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.”
State 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…
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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…
Media
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…
Media
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 KillsState Budget
Yes, We Really Do Mistrust Lawmakers
Gerald Prante of the Tax Foundation raises a philosophical question about state spending limits. Namely he wonders, if we don’t trust how legislators spend money now – a…
Media
Read More: Yes, We Really Do Mistrust LawmakersGovernment Accountability
Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State Taxpayers
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner issued a scathing rebuke of the Rendell administration’s use of no-bid contracts, specifically in relation to over a half-billion dollars given to Deloitte for…
Media
Read More: Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State TaxpayersTaxes & Economy
ACORN Sting in Philadelphia
BigGovernment.com has released their video from Philadelphia’s ACORN office from July 24. As in other videos, ACORN Philadelphia provided advice to the fake pimp and prostitute for what sort…
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Read More: ACORN Sting in PhiladelphiaState Budget
PA Business Survey: Bad Budget Deal
The Lincoln Institute released its Fall Business Climate Survey for Pennsylvania (mostly surveying small business owners). Click here for results and here for a summary of findings. Not…
Media
Read More: PA Business Survey: Bad Budget DealGovernment Accountability
Common Sense on Legislative Size
Paul Jacob’s latest “Common Sense” deals with the size of the Pennsylvania Legislature. Jacob advises: [D]on’t cut the size of the legislature. But by all means cut the…
Media
Read More: Common Sense on Legislative SizePublic Union Democracy
Political Power of Public Sector Unions
The Weekly Standard has a good piece on the growing political power of public sector unions, with a short history lesson, and many of the consequences (e.g.
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Read More: Political Power of Public Sector UnionsTaxes & Economy
Map of State and Local Sales Tax Rates
The Tax Foundation has a new map showing sales tax rates by state – including both the state rate and the average local rate. With the local included, Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Map of State and Local Sales Tax RatesHealth Care
Health Care “Facts” Disputed
Michael Cannon and Ramesh Ponnuru have an editorial challenging the assertions of Obama on health care. The article came out a few weeks ago, and specifically cites claims made…
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Read More: Health Care “Facts” DisputedState Budget
Facts About Spending Limits from Colorado
Voters in Maine will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum limiting state spending and tax increases. The Maine Heritage Policy Center released a new paper offering…
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Read More: Facts About Spending Limits from ColoradoTaxes & Economy
Job Losses in Pennsylvania Counties
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released data on county employment and wages today. It is a little dated (March 2009) relative to national data, but does offer a profile…
Media
Read More: Job Losses in Pennsylvania CountiesHealth Care
Canadians Speak Out Against Government-Run Health Care
Our friends at the Mackinac Center have a series of videos on Canadian health care with regular Canadians discussing the problems with government-run health coverage. (HT to Carpe…
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Read More: Canadians Speak Out Against Government-Run Health Care