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.”
Remove the stain
Post-Gazette Editorial calling for a special session on government reform.
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Who “gets stuck in Iraq”?
Even though I may be the only person in America who believe John Kerry was attempting to call President Bush uneducated and stupid, not our troups (not that calling the…
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We’ve cut federal taxes, but now it’s time to cut spending
Ed Feulner commentary on federal spending. Dr. Feulner will be speaking at our 2006 Speaker Franklin Awards Gala.
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Many Kids Still Left Behind
A report released today by the Fordham Foundation takes a look at how well states are doing in terms of educating low-income and minority students. Pennsylvania gets pretty poor marks…
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More coverage of government reform
More media coverage of yesterday’s release of the Reform Report Card: Chambersburg Public OpinionCarlisle SentinelBucks County Courier Times, featuring the gem: “Rendell spokeswoman Kate…
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Failure to Reform State Government
The Commonwealth Foundation joined with other good government reform groups to issue a Report Card on the Roadmap to Reform. Coverage of the Press Conference can be found…
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School Uniform
Clint Bolick editorial in today’s Wall Street Journal on lawsuits that would eliminate charter schools.
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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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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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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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The Education Revolution America Needs
From the Washington Post’s Think Tank Town.
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The Sanford Model
Wall Street Journal uncovers that there is at least one fiscal conservative remaining in the Republican Party.
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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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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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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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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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