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.”
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.
Media
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…
Media
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.
Media
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.
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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.
Media
Read More: Tax Cuts and the EconomyGovernment Accountability
Lame ducks ruffle feathers in 3 statehouses
Stateline.org article on Lame Duck legislatures. Guess which state is the leader in post-election shenanigans.
Media
Read More: Lame ducks ruffle feathers in 3 statehousesTaxes & Economy
Income tax cuts benefit all payers
USA Today article exposes the rhetoric of “tax cuts for the rich.” They note that middle income taxpayers saw a larger percent reduction in their tax burdern, and that…
Media
Read More: Income tax cuts benefit all payersEducation
Is Our Kids Learning?
Following multiple reports on student test scores, much has been made about how well Pennsylvania students are performing. In August, Governor Rendell delighted in the results from the PSSA—the state’s…
Commentary
Read More: Is Our Kids Learning?Health Care
Statement on Health Savings Accounts
John Goodman of NCPA’s US Senate Testimony on Health Savings Accounts and the need for consumer driven health care.: “If health care really were free, people would have an…
Media
Read More: Statement on Health Savings AccountsRegulation
Auditor general’s report on pension funds should be an alarm bell to Pennsylvanians
Allentown Morning Call on the looming crisis in state pension systems.
Media
Read More: Auditor general’s report on pension funds should be an alarm bell to PennsylvaniansEducation
Posh dorms become the norm
AP story on the posh living quarters and lifestyles of today’s college students. As the alma mater is featured (and I must admit, I had quite the bachelor pad…
Media
Read More: Posh dorms become the normTaxes & Economy
Group plans rally to oppose seizure
Upcoming STOMP Rally to feature the Commonwealth Foundation.
Media
Read More: Group plans rally to oppose seizure