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
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 PennsylvaniaRegulation
Op-Ed: Pennsylvanians can’t afford Biden’s multi-trillion tax-and-spend plan
With the legislative sausage-making now underway, it’s likely Pennsylvanians would find the menu of specific tax hikes distasteful.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Pennsylvanians can’t afford Biden’s multi-trillion tax-and-spend plan
Op-Ed: Pa. lawmakers can end educational chaos by passing HB 1
Educational choice policies like those in the Excellent Education for all Act (House Bill 1) empower parents.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Pa. lawmakers can end educational chaos by passing HB 1
Op-Ed: Empower Parents, Not Union Leaders
Originally published at RealClearEducation Earlier this year, the New York Post revealed that the American Federation of Teachers – one of America’s two national teachers’ unions – had…
Media
Read More: Op-Ed: Empower Parents, Not Union Leaders
Gov. Wolf Contradicts Himself, Implements School Mask Mandate
Today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that his administration will implement a mask mandate for all public and private schools and daycare facilities in the commonwealth despite having repeatedly stated that…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Contradicts Himself, Implements School Mask Mandate
Op-Ed: Limited government can make a comeback
For advocates of limited government, it’s easy to feel like the fight is over and the country is on the path to fiscal ruin. But such pessimism is unwarranted.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Limited government can make a comeback
Op-Ed: Limited Government Can Make a Comeback in Pandemic Era
States like Pennsylvania are also pushing against unbridled gubernatorial powers. In the past, Republicans and Democrats criticized executive overreach when the opposing party was in power. Both parties, however, rarely…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Limited Government Can Make a Comeback in Pandemic EraState Budget
2021 Budget Takeaways
Last week, the Pa. General Assembly passed a state budget deal that includes $40 billion in the General Fund budget, increases in tax credit scholarships, and a number of policy…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 2021 Budget Takeaways
Op-Ed: PA Gov. Attacks Lawmakers’ Sensible Election Reforms
Wolf is also ignoring new polling from Franklin & Marshall College, which shows that Pennsylvania voters believe election reform is necessary. Among voters polled, 81% favor signature matching for mail-in ballots…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: PA Gov. Attacks Lawmakers’ Sensible Election Reforms
Op-Ed: With $7 billion windfall, Pa. should focus on jobs, students
With this budget, lawmakers should enact policies that help our citizens find work and ensure that every kid has access to a high-quality education.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: With $7 billion windfall, Pa. should focus on jobs, students
Op-Ed: Fight Against PA Guv’s Powers Reflects Bipartisan Trend
The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s efforts to restrict Wolf’s emergency declaration – renewed four times – has reached its endgame in the form of two constitutional amendments in a statewide voter…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Fight Against PA Guv’s Powers Reflects Bipartisan Trend
Op-Ed: Voters can limit the power of the governor on May 18
Pennsylvanians can’t allow Wolf to wield such powers over our communities without working alongside the Legislature.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Voters can limit the power of the governor on May 18