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.”
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 8Health 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 ClothesHealth Care
GOP, Rendell’s office spar over CHIP
Patriot News Article on “Cover All Kids”…
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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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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 Low