Nathan Benefield

Nathan Benefield

Chief Policy Officer

Nathan (Nate) Benefield is the Chief Policy Officer at the Commonwealth Foundation.

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.”

Government Accountability

Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 16, 2014

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 Politics

Public Union Democracy

Video: Government Unions’ Political Power Cycle

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2014

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 Cycle

Education

Top 5 Articles of 2013

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 31, 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 2013

Education

Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 30, 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 2013

Public Union Democracy

The Unemployed Need Opportunities, Not Handouts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 19, 2013

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 Handouts

Regulation

Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia Teachers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 12, 2013

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 Teachers

Education

False Claims Fuel Charter Attacks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2013

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 Attacks

Education

School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2013

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

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2013

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 McCord

Education

Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2013

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

Regulation

Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes Later

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2013

Is your family ready to lose a mortgage payment or give up cellphone service for increased property and state taxes? Or would you rather see 33,000 public school teachers in…

Commentary

Read More: Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes Later

Health Care

“Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 31, 2013

In trying to persuade states to expand Medicaid, Obamacare advocates are using enough scare tactics to fill a haunted house. From threatening to discontinue Gross Receipt taxes to…

Media

Read More: “Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt

Education

Voters Support Education Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2013

Pennsylvania parents and voters want education reform. A new poll from StudentsFirst shows that Pennsylvania families strongly support educational reforms, including incentives for high performing teachers (74 percent support),…

Media

Read More: Voters Support Education Reform

Taxes & Economy

Unions, Democrats Link Transportation to Philly Schools Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2013

For months, state capitol pundits have complained about a “linkage” between votes on transportation funding and liquor store privatization. Indeed, government unions lobbied with taxpayer resources to try to…

Media

Read More: Unions, Democrats Link Transportation to Philly Schools Funding

Regulation

We Just Lowered the Debt Ceiling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2013

Yesterday, House and Senate leaders came together to negotiate a deal—that passed with bipartisan support in both chambers—to reduce our debt ceiling. If that sounds unbelievable, I should…

Media

Read More: We Just Lowered the Debt Ceiling

Education

Unions’ Taxpayer-Subsidized Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 14, 2013

How would you feel if you were forced to pay for a political cause that worked against your own beliefs and values? Outraged? Victimized? Just plain angry? Many Pennsylvania teachers,…

Commentary

Read More: Unions’ Taxpayer-Subsidized Politics

Regulation

PA Can’t Afford to Dither on Meaningful Pension Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2013

Is your family ready to pay nearly $900 more in property taxes and state taxes per year? Are you prepared to see 33,000 public school teachers in Pennsylvania — nearly…

Commentary

Read More: PA Can’t Afford to Dither on Meaningful Pension Reform

Regulation

Getting Rich off the Government Liquor Monopoly

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2013

Joe Conti, who once cosponsored legislation to privatize the state liquor store system, keeps finding a way to profit off of the state’s monopoly on wine and spirit sales.

Media

Read More: Getting Rich off the Government Liquor Monopoly

Regulation

Lawmakers Must Act on Pension Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 30, 2013

Today, Rep. Glen Grell unveiled a state pension reform proposal. We applaud Rep. Grell’s efforts to address the impending pension crisis.  Absent reform, pension contributions will continue to soar,…

Media

Read More: Lawmakers Must Act on Pension Crisis

Education

How Unions Use Students as Bargaining Chips

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2013

When government unions engage in labor disputes, they use their power and monopoly to remind the public of the value of their service. However, schoolchildren should never have to bear…

Commentary

Read More: How Unions Use Students as Bargaining Chips

Health Care

Healthy PA Can’t Cure Obamacare Disease

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • September 16, 2013

Gov. Corbett today unveiled a “Healthy PA” plan, calling for reforms to Medicaid while also accepting federal “Medicaid expansion” funds to buy insurance for 500,000 or more individuals on the…

Media

Read More: Healthy PA Can’t Cure Obamacare Disease