Nathan Benefield
Chief Policy Officer
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.”
Prosperity
Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the way
Originally published in The Patriot-News Who is in poverty—and why—is often mischaracterized by both the political right and left. Some blame the poor for lacking a work ethic.
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Read More: Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the wayState Budget
Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For…
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Read More: Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls ShortProsperity
Commonwealth Foundation Sr. VP Nathan Benefield Responds to Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Priorities
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Sr. VP Nathan Benefield Responds to Gov. Shapiro’s Budget PrioritiesEnergy
Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget Address
Profligacy Exacerbates Budget Deficit Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget calls for $45.9 billion in ongoing General Fund spending and $43 billion in net state revenues (after refunds). Thus, Pennsylvania has…
Report
Read More: Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget AddressEducation
Senior VP Nathan Benefield on the Dom Giordano Program highlighting education funding
Our Sr. Vice President Nathan Benefield recently chatted with radio host Dom Giordano about the ruling regarding education funding in Pennsylvania.
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Read More: Senior VP Nathan Benefield on the Dom Giordano Program highlighting education fundingEducation
States Can Expand Educational Freedom Through Federal Tax Credit
Originally published in Newsweek Throughout the nation, parents are demanding educational freedom for K–12 students. A majority of states have adopted school choice programs, yet most are limited by…
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Read More: States Can Expand Educational Freedom Through Federal Tax CreditProsperity
PA Lawmakers Can Reverse the Population Exodus
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania New data from the Census Bureau reveal that residents are fleeing Pennsylvania at an alarming rate. Pennsylvania lost nearly 40,000 residents to other states from July 2021…
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Read More: PA Lawmakers Can Reverse the Population ExodusProsperity
Gov.-Elect Shapiro can learn valuable lessons from his predecessor’s mistakes
Originally published at The Patriot-News Tom Wolf concludes his second, and final, term as Pennsylvania’s 47th governor this month. His eight years in office were a time of…
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Read More: Gov.-Elect Shapiro can learn valuable lessons from his predecessor’s mistakesEnergy
Assessing Gov. Tom Wolf’s Tenure
Key Points During Gov. Tom Wolf’s eight years in office, Pennsylvania ranked below the national average in income growth, job growth, and population growth.State government spending increased significantly under Wolf,…
Backgrounder
Read More: Assessing Gov. Tom Wolf’s TenureFairness
On voter ID, trust the voters
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Last session, Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to require voter identification in elections. The state House and Senate must…
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Read More: On voter ID, trust the votersEducation
Shapiro’s campaign promises offer blueprint for bipartisanship
Originally published in The Patriot-News In the past few months, Pennsylvanians have seen their share of negative ads making radical claims—that one party is hell-bent on destroying democracy…
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Read More: Shapiro’s campaign promises offer blueprint for bipartisanshipProsperity
Pa.’s corporate welfare for select businesses keeps the state down
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Just before the end of the legislative season, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a package of tax credits that will, over time, dole out $2…
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Read More: Pa.’s corporate welfare for select businesses keeps the state downFairness
Weingarten tour can’t rewrite years of learning losses
Originally published at Broad + Liberty The American Federation of Teachers’ get-out-the-vote bus tour began its Pennsylvania leg in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The tour, designed to bolster left-wing candidates, comes…
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Read More: Weingarten tour can’t rewrite years of learning lossesFairness
PA Is the Epicenter of Democrats’ Political Spending
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro’s overflowing campaign coffers underscore the importance of Pennsylvania to national politics—and the influence of government unions in elections. With four…
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Read More: PA Is the Epicenter of Democrats’ Political SpendingFairness
Unions should not trample the rights of government workers
Originally published in The Patriot-News Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that no government worker could be forced to pay into a union they…
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Read More: Unions should not trample the rights of government workersFairness
Government unions are outsized bullies holding workers, taxpayers hostage
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review As we enter election season, it’s time we address the elephant in the room. It’s an elephant with an outsized influence on Pennsylvania…
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Read More: Government unions are outsized bullies holding workers, taxpayers hostageEducation
If Student Enrollment Is Down, Why Are Some School Districts On A Hiring Spree?
Originally published at The Federalist As students head back to school this year, it’s difficult to ignore the nationwide claims of teacher shortages, with special interest groups blaming underfunding. …
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Read More: If Student Enrollment Is Down, Why Are Some School Districts On A Hiring Spree?Prosperity
We’re in a recession – despite any rosy indicators
Originally published at City & State PA Is the economy in a recession? Facts tell us yes – regardless of what the Biden administration claims. Real U.S. gross domestic…
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Read More: We’re in a recession – despite any rosy indicatorsProsperity
Families Need a Rein on Inflation, Not Shortsighted Spending Gimmicks
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The Consumer Price Index (CPI) hit a 40-year high in June, with an increase of 9.1% over last year before holding steady in July. According…
Media Hit
Read More: Families Need a Rein on Inflation, Not Shortsighted Spending GimmicksEducation
The historic expansion of tax credit scholarships is a win for our kids
Originally published in The Patriot-News Pennsylvania’s new state budget includes a historic $125 million expansion of two successful scholarship programs—the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship…
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Read More: The historic expansion of tax credit scholarships is a win for our kidsProsperity
Let’s Put Pennsylvania Back on Track
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvanians want better. Nearly 70% of voters believe that the commonwealth is “seriously” heading in the wrong direction. Worse yet, new polling shows…
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Read More: Let’s Put Pennsylvania Back on Track