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.”
State 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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls up 25%Regulation
Downsize the Federal Government
Cato Institute video on “Downsizing the Federal Government” starting with the US Department of Agriculture. If, like me, you thought that the Dept. of Agriculture was a relatively small…
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Read More: Downsize the Federal GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Is Christmas bad for the Economy?
Readers who are spending this week returning gifts they don’t really want – or those who think Wal-Mart playing Jingle…
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Read More: Is Christmas bad for the Economy?Regulation
Snyder County refuses Boscov’s Bailout
Officials in Snyder County are refusing to back a loan as part of the Boscov’s Bailout – even though Pennsylvania officials are pressuring them to do so, arguing…
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Read More: Snyder County refuses Boscov’s BailoutRegulation
The Year in Bans
Reason TV video looks at the latest examples of the Nanny State Mentality, highlighting some of the many things banned in 2008.
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Read More: The Year in BansTaxes & Economy
When has an “economic stimulus” ever worked?
The Club for Growth recently put out a statement opposing a federal “economic stimulus” plan, like that currently being pushed by the incoming administration (and lobbied for by…
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Read More: When has an “economic stimulus” ever worked?Taxes & Economy
Residents Still “Movin Out” of Pennsylvania
The Census Bureau released the latest annual population estimates. The trends for Pennsylvania remain much the same: Pennsylvania grew by 0.2% between July 2007 and July 2008 – ranking…
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Read More: Residents Still “Movin Out” of PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Taxpayer Funded Lobbying and the Growth of Government
Americans for Prosperity has a new analysis of taxpayer-funded lobbying of the federal government. I don’t want to point out the obvious, but this taxpayer-funded lobbying is almost all…
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Read More: Taxpayer Funded Lobbying and the Growth of GovernmentEducation
Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher walkouts
The Wall Street Journal features an article on teacher strikes in Pennsylvania, noting that the Keystone State leads the nation in school employees strikes. The piece cites a…
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Read More: Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher walkoutsRegulation
Taxpayers helping millionaires
Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed celebrates the end of a long-standing tradition of sending taxpayers money to sports stadiums in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia – or rather, the extension of that tradition…
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Read More: Taxpayers helping millionairesRegulation
Ed Rendell and Rosie O’Donnell
Q: What do Governor Ed Rendell and Rosie O’Donnell have in common (hint: it has nothing to do with food)? A: They have both gotten on Donald Trump’s bad side.
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Read More: Ed Rendell and Rosie O’DonnellTaxes & Economy
Corporatism vs. Socialism vs. Free Markets
As President Bush announces a revised bailout for automakers, David Boaz examines the policies of Bush and proposals of Obama and concludes neither is a “socialist”, but neither…
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Read More: Corporatism vs. Socialism vs. Free MarketsRegulation
Lemieux: “Pennsylvania Taxpayers are Suckers”
This is somewhat old news, but its new to me: Mario Lemieux admitted in August that he never thought of moving the Pittsburgh Penguins, but was still able to…
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Read More: Lemieux: “Pennsylvania Taxpayers are Suckers”