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.”

Regulation

Remove Politics from Pensions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 6, 2013

A letter to the editor I sent to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes on some of the myths and facts of pension reform: Nina Esposito-Visgitis, president of the Pittsburgh…

Media

Read More: Remove Politics from Pensions

Health Care

Facts, Not Hate, In Medicaid Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 6, 2013

“A few dying residents won’t matter to these people…”  So say supporters of implementing Obamacare in Pennsylvania about our friends at Americans for Prosperity.  AFP launched a new action…

Media

Read More: Facts, Not Hate, In Medicaid Debate

Health Care

Medicaid “Free Lunch” Nauseates Lawmakers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 4, 2013

Following news that Gov. Corbett was going to meet with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and rumors he might reverse his opposition to expanding…

Media

Read More: Medicaid “Free Lunch” Nauseates Lawmakers

Health Care

No “Free Lunch” with Medicaid Expansion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 28, 2013

If I offered you a "free lunch" every day for the rest of your life, you'd take it, right? Oh, but there are a few strings attached. The lunch may…

Commentary

Read More: No “Free Lunch” with Medicaid Expansion

Health Care

Where Does Government Get Money?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 28, 2013

Where does the federal government get its money? Does it grow on trees? Does it fall from the sky like manna from heaven? Is there a genie who keeps granting…

Media

Read More: Where Does Government Get Money?

Regulation

Pension Reform Doesn’t Bring Higher Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 26, 2013

The Allentown Morning Call features an article on pension reform in which a representative of the Public Employee Retirement Commission claims that Gov. Corbett’s proposal to put new employees…

Media

Read More: Pension Reform Doesn’t Bring Higher Costs

Health Care

Medicaid Harms States, Poor & Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2013

A new report and commentary from the Galen Institute details the reasons why the “free money” promised by the federal government for expanding Medicaid is a bad deal…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Harms States, Poor & Taxpayers

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians Bleeding Green with Energy Mandates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2013

Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will result in higher energy costs, leading to lower incomes and less investment, and costing the state thousands of jobs, according to a new study…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Bleeding Green with Energy Mandates

Regulation

Leader Launches Liquor Liberty Legislation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 21, 2013

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai put forth a cosponsorship memo announcing legislation to end the government-run liquor store monopoly.  The legislation will be officially introduced on March 4 as…

Media

Read More: Leader Launches Liquor Liberty Legislation

Regulation

Taxpayers Lose without Lottery Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 14, 2013

Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced today she would not sign off on a contract with a private manager for the Pennsylvania lottery. The real losers from this decision are…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Lose without Lottery Deal

State Budget

Budget Proposal: 5 Key Facts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 14, 2013

As we head into months of meetings, hearings, and special interest protests at the Capitol, here are five must-know facts about Governor Corbett’s budget proposal: Gold Stars: “Recommends against”…

Media

Read More: Budget Proposal: 5 Key Facts

Regulation

Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 12, 2013

The Patriot News reports that private lottery manager Camelot Global Services may not be willing to extend its bid beyond the current expiration date of Saturday. Attorney General Kathleen…

Media

Read More: Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

State Budget

Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 11, 2013

The Affordable Care Act—often dubbed Obamacare—included 20 new taxes or tax increases. As these taxes are beginning to go into effect, businesses are starting to feel the impact, and…

Media

Read More: Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs

State Budget

Standing with Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2013

Most Pennsylvanians probably weren't aware – or don't care – that Governor Corbett delivered his 2013-14 budget proposal this week.  But they should!  Spending $20,900 per family of four, the…

Commentary

Read More: Standing with Taxpayers

State Budget

Spending Restraint Fosters Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2013

Critics, and likely election challengers, of Gov. Tom Corbett point to the singular fact that the state’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average (though not significantly,…

Media

Read More: Spending Restraint Fosters Economic Growth

Regulation

Liquor Liberty at Long Last?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2013

Yesterday, Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his proposal for privatizing the government-run liquor stores and bringing Pennsylvania into the 21st century when it comes to the sale of alcohol. Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Liquor Liberty at Long Last?

Regulation

Pension Bomb to Hit Pennsylvania Families

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 18, 2013

Are you ready to pay an additional $1,000 in state and local taxes alone?  Prepared to see your child's teacher laid off? Thanks to bad promises politicians made to good…

Commentary

Read More: Pension Bomb to Hit Pennsylvania Families

Taxes & Economy

How Do Pa. Gas Taxes Stack Up?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 17, 2013

In the wake of reports Gov. Corbett will unveil a transportation funding plan that includes increasing the cap on the Oil Company Franchise Tax, the Tax Foundation has put…

Media

Read More: How Do Pa. Gas Taxes Stack Up?

Public Union Democracy

Lottery Agreement Better Than Union Guesstimate

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • January 10, 2013

AFSCME’s counter proposal to the Pennsylvania Lottery private management agreement (PMA) provides no guaranteed revenue for senior services, no new jobs and no protections for taxpayers if profits fall…

Media

Read More: Lottery Agreement Better Than Union Guesstimate

Public Union Democracy

Union Attacks Won’t Improve Lottery

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 9, 2013

AFSCME Council 13, the union representing state lottery employees, released its “Alternatives” to a lottery private management agreement.  However, their document doesn’t represent a serious counter-proposal that would…

Media

Read More: Union Attacks Won’t Improve Lottery

Regulation

Lottery Deal = Guarantees not Gamble

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2013

Lottery profits fund programs for senior citizens—but demand for these services is growing faster than Lottery revenue.  The private lottery management agreement recently bid out by the…

Media

Read More: Lottery Deal = Guarantees not Gamble