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.”
Health Care
Medicaid Myth #3: Ryan Plan Kicks Folks Off Of Medicaid
This concludes our blog series on the myths of the Ryan Medicaid plan. Wednesday‘s blog showed why Ryan’s plan would preserve rather than gut Medicaid and yesterday‘s post…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Myth #3: Ryan Plan Kicks Folks Off Of MedicaidHealth Care
Will Paul Ryan Raid Medicaid?
The 2012 campaign continues to center on candidates and their allies calling the other guys “extremists,” and few bear the title as often as Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. For…
Media
Read More: Will Paul Ryan Raid Medicaid?Health Care
Fact Check: Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity and Medicaid
Far from hurting the poor, Ryan's Medicaid plan will preserve their access to health care by making the government health care program affordable and sustainable. The plan has three main…
Memo
Read More: Fact Check: Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity and MedicaidEducation
Back to School Numbers
With kids returning to school this week, here are some fast facts about education spending and performance in Pennsylvania. $14,865: The amount Pennsylvania school districts spent per student in…
Media
Read More: Back to School NumbersState Budget
Four Alarms Reverberate in Corbett Memo
A recent memo from Gov. Corbett to all state agencies offers budget-saving tips, reminding officials that Pennsylvania faces a four alarm fiscal fire. PA Independent has…
Media
Read More: Four Alarms Reverberate in Corbett MemoTaxes & Economy
Pittsburgh Transit Bailout Railroads Taxpayers
PA Independent reports that Pennsylvania state taxpayers will give $30 million to the Port Authority of Allegheny County to entice the local union to sign a contract: Pittsburgh’s…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Transit Bailout Railroads TaxpayersEducation
Hundreds of Pa. Schools Taking Opportunity Scholarships
Since our last update on the new Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program, the Pa. Department of Education and Department of Community and Economic Development have compiled additional information…
Media
Read More: Hundreds of Pa. Schools Taking Opportunity ScholarshipsEducation
Keep Tuition Affordable Legislative Package
Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to Pennsylvania House State Government Committee, August 15, 2012 Good morning, my name is Nathan Benefield; I am the director of policy analysis for the…
Testimony
Read More: Keep Tuition Affordable Legislative PackagePublic Union Democracy
Union Allowed to Stalk in Pennsylvania
A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlights special state laws governing labor unions. For example, four states, including Pennsylvania, have anti-stalking laws, but exempt labor unions…
Media
Read More: Union Allowed to Stalk in PennsylvaniaHealth Care
ACA a Boon to Special Interests
Tim Carney continues to highlight the role special interests— including the largest players in the health care industry—played in crafting the socalled Affordable Care Act, dispelling the myth that…
Media
Read More: ACA a Boon to Special InterestsRegulation
No More Solyndras in Pa.’s Future?
Pennsylvania Independent’s Melissa Daniels writes that corporate welfare programs to benefit solar companies are on their way out in Pennsylvania, saving consumers more than $100 million. Two major state…
Media
Read More: No More Solyndras in Pa.’s Future?Welfare
Attorney General Chases More Welfare Thieves
In another example of those employed in the welfare system (allegedly) getting rich off the poor through fraud, Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly has charged two Delaware County DPW employees, Cynthia Lewis and Ivan…
Media
Read More: Attorney General Chases More Welfare ThievesEducation
Opportunity Scholarships Now Open for Business in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development issued new guidelines regarding the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program. Businesses can begin applying for tax credits on August 8.
Media
Read More: Opportunity Scholarships Now Open for Business in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Welfare Anti-Fraud Measures Earn Gold Medal
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare received an award for its recent efforts to curb waste and fraud. The Council of State Governments gave DPW a 2012 Innovations Award…
Media
Read More: Welfare Anti-Fraud Measures Earn Gold MedalEducation
Unable to Win, Union Bosses Try to Change Election Rules
My younger brother Matt and I often enjoy an intense pickup one-on-one basketball game. Being seven years older, I had the advantage for a long time. As kids, I was…
Media
Read More: Unable to Win, Union Bosses Try to Change Election RulesEducation
Taxpayers Benefit from School Choice
I had a letter to the editor in Friday’s edition of the Philadelphia Daily News on the benefits of the expansion of school choice in Pennsylvania for taxpayers…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Benefit from School ChoiceRegulation
Moody’s Sounds the Four Alarms
Yesterday, Moody’s Investor Services downgraded Pennsylvania’s bond rating one level. The downgrade implies Pennsylvania bonds are riskier than previously assessed, and it could make it more expensive for the…
Media
Read More: Moody’s Sounds the Four AlarmsGovernment Accountability
Union Privileges Fuel More Money in Politics
Turns out not everything is bigger in Texas. The Lone Star State has twice the population of Pennsylvania, yet when it comes to political spending, Pennsylvania’s labor unions can outgun…
Media
Read More: Union Privileges Fuel More Money in PoliticsHealth Care
ACA Encourages Young & Healthy to Stay Uninsured
An AP article claims the Affordable Care Act will lower the cost of insurance for young adults through a host of government interventions such as new mandates, Medicaid…
Media
Read More: ACA Encourages Young & Healthy to Stay UninsuredEducation
What School Choice Advocates are Saying about Pennsylvania’s “Massive School Choice Victory”
The fiscal year 2012-13 state budget increases the Educational Improvement Tax Credit by $25 million to $100 million and creates a new $50 million tax credit for Opportunity Scholarships—effectively doubling…
Media
Read More: What School Choice Advocates are Saying about Pennsylvania’s “Massive School Choice Victory”Education
School Choice Expansion in Pennsylvania
The fiscal year 2012-13 state budget increases the Educational Improvement Tax Credit by $25 million to $100 million and creates a new $50 million tax credit for Opportunity Scholarships—effectively doubling…
Memo
Read More: School Choice Expansion in Pennsylvania