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.”
Education
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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. …
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
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…
Media Hit
Read More: Let’s Put Pennsylvania Back on TrackProsperity
Inflation’s cause? It’s the spending, stupid.
Originally published in The Patriot-News Voters, nationally and within Pennsylvania, consistently rank inflation as their top concern. It’s no surprise. Consumer prices have jumped 8.3 percent in…
Media Hit
Read More: Inflation’s cause? It’s the spending, stupid.Prosperity
Stagnant Pennsylvania Economy Requires Real Business-Tax Reform
Originally published at RealClearPolicy In his final annual budget address, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf proposed a major reduction in the state’s corporate income tax. Wolf’s tax-cut plan may come…
Media Hit
Read More: Stagnant Pennsylvania Economy Requires Real Business-Tax ReformEducation
Special interests drive up education spending but hurt students and teachers
Originally published in The Mercury News Last month, after many delays, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released academic assessment results for 2021. The results were startling: over 47 percent…
Media Hit
Read More: Special interests drive up education spending but hurt students and teachersFairness
Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union Reform
Key Findings Government unions have enormous political power in Pennsylvania, due to a host of special legal privileges granted in state law.Government union executives use this power to trap government…
Report
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Needs Wisconsin-Style Government Union ReformProsperity
A real budget can bring prosperity to Pennsylvania
Originally published in The Patriot-News In in his annual budget address last week, Gov. Tom Wolf patted himself on the back for his management of the state’s finances. He…
Media Hit
Read More: A real budget can bring prosperity to PennsylvaniaProsperity
How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania Families
Key Points Excessive government spending and borrowing is causing record-setting inflation and severe supply chain shortages.Voters want fiscal restraint from their government.High taxes and spending are making Pennsylvania uncompetitive, costing…
Backgrounder
Read More: How Government Overspending Hurts Pennsylvania FamiliesProsperity
Op-Ed: Pa.’s out-of-control spending is driving away residents
Originally published in the Pittsiburgh Tribune-Review Gov. Tom Wolf recently declared 2022 a “magical year” for the Pennsylvania budget, citing the possibility of a surplus. However, Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: Pa.’s out-of-control spending is driving away residentsFairness
Op-Ed: How officials use tax dollars in lobbying efforts
Originally published in the PIttsburgh Post-Gazette Used-car salesmen, members of Congress and telemarketers all rank near the bottom of least-trusted professions. The lowest, however, is lobbyist. For decades, media and…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: How officials use tax dollars in lobbying effortsFairness
Op-Ed: Gerrymandering won’t save unpopular candidates
Originally published in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review With state and congressional redistricting underway in Harrisburg, many politicians have blamed “partisan gerrymandering” for past election losses. But this is another instance when the…
Media Hit
Read More: Op-Ed: Gerrymandering won’t save unpopular candidatesState Budget
Op-Ed: How the Taxpayer Protection Act would help Pennsylvania
It’s time for Pennsylvania lawmakers to return to fiscally responsible governance. Passing the Taxpayer Protection Act is the perfect place to start.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: How the Taxpayer Protection Act would help Pennsylvania