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.”
Education
Management 101 for Our Public Schools
Terry Moe in today’s Wall Street Journal on incentive pay for teachers.
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Scams in mass transit
Q & A with Wendell Cox in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
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Read More: Scams in mass transitEducation
How NOT to reduce the cost of college
Senator Joe Conti unveiled a proposal to expand the state sales tax and dedicate the revenue to Penn State University. Why? Penn State’s tuition is too high. This proposal…
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Read More: How NOT to reduce the cost of collegeGovernment Accountability
Majority believes government doing too much
A poll showing what everyone already knew, including CNN – except lawmakers at the federal and state level, who (in the words of John McCain) “have increased government in…
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Read More: Majority believes government doing too muchTaxes & Economy
Ranking of least, most dangerous cities
First the World Series, now The Most Dangerous City: St. Louis beats Detroit for the title. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and Allentown all rank near the bottom of the list. Listed…
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Read More: Ranking of least, most dangerous citiesEducation
The Education Revolution America Needs
From the Washington Post’s Think Tank Town.
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Read More: The Education Revolution America NeedsGovernment Accountability
The Sanford Model
Wall Street Journal uncovers that there is at least one fiscal conservative remaining in the Republican Party.
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Read More: The Sanford ModelTaxes & Economy
Overspending on Roads
Rep. Curt Schroder has uncovered wasteful, pork-barrel spending on roads. The Rendell Administration’ recent reclassified certain highway maintenance projects as “construction projects.” As construction projects, they are subject to…
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Read More: Overspending on RoadsTaxes & Economy
Importing Poverty: Immigration and Poverty in the United States
Heritage Foundation Report: Importing Poverty: Immigration and Poverty in the United States: A Book of Charts…
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Read More: Importing Poverty: Immigration and Poverty in the United StatesPublic Union Democracy
Right To Work States Benefit from Faster Growth
Data sheet from the National Institute for Labor Relations Research show how Right to Work states have faster economic growth and greater purchasing power than Forced-Unionism States (including…
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Read More: Right To Work States Benefit from Faster GrowthGovernment Accountability
Late-night legislating reawakens reformers
Patriot News article on the late night shenanigans of our General Assembly. Also read our News Release on the manner in which “Cover All Kids” was passed. Eric…
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Read More: Late-night legislating reawakens reformersHealth Care
What Is Consumer-Directed Health Care?
In the wake of expanding government-run health care in PA, here is a primer on Consumer-Driven Health Care Reform by John Goodman (of NCPA, not The Big Lebowski)…
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Read More: What Is Consumer-Directed Health Care?Government Accountability
What to do about mediocre political leaders
TCS Daily – The Leadership Myth: “We have to expect mediocrity from political leaders. …The libertarian view is that private institutions, both for-profit and non-profit, are better at…
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Read More: What to do about mediocre political leadersTaxes & Economy
Ethanol: Bad for the Environment?
NCPA Summary of research showing that shifting ethanol and E-85 lead to greater gasoline usage and harm the environment. Yet government mandates and taxpayer subsidy of ethanol remain the…
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Read More: Ethanol: Bad for the Environment?Government Accountability
Republicans deserve to lose, but what happens if Democrats win?
Pete Du Pont in today’s Wall Street Journal on the policies we can expect should Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress.
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Read More: Republicans deserve to lose, but what happens if Democrats win?Health Care
Senate passes version of “Cover All Kids”
Patriot News Update on the PA Senate’s passage of their version “Cover All Kids.” The specifics require a higher proportion of costs for families over 235% of the federal…
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Read More: Senate passes version of “Cover All Kids”Regulation
Why make state beholden to California?
Sam Smith (House Majority Leader) Op-Ed in the Patriot News on the battle over using federal EPA or California standards for vehicle emissions. Also check out the memo…
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Read More: Why make state beholden to California?Government Accountability
General reassembly
The York Daily Record series of editorials on the merits of a state Constitutional Convention and other governmental reforms.
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Read More: General reassemblyState Budget
Rendell hype costs Pa. $12.5M a year
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on the$12.5 million in the administration’s public relations budget. Just one advantage of being an incumbent.
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Read More: Rendell hype costs Pa. $12.5M a yearGovernment Accountability
House limits access to roll calls during session
UPDATED: According to Capitolwire.com, access to roll call votes have been restored and The Speaker also wrote the House is exploring ways “to provide the public with real time access…
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Read More: House limits access to roll calls during sessionHealth Care
Shrink the Legislature to 8
The House Democratic Leadership Letter – from Bill DeWeese (Minority Leader) and Mike Veon (Minority Whip) calls upon the General Assembly to pass “Cover All Kids” because they (DeWese…
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Read More: Shrink the Legislature to 8