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.”
Government Accountability
Full Time Legislator, Part Time County Councilman?!?
Capitolwire (subscription) is reporting that State Representative Mario Civera (R- Delaware), who was recently elected to the Delaware County Council, is now rethinking resigning, and planning both to stay…
Media
Read More: Full Time Legislator, Part Time County Councilman?!?Government Accountability
Pennsylvania Spending Transparency Moves a Step Forward
The Pennsylvania House State Government Committee advanced HB 1880, sponsored by Representative Rick Mirabito, that would create an online database of state spending, similar to legislation already enacted…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Spending Transparency Moves a Step ForwardHealth Care
Why Health Care “Reform” Could Increase the Number Uninsured
Marty Feldstein has an editorial in the Washington Post detailing how the current health care reform proposals in Congress could actually increase the number of uninsured individuals. Namely, he…
Media
Read More: Why Health Care “Reform” Could Increase the Number UninsuredPublic Union Democracy
If Your Erection Lasts Longer than a SEPTA Strike …
Alex Charyna points out this tidbit in the Philadelphia Daily News – one demand of the SEPTA union was more Viagra: Yes, it appears that labor issues…
Media
Read More: If Your Erection Lasts Longer than a SEPTA Strike …Regulation
Worst Idea for Fixing State Pensions
Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord told the Pocono Record that now is the time to address the state pension crisis, rather than later, a point the Commonwealth Foundation agrees…
Media
Read More: Worst Idea for Fixing State PensionsTaxes & Economy
A Brilliant Idea to Balance Cities’ Budget
The city of Harrisburg is hiring a consultant to give some tips to balance its budget, ABC 27 reports. Lancaster, PA hired the same firm a few years ago…
Media
Read More: A Brilliant Idea to Balance Cities’ BudgetGovernment Accountability
Big Government Leads to Big Lobbying
The Philadelphia Inquirer has a story today that Pennsylvania business groups – especially in natural gas, tobacco, and gambling industries – spent a lot of money lobbying during the…
Media
Read More: Big Government Leads to Big LobbyingRegulation
Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store Privatization
Following our report showing that moving from state-run liquor stores to licensure has little impact on alcohol consumption, underage drinking, and DUI rates, Pennsylvania papers are again joining the…
Media
Read More: Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store PrivatizationGovernment Accountability
Bonusgate Developments and Senate Reforms
Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette notes that the Pennsylvania Senate is outlining a number of new rules, largely related to legislative staff and taxpayer dollars being used to support…
Media
Read More: Bonusgate Developments and Senate ReformsTaxes & Economy
V and American Politics
While attending a conference in North Carolina, and staying in the same room Yogi Berra did (though not on the same night), Joe Sterns and I caught the premier…
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Read More: V and American PoliticsHealth Care
Guide to Pelosi-Care
The Heritage Foundation has some resources on the latest health care bill being pushed by US House Democrats, including a summary of the legislation, and the full…
Media
Read More: Guide to Pelosi-CareState Budget
Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall Short
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released October revenue collections. Once again, the numbers fell short of projections – the state is now $160 short of estimate for the fiscal…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall ShortTaxes & Economy
How Valuable is I-80 Tolling?
When the Federal Highway Administration rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s proposal to toll I-80, one of the numerous reasons was there had been no…
Media
Read More: How Valuable is I-80 Tolling?Taxes & Economy
Taxpayers Flee High Tax States
Our friends at the Empire Center for New York State Policy has a new report on the “exodus” of residents from New York to other states. The report is…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Flee High Tax StatesGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
Here are some recent CF mentions in the blogosphere. Reason Out-of-Control notes many of the same concerns we have with giving the Turnpike Commission carte blanche to toll I-80…
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Read More: CF Blog Roundup
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Raided by FBI?
Toll Roads News is reporting that the FBI has raided the PA Turnpike Commission, seizing computers and records (HT Capitol Ideas) We’re informed the FBI “raid” comprised three…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Raided by FBI?Regulation
Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket
If you missed our RE Harper Economic Forums on pensions, here is an online version of Rick Dreyfuss’s presentation. You should also check out related articles on “…
Media
Read More: Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will SkyrocketRegulation
Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net Neutrality
Gov. Rendell recently submitted a Letter to the FCC expressing concerns with proposed Internet regulation known as “Net Neutrality.” This was part of the…
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Read More: Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net NeutralityHealth Care
Is Mackey Wacky?
In August, John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, penned a Wall Street Journal piece outlining his ideas for health care reform – these include equalizing the tax code, interstate…
Media
Read More: Is Mackey Wacky?Taxes & Economy
Coburn vs. Levy on Funding Political Science
In the American, Philip Levy of the American Enterprise Institute defends federal funding of political science research against charges that it represents wasteful spending from Sen. Tom Coburn. As…
Media
Read More: Coburn vs. Levy on Funding Political ScienceHealth Care
Government Health Care Still Kills
A couple of PA state legislators have recently cited a recent Harvard study to make the claim that thousands “are dying because of a lack of insurance”…
Media
Read More: Government Health Care Still Kills