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.”
Health Care
Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily Good
Economist Bill Dunkelberg gives his criticism of the health care bill signed this past week. Dr. Dunkelberg will keynote the upcoming RE Harper Economic Forums – April 26…
Media
Read More: Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily GoodTaxes & Economy
What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?
Recently, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics requested comments on how it should try to measure “green jobs.” Here are the comments I offered: I am writing in…
Media
Read More: What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?Government Accountability
Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff
In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…
Media
Read More: Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in TiffHealth Care
Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health Insurance
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing legislation that would allow residents of the Peach State to purchase insurance across state lines, unilaterally giving residents permission to buy coverage approved…
Media
Read More: Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health InsuranceTaxes & Economy
Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?
Three Pennsylvania pro-tax, pro-government subsidy of special interest groups issued a statement calling for state taxes on natural gas extraction and on cigars and smokeless tobacco. There statements suggest…
Media
Read More: Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?Health Care
Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are Idiots
Commenting about Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett joining AGs in 10 other states in a lawsuit against the federal health care bill, Gov. Rendell had this to say…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are IdiotsHealth Care
Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?
Ronald Reagan once said, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” Last night’s vote on health care reform was heralded by supporter as a “historic vote” which will…
Media
Read More: Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?Health Care
Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?
Eric Telford (Twitter handle JoeTaxpayer) has started to round up Congressmen who change their health care vote after getting big grants for their districts: …
Media
Read More: Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?Taxes & Economy
Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?
The Economist has a story on the city of Harrisburg’s fiscal mess, which has been years in the making. Thanks to an irresponsible city council, Harrisburg is still…
Media
Read More: Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?Government Accountability
The Case for a Part-Time Legislature
There is a direct link between our full-time legislature and our state economy. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis shows a strong connection between legislative professionalization and higher spending per capita, a…
Commentary
Read More: The Case for a Part-Time LegislatureEducation
Establishment Continues to Attack Cyber Schools
At a hearing yesterday, Pennsylvania School Boards Association touted additional proposals to cut off funding for cyber charter schools. One of these proposals would be that cyber schools would…
Media
Read More: Establishment Continues to Attack Cyber SchoolsHealth Care
Five Questions to Ask Your Congressman About Health Care Reform
The US House of Representatives is preparing to vote on health care legislation, or rather to vote to “deem” that the Senate health care bill, which has not passed the…
Media
Read More: Five Questions to Ask Your Congressman About Health Care Reform
Government Workers Won’t Be Screwed by 401k Plan
Capitolwire has a story (subscription) on a recent hearing regarding switching from defined-benefit pensions to defined-contribution (401k) plans for state and school employees. I was asked to respond to…
Media
Read More: Government Workers Won’t Be Screwed by 401k PlanState Budget
More Opposition to Rendell’s Sales Tax Expansion
The Post-Gazette sums up additional opposition to Gov. Rendell’s proposed expansion of the sales tax – this time from the computer services industry. The article also notes how Gov.
Media
Read More: More Opposition to Rendell’s Sales Tax ExpansionGovernment Accountability
Sunshine Week…Time for Spending Transparency in PA
This week is Sunshine Week, created to promote open government and celebrate James Madison’s birthday (which is today, and an aside, he is my favorite founding father). Now would…
Media
Read More: Sunshine Week…Time for Spending Transparency in PAGovernment Accountability
When Will These Guys Learn?
Pennsylvania Independent reports on two PA House contracts for voter lists, costing taxpayers over $225,000. Readers will recognize that this sounds quite a bit like the actions of former…
Media
Read More: When Will These Guys Learn?Taxes & Economy
SEPTA and I-80 Tolling
While the transportation industry is propping up the myth that I-80 tolls won’t be used for transit in Pennsylvania, SEPTA officials are busy lobbying for I-80 tolling in…
Media
Read More: SEPTA and I-80 TollingTaxes & Economy
More on the Unintended Consequences of the “Jobs Bill”
CS Monitor writes that the tax credits in the so-called “jobs bill” won’t encourage small businesses to hire. Worse yet, it might delay job creation: And as long…
Media
Read More: More on the Unintended Consequences of the “Jobs Bill”Health Care
Obama and the Slacker Mandate
In his health care rally in the Philadelphia area earlier this week, President Obama touted a proposed regulation that insurance companies would have to allow children up to age 26…
Media
Read More: Obama and the Slacker MandateRegulation
State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%
A new survey from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics looks at the total employer costs for workers in both the private and public sector. While wages for…
Media
Read More: State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%Government Accountability
Need for an Independent Fiscal Office in PA?
A new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office was the subject of a recent legislative hearing this week, with several lawmakers arguing the need for the office (which was included in…
Media
Read More: Need for an Independent Fiscal Office in PA?