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.”
Regulation
Getting state legislators to work is costly
Post-Gazette article on the cost to taxpayers of the travel of several state lawmakers. Just another example of a failure of many in cover to be frugal when someone…
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Read More: Getting state legislators to work is costlyState Budget
States Looking to Spending Caps
While legislation limiting the growth of state spending in Pennsylvania (the “Taxpayer Fairness Act”) has stalled in the House Rules Committee, at least six states will be having ballot initiatives…
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Read More: States Looking to Spending CapsTaxes & Economy
Politics trumps economics in Chicago
The Chicago city council passed a law which would mandate “Big-Box” retailers pay a minimum wage of $10/hour and $3 in fringe benefits, essentially an effort to keep Wal-Mart out…
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Read More: Politics trumps economics in Chicago
President Rendell?
From Philadelphia Magazine: “Ed Rendell was dead in the water five months ago. Now it appears he’s a shoo-in to get reelected, and there are whispers about a VP…
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Read More: President Rendell?Regulation
Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region
The Brookings Institution released a study on manufacturing jobs lost in the Great Lakes region. The numbers and findings are interesting: many of the nation’s manufacturing jobs “lost” were…
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Read More: Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region
Ed Rendell takes credit for everything
Tony Phyrillas latest editorial. Topics on this pageEd RendellTony A. Phyrillas…
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Read More: Ed Rendell takes credit for everythingState Budget
Budgeting in Neverland
Policy Analysis from the Cato Institute on how Congress overspends because they only hear from the spending lobby, not taxpayers, during the budget process. The same can be said…
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Read More: Budgeting in Neverland
Tax Cuts Lead to Economic Growth
The US Treasury Department released an analysis yesterday finding what we already knew – tax cuts spur economic growth. The Wall Street Journal summarizes this report. It also finds…
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Read More: Tax Cuts Lead to Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
More Vinsanity
A press release from Senator Vince Fumo’s office dismisses any notion that Pennsylvania business taxes are too high, citing select data showing Pennsylvania has merely a mediocre economic record…
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Read More: More VinsanityTaxes & Economy
Dukakis on Minimum Wage and Immigration
Editorial by Michael Dukakis in today’s New York Times. Dukakis claims that if we raise the minimum wage to $8 hour, businesses will stop hiring illegal immigrants. Essentially…
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Read More: Dukakis on Minimum Wage and ImmigrationTaxes & Economy
Tax Cuts are Good for Everyone
And (almost) everyone understands that, from today’s Wall Street Journal. Topics on this pageThe Wall Street Journal…
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Read More: Tax Cuts are Good for EveryoneTaxes & Economy
PA Businesses to See Tax Cuts?
A report released today by The Tax Foundation looks at legislation expected to be voted on by the US House tomorrow on business taxes. This bill (HR 1956) would…
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Read More: PA Businesses to See Tax Cuts?Regulation
Sweet, sour of lawmaker pensions
More on lawmaker’s pensions and the coming crisis in the York Daily Record. Topics on this pageYork Daily Record…
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Read More: Sweet, sour of lawmaker pensionsTaxes & Economy
Politicians are failing to tax and spend state to prosperity : The Morning Call Online
Read Matthew Brouillette’s latest commentary in today’s Allentown Morning Call.
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Read More: Politicians are failing to tax and spend state to prosperity : The Morning Call OnlineTaxes & Economy
Businesses are becoming “sick of Pennsylvania”
Article in The Republican & Herald on the tax climate in PA. Topics on this pagePennsylvania…
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Read More: Businesses are becoming “sick of Pennsylvania”Taxes & Economy
Friedman(s) talk current issues
Wall Street Journal intervew with Milton and Rose Friedman coverring illegal immigration, Iraq, and government spending. Topics on this pageIraqThe Wall Street Journal…
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Read More: Friedman(s) talk current issuesRegulation
Harrisburg pensions: 50 lawmakers leaving seats this year
Chambersburg Public Opinion on retiring lawmakers’ pensions and the need to fix the pension system. Topics on this pageHarrisburgPublic Opinion…
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Read More: Harrisburg pensions: 50 lawmakers leaving seats this yearRegulation
21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay Raise
Rock the Capital reports that Rep. Steven Stetler, who announced this week he would be retiring from office in September, will receive a pension increase of over $2,000/year from…
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Read More: 21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay RaiseRegulation
More money spent on gambling; still none received
Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review with more about the tranfer of funds to run the Gaming Control Board. Apparently, Gov. Rendell and budget Sec. Michael Masch plan to…
Media
Read More: More money spent on gambling; still none receivedHealth Care
Judge overturns Wal-Mart law
AP Story on the overturning of Maryland’s “Wal-Mart” Health Care law. This law would have required all businesses with 10,000 or more workers to spend at least 8% of…
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Read More: Judge overturns Wal-Mart lawGovernment Accountability
Database to Monitor Spending?
US Senators Tom Coburn and Jeff Flake have proposed a database tracking all recipients of federal grants (see Cato Institute analysis). Like many of you, I would enjoy easy…
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Read More: Database to Monitor Spending?