letter listing…
Media
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Road leasing backed
State Sen. Don White talks about potential road leases in the Leader Times.
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Local Pensions in Trouble Too
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on the trouble with Pittsburgh’s municipal pension plan, and other local plans. Many municipalities are looking for state aid, even while the state pension plans are…
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End PSAs
John Baer on taxpayer spending on lawmakers “Public Service Announcements” in the Philadelphia Daily News. Topics on this pagePhiladelphia Daily News…
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More PHEAA Coverage
More media coverage of the outrageous expenses of PHEAA, the Governor’s call to “clean house,” and the suggestion (raised by the Commonwealth Foundation) that PHEAA be privatized: – Mario…
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Read More: More PHEAA Coverage
Is Rendell Cutting Taxes?
Brett Lieberman of the Patriot News has an intriguing back and forth between myself and Governor Rendell and Budget Secretary Michael Masch on their tax plan. Despite a massive…
Media
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Yes, Profits Matter
Investor’s Business Daily editorial on oil profits: Profits drive discovery and productivity in every industry, but particularly in the capital-intensive energy sector. The seismic and satellite technologies now…
Media
Read More: Yes, Profits Matter