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.”
Government Accountability
Best Legislative Session Ever?
Jan Murphy of the Patriot-News notes that the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Legislative Session had the fewest new laws passed in 24 years. Since most pieces of legislation are a new…
Media
Read More: Best Legislative Session Ever?Taxes & Economy
How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs
The Pennsylvania Solar Industries Association, along with PennEnvironment are touting a solar industry sponsored study, which estimates the Commonwealth has created 6,700 solar jobs. These groups are not…
Media
Read More: How Green Jobs Destroy Good JobsTaxes & Economy
Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?
PA State Senator John Eichelberger gives a scathing review of Pennsylvania’s 2008 “dog law”, which had the noble intention of shutting down “puppy mills,” but has resulted in forcing…
Media
Read More: Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?State Budget
Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion More
Gov. Rendell is pushing to issue $1 billion in new state debt before he leaves office in January. Of course, before the bonds are issued, either the Auditor General or…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion MoreTaxes & Economy
Long-Term Care a Growing Part of State Spending
The Healthcare Economist blog highlights the size and growth of long-term care (LTC) spending. Medicaid spending on long-term care services, including home/community care and traditional nursing homes, has approximately quadrupled in the past…
Media
Read More: Long-Term Care a Growing Part of State SpendingTaxes & Economy
Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol Subsidies
Yesterday, former Vice President and emperor of global warming alarmism Al Gore admitted that it was a mistake to support ethanol mandates and subsidies. Gore blamed the political dynamics,…
Media
Read More: Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol SubsidiesRegulation
Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What Now
My presentation to the Berks County Patriots on Pennsylvania state spending and the fiscal and economic challenges facing Pennsylvania is available below, or can be downloaded here:…
Media
Read More: Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What NowPublic Union Democracy
Where do Union Dues Go?
Here is a great new video from the Competitive Enterprise Institute tracking the use of union dues. In forced-union states like Pennsylvania—in which employees can be required to join…
Media
Read More: Where do Union Dues Go?Regulation
Chart: PA Pension Spike Delayed
After the passage of HB 2497 yesterday, assuming Gov. Rendell signs the bill, and it overcomes court challenges on its constitutionality, the dreaded pension spike will be merely delayed a…
Media
Read More: Chart: PA Pension Spike DelayedRegulation
Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”
Fox 29 Philadelphia has a video story up about the use of RACP money—state borrowing for corporate welfare—for projects such as resort spas, sports stadiums, and Tasty Cakes (not…
Media
Read More: Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”Regulation
HB 2497 Increases Pension Unfunded Liabilities
As we’ve pointed out, PSERS own charts show that the reform would leave the pension fund dangerously close to 50% funded—the…
Media
Read More: HB 2497 Increases Pension Unfunded LiabilitiesRegulation
Media and Bloggers Highlight Coming Pension Battle
In advance of Monday’s vote on HB 2497, the Union Pension Bailout—and afraid folks would be caught unaware of this lame-duck effort—the Commonwealth Foundation issued an action alert;…
Media
Read More: Media and Bloggers Highlight Coming Pension BattlePublic Union Democracy
School Union Continues to Deceive Its Members
Matt wrote earlier about the millions of dollars public sector unions have poured in political campaigns to get their union pension bailout.
Media
Read More: School Union Continues to Deceive Its MembersRegulation
Union Campaign Cash for HB 2497
Who is not aware that the natural gas industry gave tons of campaign cash to elected officials in PA? Very few, as the media loved to tell that story…
Media
Read More: Union Campaign Cash for HB 2497Government Accountability
Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension Bailout
Dear CF Friend, We’ve just learned that the Pennsylvania House will be returning on Monday for a lame duck session, and will likely vote on a union…
Media
Read More: Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension BailoutState Budget
Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You Think
When a lot of folks, both media and pundits, talk about the Pennsylvania state budget, and the fiscal crisis facing Governor-elect Tom Corbett, they mention a…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You ThinkTaxes & Economy
Message from Voters in 2010 is Same as Message in 2006
Former Politics PA, now National Journal reporter Alex Roarty asks (via a re-tweet) whether there is any evidence that voters rejected Republicans in 2006 due to overspending. Luckily,…
Media
Read More: Message from Voters in 2010 is Same as Message in 2006Regulation
Pileggi Ignores Support for Real Pension Reform
Here is a letter I sent to the West Chester Daily Local, responding to a piece by state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, which argues for passing a flawed pension bill now,…
Media
Read More: Pileggi Ignores Support for Real Pension ReformRegulation
Corbett’s Challenge
As Tom Corbett prepares for his move into the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, he must be realizing the magnitude of what he is about to undertake: the governorship of a state…
Commentary
Read More: Corbett’s Challenge
PA House Cancels Lame-Duck Session
Today, Pennsylvania House of Representatives leaders announced there would be no more voting days this year, rather than holding a planned lame-duck session. Please be advised that the…
Media
Read More: PA House Cancels Lame-Duck SessionGovernment Accountability
PA Election Fun Facts
In case you missed our Election Night Live Blog last night, here are some highlights and fun facts. While Pat Toomey won the election for US Senate, he trailed…
Media
Read More: PA Election Fun Facts