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.”
Public Union Democracy
Super PACs Supersize Union Political Spending
Super PACs are elbowing into state elections, promising to supersize the already dominating role unions play in electoral politics. Effectively, Super PACs can collect and spend an unlimited amount of…
Commentary
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Are Teachers’ Union Dues Used for Politics?
Did you see the PSEA’s latest Voice magazine? It features a full two-page article, claiming, among other things, that “no dues money is given to candidates.” This is true…
Media
Read More: Are Teachers’ Union Dues Used for Politics?Education
Playing the Education Lottery
Last month, families from across Pennsylvania waited anxiously to hear if they had finally won the lottery. But these hopeful parents weren’t looking to win the MegaMillions—they were hoping for…
Commentary
Read More: Playing the Education LotteryEducation
Charter School Reform
Good morning, my name is Nathan Benefield; I am the vice president of policy analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation. I wish to thank Auditor General DePasquale for the opportunity to…
Testimony
Read More: Charter School ReformPublic Union Democracy
Super PAC will Super Size Union Dues in Politics
You may have read articles about a federal judge allowing a “Super PAC” to operate in Pennsylvania to attack Republicans. Effectively, Super PACs can collect and spend unlimited amounts…
Media
Read More: Super PAC will Super Size Union Dues in PoliticsGovernment Accountability
State House to Tackle Union Violence
Federal charges of racketeering and arson against several Philadelphia union members, who called themselves The Helpful Union Guys (or T.H.U.G.s) has renewed interest in closing a loophole in…
Media
Read More: State House to Tackle Union ViolencePublic Union Democracy
Union Dues Still Fund Politics & Union Members Don’t Like It
Last night, I spoke with ABC 27 about polling that shows the vast majority of union household support ending taxpayer collection of union political money. See the video…
Media
Read More: Union Dues Still Fund Politics & Union Members Don’t Like ItEducation
The Berlin Wall of Philadelphia’s Public Schools
Students in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh had their hopes dashed last week when they lost out on the chance to land one of the few vacant openings in charter schools. In…
Media
Read More: The Berlin Wall of Philadelphia’s Public SchoolsPublic Union Democracy
Unions Pouring Big Money in Pennsylvania Elections
As we’ve pointed out in the past, unions—often using campaign contributions collected at taxpayer expense—dominate political spending and electioneering. Well, the first campaign…
Media
Read More: Unions Pouring Big Money in Pennsylvania ElectionsEducation
Myth: PA Spends Less on Education
There are many myths circulating about how much Pennsylvania spends on public education. One such myth is that the state government used to provide 50 percent of all revenue for…
Media
Read More: Myth: PA Spends Less on EducationState 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
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