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.”
Taxes & Economy
Crucial Reforms Needed in End-of-Year Budget
The recently completed state budget will dig Pennsylvania into a deep hole. Lawmakers passed a 7.5% increase in spending. The General Fund budget, including billions in one-time federal funds, is $36.54 billion—up from $33.98 billion last…
Media
Read More: Crucial Reforms Needed in End-of-Year Budget
Op-Ed: Don’t raise taxes while PA families are hurting
Months into this severe pandemic response, the economy is slowly recovering, as are state revenues, but lawmakers face a budget shortfall of at least $3 billion, according to the Independent Fiscal Office’s…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Don’t raise taxes while PA families are hurting
Op-Ed: Learning from Pennsylvania’s Election Chaos
We shouldn’t rely on courts to fix Pennsylvania’s election issues. Instead, changes to election timelines and processes should be enacted by the state legislature, not through executive actions or court…
Commentary
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Op-Ed: The Tax Bill Benefitted All Pennsylvanians. Will that Matter on Election Day?
To be sure, these numbers preceded the COVID-19 pandemic and economic lockdowns, which devastated job growth and earnings. Pennsylvania hit its lowest unemployment rate ever in 2019, but then skyrocketed to…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: The Tax Bill Benefitted All Pennsylvanians. Will that Matter on Election Day?
More from the Senate Education Committee Hearing
When schools closed last spring—and with many still not fully open—parents across Pennsylvania have seen their children lose ground while having to pick up the additional costs of at-home education.
Commentary
Read More: More from the Senate Education Committee Hearing
Op-Ed: Now is the time to rebuild Pennsylvania
By passing these ambitious, though necessary, reforms to help Pennsylvania rebuild its economy, lawmakers can start bridging the gap between what the people need and what government is focused on.
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Now is the time to rebuild Pennsylvania
Op-Ed: Transparency Victory a Call to Action for Lawmakers
Wolf’s pattern of lawlessness must be stopped—and lawmakers’ transparency victory could be the turning point that reins him in. …
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Transparency Victory a Call to Action for Lawmakers
While Nobody was looking, Harrisburg quietly spent $26 billion
Government institutions have gotten more than their fair share. Now it’s time to support parents who paid out-of-pocket for several months for their children’s education, on top of the tax…
Commentary
Read More: While Nobody was looking, Harrisburg quietly spent $26 billion
A Responsible State Budget? Only in Your Dreams
We can spend our money smarter through sound policy, and we can make hard budgeting decisions easier for lawmakers by placing real limits on spending.
Commentary
Read More: A Responsible State Budget? Only in Your DreamsHealth Care
Questions for Gov. Wolf
Gov. Wolf is proposing additional restrictions on businesses across Pennsylvania because of a rise in the number of new COVID cases. Here is a list of questions for Gov.
Commentary
Read More: Questions for Gov. WolfGovernment Accountability
Pa?s unemployment rate down in May, but still at near-record levels
More than 13% of Pennsylvania workers were officially unemployed in May, according to U.S. Department of Labor data released Friday. That’s an improvement from April’s record-setting 15.1% unemployment rate, but still the second highest rate…
Media
Read More: Pa?s unemployment rate down in May, but still at near-record levels
Pa. Legislature Votes to End Gov. Wolf’s COVID Disaster Declaration
June 9, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, the Pa. Legislature passed a resolution (HR 836) to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 disaster declaration with bi-partisan majorities in both chambers.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Legislature Votes to End Gov. Wolf’s COVID Disaster DeclarationGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an Apology
Gov. Wolf called local officials, job creators, and workers “cowards” and “deserters” for assessing local risks and daring to think for themselves.
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an ApologyGovernment Accountability
Solutions to Preventing Tax Increases in 2021
Lawmakers can respect the Pennsylvania constitution’s balanced budget amendment and act to prevent tax increases that will drive more families and businesses out of the state, further shrinking the revenue…
Memo
Read More: Solutions to Preventing Tax Increases in 2021Health Care
How Bad are April’s Unemployment Numbers for Pa?
More than 15% of Pennsylvania workers were unemployed—the highest level on record—according to U.S. Department of Labor data released today. More than 1.1 million payroll jobs were lost since February,…
Media
Read More: How Bad are April’s Unemployment Numbers for Pa?Taxes & Economy
Wolf Does What Lawmakers Want Him to Do, Just Slower
The reality is this: when Wolf vetoes a bill, he often follows his veto with similar executive action later, taking credit for the changes. This has been true since he…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf Does What Lawmakers Want Him to Do, Just SlowerGovernment Accountability
Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods
Wolf should take state lawmakers’ advice and bring transparency and fairness to Pennsylvania’s reopening — along with a sense of urgency. In doing so, he can continue flattening the curve…
Commentary
Read More: Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods
Op-Ed: State Lawmakers Must Act Now to Mitigate Crisis
In this time of uncertainty, lawmakers must not be passive. Instead, they should advance their own solutions to the problems developing in their districts and among their constituents. …
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: State Lawmakers Must Act Now to Mitigate CrisisHealth Care
Wolf’s Business Shutdown is Broken, Here’s How to Fix It
Gov. Wolf’s shutdown of “non-life-essential" businesses has caused more than 1.1 million Pennsylvania workers to lose their jobs in the last three weeks alone. This unprecedented loss of income is…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s Business Shutdown is Broken, Here’s How to Fix ItState Budget
5 Takeaways from Governor Wolf’s 2020 Budget Address
Governor Wolf unveiled his sixth budget proposal today. Here are five key takeaways.
Commentary
Read More: 5 Takeaways from Governor Wolf’s 2020 Budget AddressGovernment Accountability
Lawmakers Send Message to Wolf on Eve of Budget Address
February 3, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, on the eve of Gov. Wolf’s sixth state budget address, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a much-needed fiscal reform called the…
Press Release
Read More: Lawmakers Send Message to Wolf on Eve of Budget Address