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
Shovel Ready?
In discussion of a “stimulus” plan/bailout of state and local governments, a lot of has been made of funding “shovel ready” projects – thus leading to governors and mayors putting…
Media
Read More: Shovel Ready?Taxes & Economy
New $95,000 job created for ousted PA lawmaker – during hiring freeze
Despite a state hiring freeze, and an $814 million revenue shortfall, Governor Rendell has created a new position – paying $95,002 annually – for former state representative…
Media
Read More: New $95,000 job created for ousted PA lawmaker – during hiring freezeRegulation
Kicking and screaming over soccer stadium
Delware County Councilman Andy Lewis is fighting against taxpayer funding for the proposed soccer stadium in Chester, noting (among other things) that Major League Soccer might go under, leaving…
Media
Read More: Kicking and screaming over soccer stadiumTaxes & Economy
Stimu-less
Lots of good explanation of why a federal “economic stimulus” is likely to fail. The Heritage Foundation has the “Do’s and Don’ts of an Economic Stimulus” – unfortunately all…
Media
Read More: Stimu-lessTaxes & Economy
We spent taxpayer money on this #@!$?
Suppose you were faced with a major revenue shorfall and had to prioritize spending. Would you: 1) Give employees their promised raises or2) Produce a website/video…
Media
Read More: We spent taxpayer money on this #@!$?State Budget
The façade of Pennsylvania’a state budget
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a story on how state taxpayer funding is available for business façades. The real façade is that the state budget is “cut to the…
Media
Read More: The façade of Pennsylvania’a state budgetHealth Care
What Medicaid Tells Us About Government Health Care
In the Wall Street Journal, Scott Gottlieb notes the poor performance of Medicaid, and wonders why President-elect Obama (or Governor Rendell) would want to expand on such a…
Media
Read More: What Medicaid Tells Us About Government Health CareEducation
Remembering Paul Henkels
Paul Henckels, chaiman of the REACH Foundation and a leader in the school choice movement in Pennsylvania, passed away late last week. Please find the news release from…
Media
Read More: Remembering Paul HenkelsTaxes & Economy
Movin’ Out of Pennsylvania in 2008
United Van Lines has released their 2008 migration study, detailing shipments into and out of each state. Pennsylvania saw 58% of movement leaving the state, ranking as the…
Media
Read More: Movin’ Out of Pennsylvania in 2008Education
School district consolidation unlikely to cut cost
Over at School Board Transparency blog, Fred Baldwin writes that consolidating school districts (to county wide districts) is unlikely to result in substantial cost savings – that is…
Media
Read More: School district consolidation unlikely to cut costEducation
Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt Students
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article covers how the Pittsburgh Public Schools administration is trying to defend its policy of a 50% minimum grade (HT GrassrootsPA), But…
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Read More: Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt StudentsTaxes & Economy
More on the Porn Bailout
As mentioned here yesterday, the Porn Industry (led by Hustler’s Larry Flynt and Girl’s Gone Wild‘s Joe Francis) is seeking a federal bailout. I’m not sure if they are…
Media
Read More: More on the Porn BailoutState Budget
Rendell, Legislature have left a fiscal mess in Pennsylvania
Tony Phyrillas has an excellent editorial on the state budget deficit and the history of recent overspending by Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Media
Read More: Rendell, Legislature have left a fiscal mess in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Bailout for the Porn Industry?
I knew this was coming: Porn industry seeks federal bailout. The Internet and globalization have hit Penthouse and Girls Gone Wild Pretty brands…
Media
Read More: Bailout for the Porn Industry?Taxes & Economy
Talking economics
The podcast from yesterday’s Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio with Matt Brouillette features discussion of a federal bailout of the states, “economic stimulus”, and Pennsylvania’s budget crunch. Full Program…
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Read More: Talking economicsTaxes & Economy
Economists against a “stimulus”
Even though the Obama administration claims all economists recognize the inherent brilliance of a proposed economic stimulus (which includes a bailout of the states, “infrastructure” spend, and “rebate” checks…
Media
Read More: Economists against a “stimulus”Government Accountability
Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expected
In our latest Pennsylvania Deficit Watch update, we take a look at the current state revenue shortfall, noting Governor Rendell’s revised estimate of a $1.6 Billion shorftall for…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expectedGovernment Accountability
Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”
As new legislators are coming to Harrisburg to be sworn in, Brad Bumsted reports that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have spent $1 million in legal fees (despite the number…
Media
Read More: Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”Government Accountability
Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?
From the “News of the Weird” (that is the Patriot News local section) is the report that bobblehead’s of Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed are being sold for $75 apiece…
Media
Read More: Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?Education
Human Capital Contracts: The Future of Higher Ed Funding?
National Center for Policy Analysis summarize the idea of “human capital contracts” to finance student’s higher education costs. Essentially these contracts constitute agreeing to pay a set percentage of…
Media
Read More: Human Capital Contracts: The Future of Higher Ed Funding?
Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls up 25%
Drivers are waking up to higher tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike this week – a 25% increase in tolls went into effect Sunday. Some of the news stories are…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls up 25%