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.”
Public Union Democracy
Who Would Oppose Reforming a Costly, Unnecessary Law?
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives may vote today on a bill to reform the 1961 prevailing wage mandate. The prevailing wage requires government to pay higher wages and benefits for…
Media
Read More: Who Would Oppose Reforming a Costly, Unnecessary Law?Health Care
CF Joins More than 400 State Lawmakers in Brief on Health Care Law
The Commonwealth Foundation joined 17 other organizations and 333 state legislators from across the country in an amicus curiae brief challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act passed…
Media
Read More: CF Joins More than 400 State Lawmakers in Brief on Health Care LawTaxes & Economy
PA House Roll Call Vote on Marcellus Shale Billl
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House passed the HB 1950 Conference Committee Report by a 101-90 margin with 99 Republicans and 2 Democrats FOR it and 10 Republicans and 80 Democrats AGAINST…
Media
Read More: PA House Roll Call Vote on Marcellus Shale BilllState Budget
5 Facts about Gov. Corbett’s Budget Proposal
Here are five things everyone should know about Gov. Corbett’s proposed Pennsylvania state budget. Reduces overall spending. Both the General Fund and the total operating budgethave been cut – for…
Media
Read More: 5 Facts about Gov. Corbett’s Budget ProposalState Budget
Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy
It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our…
Commentary
Read More: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s EconomyTaxes & Economy
Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated their employment data by state through the end of 2011 (subject to revision). Looking at December job data (“not seasonally adjusted”) over…
Media
Read More: Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999Welfare
Yes, Welfare is for Poor People
The Department of Public Welfare announced its plan to impose an asset test for food stamp recipients. The proposal would limit food stamps to most households with under $5,500…
Media
Read More: Yes, Welfare is for Poor PeopleRegulation
Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a Cracker
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing a special tax deal to attract a “cracker” plant to the state. The proposed Shell cracker—which breaks down natural gas…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a CrackerTaxes & Economy
The “Facts” on Food Stamps
City Paper contributor Daniel Denvir tries to diminish the impact of our Philadelphia Inquirer column on food stamps by offering “facts” in rebuttal. Unfortunately, most of these “facts”…
Media
Read More: The “Facts” on Food StampsEducation
Year of School Choice…and Beyond
The Alliance for School Choice released its latest School Choice Yearbook highlighting the developments in school choice in 2011, as well as each of the programs in the United…
Media
Read More: Year of School Choice…and BeyondGovernment Accountability
Does Pennsylvania Need Fewer Legislators?
A proposal to reduce the Pennsylvania State House from 203 representatives to 153 will be voted on in the coming weeks by the House. The proposal is certainly…
Media
Read More: Does Pennsylvania Need Fewer Legislators?Education
School Choice: The ABC’s
In time for National School Choice Week, the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice released its 2012 ABC’s of School Choice. The new guide gives an overview of what…
Media
Read More: School Choice: The ABC’sCriminal Justice Reform
Fiscal Outlook for Pennsylvania: Not Too Rosy
This week the new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office held its first annual seminar on the state economy and revenue. After a series of presentations on the state of the…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Outlook for Pennsylvania: Not Too RosyState Budget
Turnpike Commission Defends Ballooning Debt
Following our post yesterday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wanted to make sure we saw their response to Auditor General Jack Wagner’s warning on their growing debt. The Turnpike…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission Defends Ballooning DebtTaxes & Economy
Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Transportation Spending
Many advocates and industry representatives have been calling for increasing transportation spending in Pennsylvania. Yet over the past 16 years, state transportation spending has increased by 127 percent, a fact…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Transportation SpendingState Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Freezes in Perspective
Yesterday, Gov. Corbett and the Office of the Budget released a list of 2011-12 budgetary freezes—reductions in spending from the enacted General Fund budget—due in part to revenue shortfalls. I…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Freezes in PerspectiveGovernment Accountability
Top 10 Posts of 2011
For your “year in review” pleasure, here are the most popular CF articles and research papers of 2011, based on readership: Citizens Guide to Electric Choice and Competition…
Media
Read More: Top 10 Posts of 2011Taxes & Economy
PA Online Sales Tax Guidelines Claim First Casualty
When the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue issued a new bulletin instructing online vendors about collecting state sales tax, tax reform advocates expressed a lot of concern. The new…
Media
Read More: PA Online Sales Tax Guidelines Claim First CasualtyTaxes & Economy
Tax-Exempt Government Property Adds to Harrisburg’s Woes
The city of Harrisburg is facing a fiscal crisis primarily brought on by over-spending, accruing too much debt, and getting into areas government has no business—from the incinerator to owning…
Media
Read More: Tax-Exempt Government Property Adds to Harrisburg’s WoesTaxes & Economy
Map: PA Among Highest Unemployment Tax Rates
The Tax Foundation has a new map showing unemployment insurance tax rates. As you can see, Pennsylvania has one of the highest tax rates in the nation. The unemployment…
Media
Read More: Map: PA Among Highest Unemployment Tax RatesGovernment Accountability
Redistricting Reform Needed…Four Years Ago
The Pennsylvania House is expected this week to to pass the Congressional redistricting bill. House Democrats, in the minority, are complaining about the gerrymandering of the new map.
Media
Read More: Redistricting Reform Needed…Four Years Ago