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
PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha Center
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire (subscription) reports today that the line items from the RACP legislation ($600 million in borrowing for corporate welfare, included as part of the budget deal),…
Media
Read More: PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha CenterEducation
Penn State Clears “Award-Winning” Mann in Climategate
Unsurprisingly, Penn State’s second investigation into its own faculty member, Michael Mann, cleared him of any scientific misconduct charges today. Among the reasons for clearing Mann, the report notes:…
Media
Read More: Penn State Clears “Award-Winning” Mann in ClimategateRegulation
Another Budget Trick Revealed
During our PA Budget Chat yesterday, we were commenting on how the the line item for School Employees’ Retirement – i.e., the state’s contribution to teacher’s pensions – was…
Media
Read More: Another Budget Trick RevealedState Budget
PA Senate Passes State Budget
Today, the the Pennsylvania Senate passed the state budget by a vote of 37-13. The no votes were: Alloway, Argall, Earll, Eichelberger,…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Passes State BudgetState Budget
Ten Facts about the PA Budget Deal
Legislative leaders and Gov. Rendell reached an agreement on a PA state budget deal yesterday. Here are some facts about the $28.05 billion new spending plan: Lawmakers were able…
Media
Read More: Ten Facts about the PA Budget DealState Budget
Latest PA Budget Update from Sen. Pileggi
PA Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi was the speaker at today’s Press Club in Harrisburg, offering some updates on the budget negotiations, and some comments on the fiscal cliff Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Latest PA Budget Update from Sen. PileggiTaxes & Economy
The Environment Impact of Natural Gas Drilling
Concerns about the environment impact of natural gas drilling are well-founded, but often overstated. A common misconception is that the hydraulic fracturing process has contaminated many wells and groundwater.
Media
Read More: The Environment Impact of Natural Gas DrillingRegulation
The Terror of Unlicensed Interior Designers
The Patriot News has a short article about Pennsylvania lawmakers consider legislation to require interior designers to get a license with the state. To get a license, an interior…
Media
Read More: The Terror of Unlicensed Interior DesignersGovernment Accountability
Disclosing the Assault on Free Speech
As election season approaches, Democrats in the House are scrambling to gather votes to pass the DISCLOSE Act. Even the ACLU criticizes the effect DISCLOSE would have on…
Media
Read More: Disclosing the Assault on Free SpeechState Budget
Balancing the PA Budget with Gimmicks
The temperature is in the 90s in Harrisburg this week, and most folks are wearing short sleeves. One exception is budget negotiators, who are still keeping plenty of tricks up…
Media
Read More: Balancing the PA Budget with GimmicksRegulation
Knee-Jerk Reaction on Liquor Store Privatization
Following yesterday’s post of Rep. Mike Turzai talking about liquor store privatization, I got a couple of replies via Twitter from “Swanny88,” which makes…
Media
Read More: Knee-Jerk Reaction on Liquor Store PrivatizationTaxes & Economy
Hypocrisy of “Conservation Voters”
I sent the letter below to the group “Conservation Voters of PA“: I saw your press release demanding Tom Corbett return the $6,000 campaign contribution he…
Media
Read More: Hypocrisy of “Conservation Voters”Regulation
Video: Privatizing PA Liquor Stores
State Rep. Mike Turzai stops by to talk about his proposal to privatize Pennsylvania’s wine and spirit sales in a new video: Click the links in this…
Media
Read More: Video: Privatizing PA Liquor StoresTaxes & Economy
Government Spending and Economic Growth
The Mercatus Center has a new brief policy analysis reviewing the economic literature on the role of government spending and economic growth. Their conclusion would (but should not)…
Media
Read More: Government Spending and Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
Baptists and Bootleggers
ReasonTV has a new video up on “Bootleggers and Baptists.” This is a concept that relates to virtually everything we do here at the Commonwealth Foundation. The…
Media
Read More: Baptists and BootleggersEducation
The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies
Gov. Rendell's budget once again demands significant increases in public school spending. Ostensibly, these increases are "for the children," but a close examination of education spending and policy proposals reveals…
Commentary
Read More: The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies
Proposal to Require Super-Majority for Property Tax Hikes
Tony Phyrillas highlights legislation moving through the PA State Senate, sponsored by Sen. Rafferty, that would require super-majority of school board members to approve a property tax increase. We…
Media
Read More: Proposal to Require Super-Majority for Property Tax HikesGovernment Accountability
Are All Lawmakers Crooks?
This past Friday, former State Rep. Mike Veon, who had served as PA House Democrat Whip, was sentenced to 6 to 14 years in prison for his role in…
Media
Read More: Are All Lawmakers Crooks?Taxes & Economy
New Data on Pennsylvania’s Economy Still Grim
Contrary to Gov. Rendell’s seemingly rosy interpretation of Pennsylvania latest job numbers, the BLS data hardly inspires confidence. In May (seasonally adjusted data): Pennsylvania added 19,000 payroll jobs…
Media
Read More: New Data on Pennsylvania’s Economy Still GrimTaxes & Economy
Video: Welfare Fraud
CF Research Associate Elizabeth Stelle gives testimony on welfare fraud and abuse in Pennsylvania in this latest video, courtesy the PA House Republican Policy Committee. You…
Media
Read More: Video: Welfare FraudState Budget
More Tricks to Balance the PA Budget?
Rumors are circulating the state capitol that Pennsylvania lawmakers will take money out of the Tobacco Settlement Fund to balance this year’s state budget. This is not only a…
Media
Read More: More Tricks to Balance the PA Budget?