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
How Dumb is the Jobs Bill?
So the logic behind Stimulus 3, or the so-called “jobs bill” is that the first stimulus (the Bush stimulus of 2008, predicated largely on tax rebates) worked so well the…
Media
Read More: How Dumb is the Jobs Bill?Regulation
The Trillion Dollar (and then some) Pension Gap
The Pew Report on state pensions, finding a $1 trillion unfunded liability nationally, has already received a great deal of attention, so here are just some brief highlights for…
Media
Read More: The Trillion Dollar (and then some) Pension GapGovernment Accountability
PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses
I have often remarked that the exorbitant costs of Pennsylvania legislators’ per diems (see Tribune Review and ABC 27 stories) – that they receive to pay for food…
Media
Read More: PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy HousesGovernment Accountability
Lower Legislative Pay = Better Government
A new study of state legislative pay and party competition in the American Political Science Review, finds that, in addition to greater party competition, modest pay for legislators leads…
Media
Read More: Lower Legislative Pay = Better GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Did the Stimulus Raise Unemployment?
Alan Reynolds takes a nuanced approach to where stimulus funding went, and why it didn’t “create jobs” or increase GDP, and probably increased unemployment: [T]he GDP report clearly…
Media
Read More: Did the Stimulus Raise Unemployment?Regulation
How Rendell’s Cigar Tax Will Hurt Pennsylvania Businesses
For the second year in a row, Gov. Rendell has proposed a tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco, assuming this will have no impact on jobs or the economy. (As…
Media
Read More: How Rendell’s Cigar Tax Will Hurt Pennsylvania BusinessesRegulation
Pension Obligation Bonds: Worst Idea Ever
Rick Dreyfuss has a new article for the Mackinac Center in Michigan, where lawmakers are floating the idea of Pension Obligation Bonds to help fill their pension gap. Of…
Media
Read More: Pension Obligation Bonds: Worst Idea EverState Budget
Will the PA “Cost Cutting Commission” Cut Costs?
The Pennsylvania Senate’s new Cost Study Commission met for the first time on Friday, discussing the cost of the state fleet – which currently maintains 16,000 vehicles, half of…
Media
Read More: Will the PA “Cost Cutting Commission” Cut Costs?Criminal Justice Reform
New PA Task Force on Prison Spending
Following testimony that inmates might riot if the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections didn’t a funding increase, the state House Appropriations Committee decided to create a task force to…
Media
Read More: New PA Task Force on Prison SpendingGovernment Accountability
Where has PA Stimulus Money Gone?
I’ve gotten a couple requests for information on where Pennsylvania’s stimulus money has gone. The Pennsylvania stimulus site is here. …
Media
Read More: Where has PA Stimulus Money Gone?State Budget
PA’s Biggest Porkers
Taxpayers for Common Sense has a new database on FY 2010 earmarks by Congress. As a state, Pennsylvania ranks 6th in value of earmarks, getting $366 million from 457…
Media
Read More: PA’s Biggest PorkersTaxes & Economy
Some Stimulating Numbers
On the one year anniversary of the “stimulus”, OpenMarket.org has some numbers on how well the stimulus has worked: * The unemployment rate has increased since the stimulus bill…
Media
Read More: Some Stimulating NumbersGovernment Accountability
The True Purpose of Lobbyist Disclosure
I have recently learned the true motives behind Pennsylvania’s recent lobbyist disclosure law — as I, and everyone else on staff who registered with the state as a lobbyist has…
Media
Read More: The True Purpose of Lobbyist DisclosureGovernment Accountability
Biennial Legislatures
NCSL has a new podcast discussing biennial legislatures – i.e. states where the General Assembly meets for a limited session every two years. There have been a handful of…
Media
Read More: Biennial LegislaturesHealth Care
Virginia Passes Health Care Freedom Act
The Virginia House of Representatives passed SB 417, sending it on to Gov. McDonnell, who is expected to sign it. The legislation would state, in defiance of health…
Media
Read More: Virginia Passes Health Care Freedom ActRegulation
Tracking the Bailout Money
Propublica has a good tool tracking all the money the federal government has given out in both the TARP bailout and the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Media
Read More: Tracking the Bailout MoneyRegulation
Government Pension Plans Facing Crisis in Many States
RiShawn Biddle has a good article at American Spectator on how public school pensions and health care benefits are a huge cost burden in many states. New Jersey is…
Media
Read More: Government Pension Plans Facing Crisis in Many StatesGovernment Accountability
The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators Back
State Rep. Frank Oliver announced he will be retiring at the end of his term. This retirement – along with those of Sen. Bob Mellow, Sen. Barry Stout, and…
Media
Read More: The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators BackRegulation
Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)
The lobbyist group Triad Strategies has a new blog focusing on Pennsylvania policy and politics, which features a recent post by George Wolff that calls for taxpayers to…
Media
Read More: Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Turnpike Already Hiring Consultants for I-80 Tolling
Toll Roads News reports that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is seeking bids for consultants for the conversion of the highway to a toll road. The four contracts would each…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Already Hiring Consultants for I-80 TollingTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansions Set to Star Wars
Here is a video listing the 74 items currently exempt from the Pennsylvania sales tax that Gov. Rendell has proposed taxing – set to the introduction of Star Wars…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansions Set to Star Wars