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.”
Education
Calls to Action on Protecting School Choice in Pennsylvania
As reported earlier, the tax bill put out by Pennsylvania House Democrats would cut the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit by…
Media
Read More: Calls to Action on Protecting School Choice in PennsylvaniaState Budget
What’s in the PA House Democrats Tax Bill?
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee approved a “gut-and-replace” amendment to HB 1531 – which had previously been a bill to extend tax relief for military families – which…
Media
Read More: What’s in the PA House Democrats Tax Bill?State Budget
Pennsylvania Revenue Collections Fall Short Again
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released their revenue estimates for September. The collections were $119 million below estimates for the month, and $300 million less than collected one year…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Revenue Collections Fall Short AgainTaxes & Economy
Tax Cuts, Not Government Spending, Good for Economic Growth
There is a good piece in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal on the effect of government spending on economic growth. The conclusion is that government spending does not “stimulate” the…
Media
Read More: Tax Cuts, Not Government Spending, Good for Economic GrowthRegulation
Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money
There have been countless examples of failed corporate welfare under Governor Rendell, and Governor Ridge before him. The latest example coming from Lebanon, PA: Lebanon Daily News, August 14,…
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Read More: Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer MoneyState Budget
Governing “Responsibly”
Lowman Henry has another good commentary on the Pennsylvania state budget “deal” over at PA Town Hall: I find it interesting that when Democrats stick to…
Media
Read More: Governing “Responsibly”State Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Deal Appears Dead
The news service Capitolwire (subscribers only) is reporting that PA House Democrat leaders are admitting they don’t have enough votes to pass the state budget deal, give all of…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Deal Appears DeadState Budget
An Honest Budget Debate
Gov. Rendell and many lawmakers continue to push higher taxes in Pennsylvania, using the rhetoric that if we don’t, students won’t learn,…
Media
Read More: An Honest Budget DebateHealth Care
States to Challenge Individual Mandate
The New York Times has a story on state legislators pushing back against the individual mandate that could be a part of health care reform. Health Care Horse…
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Read More: States to Challenge Individual Mandate
Property Taxes by State
The Tax Foundation put out a new map of property taxes by state for owner-occupied homes. Pennsylvania ranks 11th highest, with the average tax rate of 1.34% of home…
Media
Read More: Property Taxes by StateEducation
Is Gov. Rendell “for the Kids” at All?
On Friday, the REACH Foundation hosted a rally at the state capitol in defense of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which…
Media
Read More: Is Gov. Rendell “for the Kids” at All?State Budget
PA Budget Deal Undone?
It would seem that the reported Pennsylvania state budget ‘deal’ is in jeopardy: GrassrootsPA reports at least 5 Senate Republicans will…
Media
Read More: PA Budget Deal Undone?Government Accountability
Weekly Blog Roundup
Here are some of the latest bloggers citing Commonwealth Foundation work: PA Water Cooler highlights our look into how much state money ACORN is getting and on Matt Brouillette’s…
Media
Read More: Weekly Blog RoundupState Budget
PA Budget Impasse Can’t Stop Another Million Dollar Consulting Deal
John Micek of the Morning Call reports that the Pennsylvania state Treasurer has awarded a $928,000 consulting contract for marketing of the prepaid college tuition program – a program…
Media
Read More: PA Budget Impasse Can’t Stop Another Million Dollar Consulting DealTaxes & Economy
Two New State Business Climate Rankings
The Tax Foundation released their updated State Business Tax Climate Index for FY 2010. In the latest rendition, Pennsylvania ranks 27th overall. Broken down by category the Keystone State…
Media
Read More: Two New State Business Climate RankingsState Budget
Higher Taxes to Buy More Nintendo Wii’s?
A PA House GOP staffer dug up this little item of pork barrel spending, courtesy State Representative Jesse White: The Wii challenge came about after I helped…
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Read More: Higher Taxes to Buy More Nintendo Wii’s?Health Care
More Health Care Lessons from Massachusetts
My colleague Joe Sterns sent me an article, in which Mitt Romney again declares Massachusetts health care reform a success, claiming the increase in taxpayer spending was “only” $700…
Media
Read More: More Health Care Lessons from MassachusettsGovernment Accountability
The Continuing Saga of Corruption and Patronage in Pennsylvania
Another of former Senator Fumo’s aides was indicted yesterday, for taking contracts from the Pennsylvania Senate, but doing no work – except favors to Sen. Fumo. Of course, Palermo…
Media
Read More: The Continuing Saga of Corruption and Patronage in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
How did the PA Budget Process Get So Broken?
Dale Davenport had an excellent editorial in the Patriot over the weekend, noting how annual budgeting and the move to a full-time, professional legislature altereed Pennsylvania’s state budget forever: …
Media
Read More: How did the PA Budget Process Get So Broken?State Budget
Understanding the Single Sales Factor
Philly.com Blogger Ben Waxman has a post about moving Pennsylvania to a single-sales factor on corporate income taxes, calling it a “big tax break for corporations”, based on…
Media
Read More: Understanding the Single Sales FactorState Budget
Stupid Quote of the Day
Sen. Jake Corman tells the Associated Press that a proposal to charge the sales tax to performing arts and museums is a “user fee”: A plan to extend…
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Read More: Stupid Quote of the Day