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.”
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 FactsGovernment Accountability
Election Night Live Chat
Tonight, beginning at 4 pm until around midnight, we will be live blogging about the election results. In addition to CF’s team, the blog will feature PA Independent’s reporters,…
Media
Read More: Election Night Live ChatHealth Care
A Free Market in Health Care?!?
A commenter on our latest Policy Points on Health Care Reform describes health care as “the free market, unregulated situation at the time the Act was passed.” I’m not…
Media
Read More: A Free Market in Health Care?!?Health Care
Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?
Here is an email I sent to FactCheck.org: Your recent article claims insurance premiums won’t go up. Are you kidding? Simple economics, or the experience of states like…
Media
Read More: Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?Taxes & Economy
Rendell is Still Governor, I’m Still Fact-Checking
Gov. Rendell, being bored because he can’t campaign for re-election, held another press conference, probably his four thousandth this month, to discuss the Tax Foundation’s new Business Tax Climate…
Media
Read More: Rendell is Still Governor, I’m Still Fact-CheckingTaxes & Economy
Newt Says No Natural Gas Tax in PA
Yesterday, John Micek reported that Newt Gingrich expressed support for a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania, writing, “even Mr. Republican Revolution his ownself thinks the state should have…
Media
Read More: Newt Says No Natural Gas Tax in PA
Rendell’s Meaningless Moratorium
Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced he would issue a “moratorium” on new gas drilling on state forest land. He must think it is a good political move to appeal to…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Meaningless MoratoriumEducation
Gov. Rendell Vetoes Education Bill
Last week, Gov. Rendell vetoed an education bill that combined several smaller pieces of legislation. Rendell did not like a provision that would declare charter school buildings owned by…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Vetoes Education BillState Budget
Rendell’s Legacy of Spending
Here is my letter to the editor in today’s Wall Street Journal on Gov. Rendell’s spending record: Regarding the contribution of Gov. Ed Rendell in “Four…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Legacy of SpendingHealth Care
Pelosi Explains the Health Care Bill
In a speech in Pittsburgh to the “Women of Steel”, which includes the Steelworkers union, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Supergirl, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi outlined what…
Media
Read More: Pelosi Explains the Health Care BillTaxes & Economy
They’re Laughing at Our Low Taxes
The Patriot News has an editorial today claiming Pennsylvania needs to enact a natural gas severance tax so that other states stop laughing at us. No really, states with…
Media
Read More: They’re Laughing at Our Low Taxes