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.”
State Budget
We Can’t Spend Our Way to Prosperity
John Stossel has an op-ed up on the pork-laden “stimulus” package: President Obama has vowed that no earmarks — special appropriations to benefit particular congressmen — will…
Media
Read More: We Can’t Spend Our Way to ProsperityState Budget
Cronyism Undermines Cargo Airport
It appears the Hazleton Airport project is now dead in the water, after Rep. Todd Eachus (the local sponsor and now Majority Leader) has dropped his support after…
Media
Read More: Cronyism Undermines Cargo AirportEducation
PA Budget Proposals: Cut the Fat, Play Poker
Sen. John Eichelberger unveiled a proposal today to issue a moratorium on “earmarks”, the legislative-controlled WAMs and other items. The proposal also calls for a review of all…
Media
Read More: PA Budget Proposals: Cut the Fat, Play PokerHealth Care
Try to Reform Health Care
The Senate Republican’s unveiled their caucus’s plan on health care, which is largely the same as they had last year, and thus my criticism of that plan still…
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Read More: Try to Reform Health CareState Budget
Even more reasons to oppose the stimulus
NTU’s blog has a long list (via Tom Coburn) of wasteful spending and bad policy in the federal “stimulus” bill, including: $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen,…
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Read More: Even more reasons to oppose the stimulusTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Revenue Shortfall Climbs
The PA Department of Revenue released the January Revenue Collections this afternoon. We’ll have the full “Deficit Watch” up on the website tomorrow, but here are the quick…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Revenue Shortfall ClimbsEducation
Overspending Schools Don’t Need More Taxpayer Funding
NYTimes article (registration required) looks at how much of the federal “stimulus” money would go to school spending, particularly for school construction. Critics and supporters alike…
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Read More: Overspending Schools Don’t Need More Taxpayer FundingTaxes & Economy
Should government get bigger, or smaller?
Richard Rahn has a commentary for the Cato Institute on the “optimal size of government”. He takes the premise that we need some level of government (to protect our…
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Read More: Should government get bigger, or smaller?Taxes & Economy
501 added to Pa. payroll since state hiring freeze
AP story on the 501 employees hired since the hiring freeze, including several over $100,000 (former legislator Dan Surra, for whom a new $95,000 position was created, just missed…
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Read More: 501 added to Pa. payroll since state hiring freezeTaxes & Economy
The Super Bowl (Economic Version): Phoenix vs. Pittsburgh
Harold Miller has an interesting blog post, featuring a few graphs, comparing the economic growth of the Pittsburgh region to the Phoenix region – the two hometowns for tonight’s…
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Read More: The Super Bowl (Economic Version): Phoenix vs. PittsburghRegulation
PA Judge Overturns State Mercury Rule
A Pennsylvania judge ruled that a state-specific regulation on mercury emissions (one that was put into place by the Department of Environmental Protection over the objections of many…
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Read More: PA Judge Overturns State Mercury RuleHealth Care
Stimulating Government
The Galen Institute has a new analysis of health care proposal in the propose “economic stimulus”, specifically proposals moving toward greater federalization of health care, which has indeed been…
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Read More: Stimulating GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Rendell previews budget plan
The Altoona Mirror has a good summary of things to expect when Governor Rendell unveils the budget next week. The problems of a poor economy are compounded by…
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Read More: Rendell previews budget plan
Pennsylvania Auditor Finds Millions Wasted in Medicaid
Auditor General Jack Wagner has a new finding that $3.3 million was spend on Medicaid benefits for those inelligible (HT Tony Phyrillas). That $3.3 million figure (on 1,648…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Auditor Finds Millions Wasted in MedicaidTaxes & Economy
PA Business Groups Offer Budget Ideas
A coalition of business association and groups unveiled their recommendations for reforming Pennsylvania’s budget process and improving the business climate: Oppose increasing taxes on the job creators, including…
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Read More: PA Business Groups Offer Budget IdeasTaxes & Economy
Layoffs coming for Pennsylvania state workers?
Governor Rendell’s latest statements about the state budget are that 1,000 to 2,000 state workers could be laid off (or have unfilled positions eliminated). The head of the AFSCME…
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Read More: Layoffs coming for Pennsylvania state workers?Regulation
Endorsement for Pension Reform
The Courier Expess expresses support for moving Pennsylvania state and school district employees to a 401(k) model defined contribution retirement plan. Specifically, they mention the proposal put forth…
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Read More: Endorsement for Pension ReformTaxes & Economy
200 Economists Against a Stimulus
In defiance of President Obama’s proclamation that every agrees we need more government spending to “simulate” the economy, the Cato Institute has put together a list of 200 economists…
Media
Read More: 200 Economists Against a Stimulus
Bailout For The ‘Inquirer’?
Chris Freind interviews Chuck Ardo, spokesman for Governor Rendell, on the rumors of a bailout for the Philadelphia Inquirer. (HT GrassrootsPA). Ardo seems oblivious to the idea that…
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Read More: Bailout For The ‘Inquirer’?Public Union Democracy
Putting Taxpayers First?
A group of Pennsylvania House Republicans today announced a series of proposals intended to reduce government spending and revitalize the Pennsylvania economy. Among the proposals: Implementing constitutional or statutory…
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Read More: Putting Taxpayers First?Taxes & Economy
Stimulus: Good For Government, Bad For the Economy
This video by Dan Mitchell on the stimulus offers a quick primer on the “stimulus” package, and why government spending will fail – and why previous expansions of government…
Media
Read More: Stimulus: Good For Government, Bad For the Economy