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.”
Taxes & Economy
Rich State, Poor State
ALEC has released the 2nd edition of their Economic Competitiveness Index – Rich States, Poor States – which looks at which policies drive economic growth among states, and which…
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Live from the PA Leadership Conference
The Commonwealth Foundation will be at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference this weekend. For those unable to attend, much of the events will air on PCN TV . The…
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Read More: Live from the PA Leadership ConferenceGovernment Accountability
“Full-Time” Lawmakers Earn Plenty of Outside Income
Team 4 Reports uncovers that Pennsylvania legislators, who earn about $80,000 per year in salary for their full-time job, also earn plenty of outside income (HT Grassroots PA).
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Demint on Charity
Jim Demint gives some great remarks on why government cannot, and should not, force individuals to be more charitable and volunteer more. More Reading on Charity and Government…
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Tea Parties in Pennsylvania
In conjunction with the Tax Day Tea Party Movement, the Commonwealth Foundation is organizing another Harrisburg Tea Party, to be held on the Capitol Steps at noon on…
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Read More: Tea Parties in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced additional charges against former Rep. Mike Veon and staffer Annamarie Peretta-Rosepink for their role in directing state funds to the Beaver Initiative…
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Read More: Veon Fallout: An End to WAMsGovernment Accountability
Do Campaign Finance Laws Authorize Banning Books?
From the Las Vegas Review Journal: Astonishingly, Malcom Stewart, deputy solicitor general of the United States, replied in the affirmative “if the book contained the functional equivalent of express…
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Read More: Do Campaign Finance Laws Authorize Banning Books?Taxes & Economy
Bush vs, Obama Deficit in Picture
Here is a frightening picture of the projected federal deficit, courtesy the Heritage Foundation. They go on to comment…
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Read More: Bush vs, Obama Deficit in PictureGovernment Accountability
Tea Party Food Drive
Our office is abuzz with preparations for the Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party. We can’t wait to see you all on April 15th! We wanted to let you know…
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Read More: Tea Party Food DrivePublic Union Democracy
Sen. Specter’s Comments on “Card Check”
Senator Arlen Specter made news yesterday by saying he would not vote for “card check” because of both the elimination of the secret ballot and the bind arbitration provisions.
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Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike Lease
The Pew Center on the States has a new report out offering lessons to Pennsylvania and other states on the proposed deal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike (full…
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Read More: Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike LeaseHealth Care
A Bad Deal on Health Care
This AP story reports that AHIP and Blue Cross Blue Shield are willing to “compromise” on health care reform – ending the practice of “charging higher premiums to…
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Read More: A Bad Deal on Health CareRegulation
State Regulation of Bake Sales Goes Too Far
Hat Tip to Tom Shaheen of the PA Family Institute for this story of the weird/big government. It turns out that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been…
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Read More: State Regulation of Bake Sales Goes Too FarTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…
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Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic RankingTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…
Media
Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic RankingGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo
ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…
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Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend FumoTaxes & Economy
Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike
Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP. Toll Roads News…
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Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike
Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP. Toll Roads News…
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Read More: Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania TurnpikeRegulation
No “Property Tax Relief” This Year?
Sharon Smith writes that the slots taxes may not generate enough revenue to trigger property relief this year. By law, the Property Tax Relief Fund must have $570 million…
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Spending Under President George W. Bush
The Mercatus Center has a final analysis of spending under the Bush presidency – including the growth in spending, comparisons to Clinton and previous spender, pork projects, and growth…
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Read More: Spending Under President George W. BushEducation
Bailouts and Bull
John Stossel’s latest 20/20 special on bailouts and bull debunks numerous big-government myths, including the bailout mentality. Stosell also tackles toll road privatization, universal Pre-K, medical marijuana, the border…
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