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.”
Health Care
Strong Rhetoric for Socialized Medicine
Governor Rendell’s Weekly Letter along with a Press Release demands legislators pass of his “Cover All Kids” proposal. His rhetoric is powerful (read Lowman Henry’s admission that…
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Read More: Strong Rhetoric for Socialized MedicineGovernment Accountability
Judge sues to refuse pay raise
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin’s lawsuit to not have her pay raised. I guess she doesn’t agree with Chief Justice Cappy that judges are…
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Read More: Judge sues to refuse pay raiseEducation
The Laptop Revolution Has No Clothes
Education Week editorial on the lack of evidence for “a laptop on every desk” mythology (registration required).
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Read More: The Laptop Revolution Has No Clothes
Recommended Reading
The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care is a thorough examination of the problems with health care, the recent history and politics of health coverage, why socialized…
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Read More: Recommended ReadingHealth Care
GOP, Rendell’s office spar over CHIP
Patriot News Article on “Cover All Kids”…
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The Wal-Mart Posse
Wall Street Journal Article on who is behind all the anti Wal-Mart organizations…
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Read More: The Wal-Mart PosseRegulation
Action on State Regulations
The state Environmental Quality Board has pushed through a stricter mercury emissions rule for power plants that would likely increase the cost of electricity, jeopardize jobs, and has little…
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Read More: Action on State RegulationsHealth Care
The way to better, cheaper healthcare: Don’t make it a human right
Donald J. Boudreaux article in the Christian Science Monitor on the illogic of making health care a “right” that should be guaranteed and paid for by government.
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Read More: The way to better, cheaper healthcare: Don’t make it a human rightRegulation
Legislator maps bill for privatization
State Rep. Geist is set to introduce a bill which would allow for public-private partnerships in transportation, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, see this Patriot News article. This bill would…
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Read More: Legislator maps bill for privatization
‘Cover All Kids’ plan poses long-term harm
York Dispatch Editorial by the greatest living political philosopher.
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Read More: ‘Cover All Kids’ plan poses long-term harmHealth Care
Fighting Universal Health Care
Coverage of yesterday’s press conference on the concerns about “Cover All Kids” – the Governor’s proposed universal health care coverage for children in the Morning Call. Also from…
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Pennsylvania by the numbers
Latest Tony Phyrillas column/fact sheet.
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Read More: Pennsylvania by the numbersTaxes & Economy
Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and Wealth
Heritage Foundation report examines claims that recent economic growth isn’t benefitting workers – i.e. “the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer”. The study finds, instead,…
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Read More: Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and WealthTaxes & Economy
Business Climate Attitudes Remain Low
The Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research released its Fall 2006 Business Climate Survey, a survey of business owners and managers. Overall, attitudes about the PA business climate remain…
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Read More: Business Climate Attitudes Remain LowGovernment Accountability
A Tale of Two GOPs
Wall Street Journal editorial points out that Republicans are in strong shape in places where they stuck to the conservative principles they campaigned on (Florida) and are in deep…
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Read More: A Tale of Two GOPsRegulation
A $2-Trillion Fiscal Hole
Wall Street Journal article estimates the unfunded liabilities of state and local government’s retiree health care plans to be $1.4 trillion, about double the unfunded pension liabilities of $700…
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Read More: A $2-Trillion Fiscal HoleHealth Care
Poor prescription for health care in Pennsylvania
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal article on “Cover All Kids.”…
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Read More: Poor prescription for health care in PennsylvaniaHealth Care
Is ‘All Kids’ Health Coverage Going To Pass?
Coverage of yesterday’s Policy and Principles lunch and discussion on “Cover all Kids” in The Evening Bulletin.
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Read More: Is ‘All Kids’ Health Coverage Going To Pass?Regulation
Taxpayers burdened by legislative greed in pension decisions
Daily Review Editorial on the Looming Crisis in state pension plans.
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Read More: Taxpayers burdened by legislative greed in pension decisionsPublic Union Democracy
Teacher strikes: Unions mask cowardice with bully tactics
Simon Campbell, of Stop Teacher Strikes, Inc. editorial in the Bucks County Courier Times…
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Read More: Teacher strikes: Unions mask cowardice with bully tacticsTaxes & Economy
The Myth of Ethanol
Consumer Reports’ article finds that government mandates to use ethanol and new E85 cars – intended to create “energy independence” – has instead increased consumption of gasoline. The main…
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Read More: The Myth of Ethanol