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
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…
Media
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…
Media
Read More: A $2-Trillion Fiscal HoleHealth Care
Poor prescription for health care in Pennsylvania
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal article on “Cover All Kids.”…
Media
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.
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
Read More: The Myth of Ethanol
Why Are Health Costs Rising?
NCPA Analysis on why health care cost have been escalating. The primary conclusion – third party payers drive up cost. However, when consumers of health care pay the bills…
Media
Read More: Why Are Health Costs Rising?Health Care
Public Health Insurance in Canada Financially Unsustainable
Canada’s model of government paid health care is unstainable, according to a Fraser Institute Report.
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Read More: Public Health Insurance in Canada Financially UnsustainableTaxes & Economy
Swann Tax Cuts
A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center on the revenue losses from Lynn Swann’s proposed tax cuts would seem to cast doubt on our projections. There…
Media
Read More: Swann Tax CutsRegulation
Getting mileage out of perks
Brad Bumsted and Debra Erdley in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the excesses in PA House perks. Turns out that Mike Veon, Democratic Whip from Beaver Falls, collects more in…
Media
Read More: Getting mileage out of perksHealth Care
Uncovering Cover All Kids
This past summer, state legislative leaders sent Governor Rendell a letter promising legislation by October authorizing the Governor’s “Cover All Kids” initiative. They included over $2 million in the state…
Commentary
Read More: Uncovering Cover All KidsTaxes & Economy
Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battle
Alison Hawkes article on the battle over mercury and auto emissions standards. DEP plans to set higher standards than the federal requirement. While many legislators have objected, DEP’s decision…
Media
Read More: Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battleTaxes & Economy
Tax Cuts Helped the Poor
Waterbury Connecticut Republican-American editorial on the benefits of federal tax cuts on all income levels. It’s a point worth repeating, since those tax rates will go up if not…
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Read More: Tax Cuts Helped the PoorTaxes & Economy
Tax Tidal Wave
Wall Street Journal article on how increased federal tax revenue-the largest two year increase in history (stemming from economic growth following tax cuts)-are reducing the federal deficit. Of course,…
Media
Read More: Tax Tidal WaveRegulation
Pa. pension plan overhaul overdue
Lancaster New Era piece on the looming crisis in the state’s pension plans.
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Read More: Pa. pension plan overhaul overdue
Commonwealth Foundation Report Mentioned in Governor Debate
Here is the Commonwealth Foundation analysis cited in last night’s gubernatorial debate.
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Report Mentioned in Governor DebateTaxes & Economy
Property Taxes by County
Tax Foundation Data – Property Taxes on Owner Occupied Housing by County, 2005. Data on average property tax paid, average home value, and average income for homeowners. Features the…
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Read More: Property Taxes by CountyEducation
Federal probe targets PHEAA
The US Department of Education is investigating PHEAA for overbilling taxpayers for federal loan reimbursements, the Patriot News reports. I guess PHEAA will have to open their books after…
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Read More: Federal probe targets PHEAATaxes & Economy
Gov’t subsidies bad economic policy
Bill Dunkelberg’s comments on KYW: Philadelphia Gas Works wants a hundred million more dollars of your money. Why? Well, over the years, they have been inefficiently managed, beset with…
Media
Read More: Gov’t subsidies bad economic policyTaxes & Economy
Tax Cuts and the Economy
Heritage Foundation Report titled (and summarized) Tax Rate Reductions Strengthen the Economy, But Excessive Government Spending Threatens Long-Run Performance.Some very nice charts and numbers are in there.
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Read More: Tax Cuts and the Economy