Nathan Benefield

Nathan Benefield

Senior Vice President

Nathan (Nate) Benefield is the Senior Vice President 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 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

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

Public Union Democracy

Government Union Cronies Collude Against Seniors

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 3, 2013

Here’s a letter to the editor I wrote identifying the connections between special interest groups who oppose a lottery contract, and their motives for undermining a deal that would generate…

Media

Read More: Government Union Cronies Collude Against Seniors

Taxes & Economy

Pa.’s Economic Glass Half Full?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 27, 2012

Will Bunch’s column in the Philadelphia Daily News last week takes a very negative view of Pennsylvania’s economic climate, based on the premise that the state unemployment rate is higher…

Media

Read More: Pa.’s Economic Glass Half Full?

Public Union Democracy

The Grinch Who Would Steal Seniors’ Christmas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 20, 2012

A faux-grassroots group funded by government unions is protesting a proposed contract for a private company to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery. The deal would guarantee a minimum of…

Media

Read More: The Grinch Who Would Steal Seniors’ Christmas

Public Union Democracy

Government Unions Tighten Squeeze

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 17, 2012

Following the passage of Right to Work in Michigan, pundits are wondering about the prospects of similar reform here in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Inquirer correctly notes Right…

Media

Read More: Government Unions Tighten Squeeze

Health Care

Hidden Costs of Obamacare Exposed

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • December 14, 2012

While much has been written about the cost of the exchange and the Medicaid expansion, a mountain of hidden mandates could cost Pennsylvania taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over…

Media

Read More: Hidden Costs of Obamacare Exposed

Health Care

Corbett Exchange Decision Right Call

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • December 13, 2012

Governor Corbett’s decision yesterday to refuse to implement a state-based health care exchange under the Affordable Care Act (which means Pennsylvania will revert to a federally-run exchange), was the…

Media

Read More: Corbett Exchange Decision Right Call

Public Union Democracy

More Wolverine Lessons

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 10, 2012

Friday, Charles commented on Michigan nearing passage of Right to Work, in line to become the 24th state where workers aren’t forced to pay fees to a union…

Media

Read More: More Wolverine Lessons

Criminal Justice Reform

Three of Four Alarms Still Ringing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 3, 2012

Late last month, the Independent Fiscal Office released its annual report looking at Pennsylvania’s economy and forecasting state budget expenditures and revenues. The trends remain alarming. Most notably, state…

Media

Read More: Three of Four Alarms Still Ringing

Regulation

Film Credits More Blooper Reel than Blockbuster

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 21, 2012

Film industry lobbyists are renewing calls for more corporate welfare for the film industry, through expansion of Pennsylvania’s Film Tax Credit.  As we’ve noted time and…

Media

Read More: Film Credits More Blooper Reel than Blockbuster

State Budget

Federal Funds Aren’t “Free”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 20, 2012

There’s no such thing as a free lunch—meaning everything in life, including government programs, must be paid for.  Unfortunately, many advocates of government health insurance expansion explain the Affordable…

Media

Read More: Federal Funds Aren’t “Free”