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
State Spending Binges
The latest Reason Magazine has a fine article on why state governments needed a bailout and why they will again – overspending. In 2002 the National…
Media
Read More: State Spending BingesTaxes & Economy
Tax Freedom Day 2009
Circle April 14th on your calendar this year as Tax Freedom Day for Pennsylvania. While tomorrow is the deadline for filing income tax forms, today is the day Pennsylvanians can…
Commentary
Read More: Tax Freedom Day 2009
Rendell Announces Property Tax “Relief”
Gov. Rendell today announced an estimated $770 million in property tax “relief” from slots revenue, or about $200 per homeowner. As always, I put “relief” in quotes because the…
Media
Read More: Rendell Announces Property Tax “Relief”Education
Are Lawmakers Considering “Other Options” on Scotland School?
Several state lawmakers and parents are protesting Governor Rendell’s proposed closing of Scotland School (HT GrassrootsPA) – a school ostensibly for children of veterans – claiming we must…
Media
Read More: Are Lawmakers Considering “Other Options” on Scotland School?Education
Are Lawmakers Considering “Other Options” on Scotland School?
Several state lawmakers and parents are protesting Governor Rendell’s proposed closing of Scotland School (HT GrassrootsPA) – a school ostensibly for children of veterans – claiming we must…
Media
Read More: Are Lawmakers Considering “Other Options” on Scotland School?Education
Charter Schools Always Face a Financial Struggle
Kevin Ferris has a piece in the Wall Street Journal on the difficulty that charter schools face funding their facilities. Ferris uses as his case study First Philadelphia Charter…
Media
Read More: Charter Schools Always Face a Financial StruggleHealth Care
Is Health Care a ‘Right’?
Many advocates of a single-payer, government run health care system use the argument that “health care is a right.” But as John Graham points out on State House Call,…
Media
Read More: Is Health Care a ‘Right’?Taxes & Economy
Thousands Attend Pittsburgh Tea Party
The Tribune Review reports that several thousand protesters showed up to the Pittsburgh Tea Party held today (HT GrassrootsPA). Instapundit has more, including a picture…
Media
Read More: Thousands Attend Pittsburgh Tea PartyRegulation
Pennsylvania Pie Fight
Wall Street Journal picks up on the fight over government regulation of homemade pies at church bake sales in Pennsylvania. My favorite part of the story is this:…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pie FightTaxes & Economy
Natural Gas Lease Falls Through – PA Loses $31 Million in Revenue (and Jobs)
The AP is reporting that a natural gas firm, previously agreeing to pay $31 million for a lease of lands in the Marcellus Shale formation, has backed out of…
Media
Read More: Natural Gas Lease Falls Through – PA Loses $31 Million in Revenue (and Jobs)Taxes & Economy
PA Earns 1 ‘A’, 12 ‘Fs’ on Taxpayer Organization Congressional Grades
The National Taxpayer’s Union (NTU) has released their annual report card for Congress for 2008, giving a record number of members the ignominious title “Big Spender”, including 12 members…
Media
Read More: PA Earns 1 ‘A’, 12 ‘Fs’ on Taxpayer Organization Congressional GradesTaxes & Economy
Which Tax Cuts Have Stimulated the Economy?
“‘We tried that, and it didn’t work,’ Obama and his partisans sneer in response to arguments that tax cuts are the key to restoring economic growth.” But as Peter…
Media
Read More: Which Tax Cuts Have Stimulated the Economy?Taxes & Economy
Video: Understanding The Financial Crisis
Great (and frightening) video from Stop Spending Our Future on the costs of “fixing” the financial crisis.
Media
Read More: Video: Understanding The Financial CrisisTaxes & Economy
Philadelphia Tries to Stop Tea Party
UPDATE: Victory ‘Thanks for everyone’s help in putting pressure on the city of Philadelphia! The problem has been resolved. They tea party is only required to pay for…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia Tries to Stop Tea Party
Former Manager Sues PA Turnpike Commission for Political Firing
A former manager for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is suing the agency for wrongful firing, claiming he was let go because of his lack of political connectaions, the Post-Gazette…
Media
Read More: Former Manager Sues PA Turnpike Commission for Political FiringEducation
Vouching for D.C.
A new report from the US Department of Education finds the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program has been extremely successful. Matthew Ladner has more in NRO on the reports…
Media
Read More: Vouching for D.C.Government Accountability
Pennsylvania’s Lawsuit Racket
The Wall Street Journal has a scathing piece on pay-to-play politics in Harrisburg, specifically in relation to Gov. Rendell and his ties to another law-firm (HT John Lott):…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Lawsuit RacketTaxes & Economy
Big Business Still Loves Big Government
HT to Joe Collins for pointing me to Timothy Carney’s article in the Washington Examiner. Despite the oft-repeated rhetoric that free market advocates are the puppets of big…
Media
Read More: Big Business Still Loves Big GovernmentRegulation
Federal Cigarette Tax Increase will Reduce PA Tax Collections by $140 Million
A new report from the Tax Foundation looks at the cost of the recent federal tax hike on cigarettes, an increase of 39 cents to $1.01 per pack, state…
Media
Read More: Federal Cigarette Tax Increase will Reduce PA Tax Collections by $140 MillionGovernment Accountability
PA House GOP Leader Offers Gov’t Reform Plan
Pennsylvania House Republican leader Sam Smith unveiled a 12-point government reform plan which he calls Pennsylvania’s Agenda for Trust in Harrisburg (PATH). The proposals are: No staff…
Media
Read More: PA House GOP Leader Offers Gov’t Reform PlanTaxes & Economy
Citizens Protest Taxes with Tea Parties
The Pittsburgh Tribune review has a story on Tea Parties going on in Pennsylvania, and specifically in Pittsburgh, which has upcoming events with Alan Keyes and Glen Meakem speaking. …
Media
Read More: Citizens Protest Taxes with Tea Parties