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.”
Education
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?Government Accountability
The Case for a Citizen Legislature
The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Case for a Citizen LegislatureRegulation
Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAIL
Pennsylvania governor candidate Tom Corbett and his campaign team unveiled the first of seven policy outlines on economic development. Much of what it outlines is simply political rhetoric –…
Media
Read More: Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAILTaxes & Economy
Time to Act on Medicaid Fraud
The Heartland Institute put out a compilation of resources on reducing fraud in Medicaid and Medicare. In Pennsylvania, Auditor General Jack Wagner has found fraud and errors in Medicaid…
Media
Read More: Time to Act on Medicaid FraudRegulation
PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that dozens of Pennsylvania state troopers raided some Philly bars for selling unregistered brands of beer: Although the bar owners had bought the beer…
Media
Read More: PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars
Opposition Rising to Philadelphia’s Soda Tax
Opposition has been rising to Mayor Michael Nutter’s proposed tax on sugary drinks in Philadelphia – often referred to as a “soda tax” (but never a “…
Media
Read More: Opposition Rising to Philadelphia’s Soda TaxHealth Care
Buying Insurance Across State Lines
John Goodman summarizes the issue of interestate competition for health insurance: Every state has mandated health insurance benefits. These are laws requiring insurers to cover services ranging from…
Media
Read More: Buying Insurance Across State LinesGovernment Accountability
Debating a Constitutional Convention
Following Jack Wagner’s announcement that he supports a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention (he is, I believe, the only candidate for PA Governor to yet endorse a Con Con) has cause…
Media
Read More: Debating a Constitutional ConventionRegulation
Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires
In an interview with the Allentown Morning Call, Gov. Rendell calls for changing the pension benefits for new state and school district employees, citing the enormous costs of…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New HiresPublic Union Democracy
Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment
David Henderson has a post up on the Econlog blog about how unemployment benefits increase the unemployment rate. He cites himself, the Federal Reserve, and Obama economic advisor Larry…
Media
Read More: Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment
PA’s Property Tax Referendum Not Limiting Property Taxes
At a PA Senate hearing this week, Sen. Lisa Boscola grilled the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education on Act 1 – which provided for voter referendum on school property tax…
Media
Read More: PA’s Property Tax Referendum Not Limiting Property Taxes