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.”
Show on the Road
Robert Poole of the Reason Foundation in today’s Wall Street Journal on the potential of public-private toll roads to revilatize our highway system. Topics on this page…
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Welfare state growing
Associated Press story on the growth of Welfare rolls. While TANF cash grants have declined nationally under welfare reform, Medicaid and other programs have grown. Today, one in six…
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RomneyCare on Life Support
The Massachusetts healthcare mandates – dubbed RomneyCare after former Governor Mitt Romney – was supposed to ensure universal health insurance for all, save money on “uncompensated care,” and keep the…
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Private vs. Gov’t Response to Crisis
The News of Delaware County editorial poses an interesting question: “Would corporate America have handled last week’s Interstate 78 disaster any worse or better than Pennsylvania government officials?”…
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No reform of incumbent protection ads
Article on the Reform Panel’s debate on taxpayer-funded “Public Service Ads” (a.k.a. incumbent protection plans), from Capitolwire.com (subscription): Even after a former House majority leader blasted taxpayer-paid TV…
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Insurance mandates aren’t the answer
Greg Scandlen in Health Care News writes that health insurance mandates won’t solve the problem of uninsured. I also pointed out in that article that part of…
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Non-Union Jobs
Steve Jobs takes on the teachers unions, from WSJ.com.
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The Philadelphia Story
Paul Peterson in today’s Wall Street Journal on the success of privately-managed public schools in Philadelphia. Topics on this pagePhiladelphiaThe Wall Street Journal…
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Liquor system ripe for privatizing
Patriot News Editorial calls for privatizing of state liquor stores: “In proposing the turnpike lease, the governor has called the 537-mile highway an invaluable asset whose full value…
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Higher Taxes Wont Cure Cancer
Governor Ed Rendell has, on occasion, joked that some state lawmakers would oppose any tax increase, “even if we could cure cancer tomorrow.” Unfortunately, Governor Rendell adopts the opposite view…
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CEO Rankings of States
Chief Executive Magazine released its survey of CEOs, which ranks the 50 states (and DC) in terms of business friendliness. Pennsylvania ranks a dreary 37th (down ten spots from…
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Vince & Anchorwomen
Another reason to privatize the turnpike: to derail Vince Fumo’s efforts to use the Turnpike Commission to hook up with attractive Philadelphia news anchorwomen. From the Philadelphia Daily News:…
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Some staffers earning fatter salaries than lawmakers : The Morning Call Online
Morning Call article on the pay of PA House Staffers. Get the list of highest paid staffers from the Morning Call here. Topics on this page…
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$650/Month For Cars Goes To Part-Time Gaming Board Members
Ben Simmoneau of WGAL uncovers more of the luxuries of state government work, this time by the Gaming Control Board members. Doug Harbach tries to defend the perks saying,…
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Britney Joins the Head Shavers Club
While the media is questioning what could motivate Britney Spears to shave her head, the answer is quite clear–she is gunning for a job with the Commonwealth Foundation.
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Companies’ Fair Share: Zero Percent
Andrew Chamberlain editorial on why progressive corporate tax rates are “unfair”– taxes on corporations are just taxes on people.
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Priceless politics
Thomas Sowell wonders why local governments feel they need to own and operate golf courses under the mantra of “helping the poor”: “Are the taxpayers being asked to support…
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Hearing may be major step toward state constitutional convention
The push for a Constitutional Convention in PA may be heating up, the Post-Gazette reports. Topics on this pagePittsburgh Post-GazetteThe United States Constitutional Convention…
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Spirits of privatization are likely to stay bottled up
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette considers the prospects of privatizing the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Topics on this pagePennsylvania Liquor Control BoardPittsburgh Post-Gazette…
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Uninsured And Overinflated
Investor’s Business Daily editorial breaks down the “46 million” without health insurance: most are without insurance short-term, immigrants, eligible for current government programs, or young and choosing not to…
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Adding Up the Reasons For Expensive Health Care
Washington Post article details why healthcare is so expensive in the US. Doctor’s pay, unnecessary testing, and hospital amenities play a major role (and the third-party payer model falls…
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