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.”
Taxes & Economy
New, Better Property Tax Relief Proposal – Media Coverage
Patriot News “Breaking News” coverage of our Property Tax Relief Scholarship proposal. Get our press release, or download our Policy Brief for more details and district-specific property…
Media
Read More: New, Better Property Tax Relief Proposal – Media Coverage
The Property Tax Relief Scholarship Act
To date, the school property tax discussion in Pennsylvania has narrowly focused on the revenue side of the equation, without addressing the spending side of the ledger. This has led…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Property Tax Relief Scholarship ActTaxes & Economy
Governor Rendell: The Era of Big Government is Just Beginning
Two Gems from Governor Rendell in The Scranton Times-Tribune: “Rendell says voters have a clear choice between a candidate who talks of cutting taxes and limiting spending – Swann…
Media
Read More: Governor Rendell: The Era of Big Government is Just BeginningState Budget
Are they really “Fake” Republicans?
OpinionJournal – John Fund on the Trail: “‘The Republican Party is now principally moderate, if not liberal’ on spending, Mr. Specter told reporters after a majority of GOP senators…
Media
Read More: Are they really “Fake” Republicans?State Budget
CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released their annual Pig Book yesterday, which indentifies $29 billion of pork-spending (defined as requests by members of Congress for special projects) in the…
Media
Read More: CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006Education
PHEAA says receipts would reveal secrets
PHEAA refuses to disclose what they are spending their money on, the Patriot News reports, citing “trade secrets.” Far be it from me to suggest that taxpayers and…
Media
Read More: PHEAA says receipts would reveal secretsGovernment Accountability
TV Coverage of Commonwealth Foundation at PLC
If you won’t be able to attend the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, you will still be able to catch it all live on PCN – Pennsylvania Cable Network, starting…
Media
Read More: TV Coverage of Commonwealth Foundation at PLCTaxes & Economy
PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging Behind
Release from the BEA this morning on State Personal Income 2005. Pennsylvania ranked 37th in personal income growth in 2005, not as low as past years, but below the…
Media
Read More: PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging BehindTaxes & Economy
Wages of Politics
Wall Street Journal on the minimum wage. Topics on this pageThe Wall Street Journal…
Media
Read More: Wages of PoliticsRegulation
War on Wal-Mart coming to PA
From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Best quote: “Wal-Mart is trying to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.” Those heathens, trying to compete against unionized stores. Topics on…
Media
Read More: War on Wal-Mart coming to PARegulation
Pay Raise and Pensions Linked
Coverage of the pay raise and pension link from Centre Daily Times, citing Rick Dreyfuss and our pension study. Topics on this pageCentre Daily Times…
Media
Read More: Pay Raise and Pensions LinkedTaxes & Economy
Abuse of Eminent Domain
Harrisburg Airport continues its quest to use eminent domain to take over a nearby competitor, according to the Patriot News. The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) is trying…
Media
Read More: Abuse of Eminent DomainPublic Union Democracy
Answering the Teachers Unions
John Stossel on RealClearPolitics Topics on this pageJohn StosselRealClearPolitics…
Media
Read More: Answering the Teachers UnionsTaxes & Economy
Minimum wage push continues
From The Morning Call Online: “Kate Philips, Rendell’s spokeswoman, said the administration is grateful the bill emerged from the committee, but that $6.25 ”barely keeps us competitive” with…
Media
Read More: Minimum wage push continuesState Budget
Easiest Way to Cut Pork
Five US Senators, in a letter to President Bush, ask him to cut down on earmarked spending (i.e. pork barrel projects) simply by not spending the money. They claim…
Media
Read More: Easiest Way to Cut PorkEducation
School Vouchers are Improving Education in Milwaukee
Summary by National Center for Policy Analysis of a article in the New York Times. Topics on this pageMilwaukeeNational Center for Policy Analysis…
Media
Read More: School Vouchers are Improving Education in MilwaukeeTaxes & Economy
Raising Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Will Result in Job Loss
News release from Employment Policies Institute on PA minimum wage. Raising Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Will Result in Job Loss for Low-SkilledEarned Income Tax Credit a Better Way…
Media
Read More: Raising Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Will Result in Job LossEducation
Cyberschools have districts edgy
Times-Tribune article on the growth of Pennsylvanias’ Cyberschools. The bottom line: students do better when parents are able to choose which school is best for them. Topics on…
Media
Read More: Cyberschools have districts edgy
Rendell’s pay not “real money”
From CapitolWire: Rendell’s pay not “real money”…For those of you who haven’t heard just how much Gov. Ed Rendell travels in upper-bracket circles these days, he was…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s pay not “real money”Taxes & Economy
State Revenue Boom Paves Way for Tax Cuts
An analysis by the Cato Institute of tax revenue and rates for all 50 states ranks Pennsylvania as a “state in need of tax cuts.” This is based on…
Media
Read More: State Revenue Boom Paves Way for Tax CutsRegulation
Pay no attention to the coming crisis.
In an Alfred E Neuman-esque “What, me worry?” Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees claims there is no future pension problem in Pennsylvania. “…
Media
Read More: Pay no attention to the coming crisis.