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.”
State Budget
Gov. Rendell Left Pennsylvania a Big Deficit
Recent headlines have former Gov. Ed Rendell challenging Gov. Tom Corbett on the issue of the deficit he left the current administration. Gov. Corbett has campaign ads stating he closed…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Left Pennsylvania a Big DeficitPublic Union Democracy
Big Labor’s Billions Targeting PA
Unions are spending millions on politics, and drumming up issues like a minimum wage increase, solely to win some elections, the New York Times reports today. Union leaders are…
Media
Read More: Big Labor’s Billions Targeting PAGovernment Accountability
Union Spokesmen Still Lying About Paycheck Protection
Yesterday, I pointed out that union leaders would use every bogeyman and slogan in their playbook rather than explain why taxpayers should collect their political money. As if on…
Media
Read More: Union Spokesmen Still Lying About Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Union Members Support Paycheck Protection
Last week, my colleague Bob wrote in the Patriot News that union leaders are waging a “war on truth” by attacking paycheck protection but ignoring the real issue: whether…
Media
Read More: Union Members Support Paycheck ProtectionState Budget
5 Facts About the State Budget Proposal
The 2014-15 Pennsylvania State Budget proposal is more than 1000 pages, but we’ve boiled it down to five facts taxpayers you need to know 1. State Spending is at an All-Time…
Media
Read More: 5 Facts About the State Budget ProposalState Budget
State Budget Déjà Vu
Ceremonies in Punxsutawney have come and gone, but every year Groundhog Day reminds me of the film of the same name—in which Bill Murray lives the same day over and over…
Commentary
Read More: State Budget Déjà VuPublic Union Democracy
Should Public Resources be Used to Collect Political Money?
My letter to the editor in the Carlisle Sentinel attempts to cut through all the rhetoric and ad hominem attacks by getting straight to the point regarding the debate…
Media
Read More: Should Public Resources be Used to Collect Political Money?Government Accountability
Government Unions Bosses United for Political Attack Ads
Politics PA reported last week that a group called “Americans United for Change” is targeting four Pennsylvania Congressmen (Charlie Dent, Joe Pitts, Mike Fitzpatrick, and Pat Meehan) in their…
Media
Read More: Government Unions Bosses United for Political Attack AdsPublic Union Democracy
National, State Teachers’ Unions Don’t Talk to Teachers
A survey of National Education Association (NEA) members, summarized by the Educational Intelligence Agency, reveals most teacher union members never hear from state and national union officials. While most…
Media
Read More: National, State Teachers’ Unions Don’t Talk to TeachersPublic Union Democracy
Pennsylvania Next in Union Crosshairs
Government union leaders are ramping up their attack messaging machine in Pennsylvania and planning a rally to bully state lawmakers as they did in Wisconsin and Michigan. But…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Next in Union CrosshairsGovernment Accountability
Answering the Critics About Paycheck Protection
Under current law and contracts, it’s permissible for a school district’s personnel office to act as the collection agent for Political Action Committee contributions and membership dues…
Memo
Read More: Answering the Critics About Paycheck ProtectionGovernment Accountability
Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics
One of the biggest myths used to oppose paycheck protection is the claim “union dues money can’t be used for politics” despite all evidence…
Media
Read More: Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
Video: Government Unions’ Political Power Cycle
How do government union leaders use their unfair political advantage to promote bad policies? Our latest video looks at how government unions have…
Media
Read More: Video: Government Unions’ Political Power CycleEducation
Top 5 Articles of 2013
Yesterday, we gave you the 5 most popular blog posts of 2013. Today, we are highlighting the 5 most read articles of 2013 on our website. 1) The (Growing)…
Media
Read More: Top 5 Articles of 2013Education
Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013
As 2013 winds to a close, we thought we’d run down the top stories of the past year. Here are Commonwealth Foundation’s top 5 blog posts, as chosen by you…
Media
Read More: Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013Public Union Democracy
The Unemployed Need Opportunities, Not Handouts
Those suggesting the federal government continue its temporary extension of unemployment benefits point to our stagnant economy and high unemployment as justification. But, in truth, these results have been caused…
Commentary
Read More: The Unemployed Need Opportunities, Not HandoutsRegulation
Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia Teachers
Thousands of school teachers in Philadelphia will see their retirement plans switched to 401(k)-type plans next year—and the union representing those teachers is okay with the reform. Shocked? I should…
Media
Read More: Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia TeachersEducation
False Claims Fuel Charter Attacks
The Education Law Center has issued an attack on legislation to allow universities to approve new charter schools. In a single paragraph, a spokesman for the group makes makes…
Media
Read More: False Claims Fuel Charter AttacksEducation
School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?
Pennsylvania earned a “C+” for providing citizens information on how public schools spend money, according to a recent report from the Cato Institute titled “Cracking the…
Media
Read More: School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?Government Accountability
Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord
State Treasurer Rob McCord received endorsements for governor last week from two government unions—UFCW 1776 and AFSCME. That means big money from union PACs to his campaign. The…
Media
Read More: Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCordEducation
Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers
It was the last straw for teacher Steve Calabro. When the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) ran advertisements claiming any teacher who didn’t contribute to the union PAC was part…
Commentary
Read More: Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers