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.”
Public Union Democracy
Right to Work Helps Oklahoma Economy
A new analysis from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs shows that since the Sooner State passed a right to work law in 2001—allowing all workers to choose whether…
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House to Vote Marcellus Impact Fee
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB 1950 today, which would enact an impact fee on “nonconventional gas wells,” largely aimed at Marcellus Shale gas drilling.
Media
Read More: House to Vote Marcellus Impact FeeEducation
Is the Education Status Quo a Success?
Former Gov Ed Rendell was in town today to defend the status quo in education, claiming that more spending has produced great improvements in performance. Is he looking at…
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Read More: Is the Education Status Quo a Success?Education
Vouchers a Proven Solution
Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer featured a letter to the editor I wrote on school choice. Here is my full submission: I was disappointed to see the Inquirer’s…
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Read More: Vouchers a Proven SolutionTaxes & Economy
Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?
The Scranton Times-Tribune and the Patriot-News criticize HB 1950 (the natural gas fee proposal) for not taxing gas drillers enough, yet fail to include basic information about…
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Read More: Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?Education
Poll: Voters Want Broader School Choice
A new poll by Pulse Opinion Research, commissioned by Unite PA and the Independence Town Hall Tea Party Association, offers interesting information on public opinion on school choice.
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Read More: Poll: Voters Want Broader School ChoiceGovernment Accountability
Common Cause: Gas Political Money Can’t Match Unions
The third or fourth report by Common Cause PA on political spending (campaign contributions and lobbying) by the natural gas industry reveals nothing new. According to Common Cause, the Political…
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Read More: Common Cause: Gas Political Money Can’t Match UnionsRegulation
CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor Privatization
We had a few questions remaining from audience members following last week’s PolicyCast. In this short video, Priya Abraham and I tackle three questions on proposals to privatize state-run liquor…
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Read More: CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor PrivatizationEducation
Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Spending and Performance
Following yesterday’s post highlighting Pennsylvania’s performance on the Nation’s Report Card, a fan asked us to chart performance side-by-side with public school spending. The chart below shows the increase…
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Read More: Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Spending and PerformanceEducation
Nation’s Report Card: How Did Pennsylvania Schools Do?
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released “The Nation’s Report Card,” looking at students’ performance on the National Assessement of Educational Programs, or NAEP, in 2011. In…
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A Local Look at Marcellus Shale with Rep. Tina Pickett
State Rep. Tina Pickett represents the 110th legislative district—covering a large part of what is now considered “Marcellus Shale country.” She took some time to sit down with Matt Brouillette…
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Read More: A Local Look at Marcellus Shale with Rep. Tina PickettEducation
Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor Choice
In the latest edition of The BOX Program podcast, State Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne sits down sits down with Matt Brouillette. Sen. Browne discusses school choice and liquor store…
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Read More: Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor ChoiceEducation
Facts vs. Silly Rhetoric on School Choice
Tonight, I am speaking at a forum on school choice, and wanted to find some absurd, outlandish, and easily refuted claims from school choice opponents to lead with. Thanks…
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Read More: Facts vs. Silly Rhetoric on School ChoiceRegulation
Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?
The union boss who earns nearly $300,000 each year by forcing liquor store employees to pay dues to his union released a statement regarding the PFM group’s report…
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Read More: Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?Regulation
Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization Summary
Gov. Tom Corbett released a long-awaited study from The PFM Group on state liquor store privatization. Click here for the full study (nearly 300 pages), or here to get…
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Read More: Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization SummaryRegulation
Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?
The Patriot News obtained a draft copy of the forthcoming study on liquor store privatization commissioned by Gov. Tom Corbett. According to the story, the report predicts auctioning…
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Read More: Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?Education
School Choice: Accountable and Successful
Here is a recent letter I submitted to the Delaware County Times: A recent story carries the title, “Educators oppose guv’s voucher plan,” though the story quotes no…
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Read More: School Choice: Accountable and SuccessfulTaxes & Economy
Blame Game No Jobs Gain
Pennsylvania House Democrats put out an email blaming Gov. Corbett and Republicans for a lousy economy: Since Republicans passed the Corbett budget in June, unemployment in Pennsylvania has risen more…
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Read More: Blame Game No Jobs GainEducation
School Choice Saves Kids, Taxpayers $4 Billion
Critics of expanding school choice in Pennsylvania often claim it will “cost too much” or drain precious resources. But in fact, school choice already saves Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $4…
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Read More: School Choice Saves Kids, Taxpayers $4 BillionEducation
Truth About Failing Schools is Scary
Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released an analysis updating violence statistics from failing public schools. These 141 schools with data available all rank in the bottom-5 percent based on…
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Read More: Truth About Failing Schools is ScaryTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax
The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee held a hearing today on a number of proposals to eliminate, reduce, or change the state inheritance tax. The Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to all…
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