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.”
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 TaxesGovernment Accountability
State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s Cronyism
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a story about the state paying to lease office space, even though they’ve closed the office. But the more interesting part of the is…
Media
Read More: State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s CronyismTaxes & Economy
Who are the Tea Partiers?
The Sam Adams Alliance has a new report out presenting findings from a survey of 50 “tea party movement” leaders. Among the more interesting findings 46.9 percent were uninvolved…
Media
Read More: Who are the Tea Partiers?Taxes & Economy
About 25% of Highway Fund Doesn’t go to Highways
Robert Poole has a Washington Times article on how federal gas tax money in the “highway fund” is often diverted to other political purposes. Today, the federal role…
Media
Read More: About 25% of Highway Fund Doesn’t go to HighwaysPublic Union Democracy
Teacher Unions Bankrupting the State
The pension crisis has been looming large throughout the state, yet pension reform proposals in Pennsylvania have been met with protests by school employees unions. The Pottstown…
Media
Read More: Teacher Unions Bankrupting the StateRegulation
Rendell’s Pension “Fix” Merely Delays Costs
With his 2010-11 budget, Gov. Rendell got around to addressing the looming pension crisis. However, his proposed “fix” – re-amortizing the liabilities over 30 years, then phasing in the…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Pension “Fix” Merely Delays CostsTaxes & Economy
Transportation Industry Misleads on I-80 Tolling
A couple of recent editorials in favor of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plan to toll I-80 – both by transportation industry insiders – gives some misleading info. Peter Javsicas of…
Media
Read More: Transportation Industry Misleads on I-80 TollingState Budget
Tax Foundation Analysis of Rendell’s Tax Proposals
Joe Henchman of the Tax Foundation has put together a Fical Fact looking at Gov. Rendell’s tax increases in the proposed Pennsylvania state budget. Here is the quick overview:…
Media
Read More: Tax Foundation Analysis of Rendell’s Tax ProposalsTaxes & Economy
NTU Congressional Ratings for Pennsylvania
The National Taxpayers Union released their annual Congressional report card (for votes in 2009). Here are the votes they rated. NTU’s rating is based on “every roll call…
Media
Read More: NTU Congressional Ratings for PennsylvaniaRegulation
What the Heck is Net Neutrality?
Reason TV attempts to explain the issue of net neutrality in a new video. …
Media
Read More: What the Heck is Net Neutrality?Government Accountability
Who’s Blogging About CF?
Here are some recent updates from various blogs mentioning Commonwealth Foundation, or giving us some good linkage: Redstate notes our call for an independent investigation into Penn State professor…
Media
Read More: Who’s Blogging About CF?Regulation
Property Tax Relief Not as Awesome as Rendell Says
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner put out another report that should embarrass the Rendell administration, this one one the claimed benefits of property tax relief. (Full report in…
Media
Read More: Property Tax Relief Not as Awesome as Rendell Says