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.”
Government Accountability
Report Voter Fraud, Win Money
The Sam Adams Alliance is holding a video contest to raise public awareness in election fraud and prevent it from occurring. Click here for details. While…
Media
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Should PA taxpayers be subsidizing Hollywood?
Lowman Henry weighs in on the $5.7 million tax credit awarded by Pennsylvania taxpayers to the raunchy comedy, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Henry thinks…
Media
Read More: Should PA taxpayers be subsidizing Hollywood?Taxes & Economy
The Age of Prosperity Is Over
Art Laffer in today’s Wall Street Journal on how the bailout mentality is bad news for our economy: Whenever the government bails someone out of trouble, they always…
Media
Read More: The Age of Prosperity Is OverGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Is Driving Its Doctors Away
Frederic Jarrett – a Pittsburgh doctor – editorializes in the Wall Street Journal as to how Governor Rendell is pushing doctors out a Pennsylvania by holding MCare abatement (a…
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Read More: Pennsylvania Is Driving Its Doctors AwayTaxes & Economy
Where has all the money for bridges gone?
A Heritage Foundation analysis finds that the federal government has given more money to state for bridge repair than states are actually using, with a special mention of Pennsylvania:…
Media
Read More: Where has all the money for bridges gone?Education
Will Pa. graduation exams improve public education?
Cross-posted at Capitol Domes Gov. Rendell has been pushing the idea of a statewide graduation requirement that all students pass a test (his latest gives one of…
Media
Read More: Will Pa. graduation exams improve public education?Taxes & Economy
Beyond the Bailout
The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) have a new website: BeyondBailouts.org. The site is dedicated to exposing the government’s role in creating…
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Read More: Beyond the BailoutGovernment Accountability
One rotten Acorn?
GrassrootsPA has a roundup of stories on the Philadelphia man, working with ACORN, who was charged with 108 counts related to forgery and fraud in voter registration. In the…
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Read More: One rotten Acorn?Regulation
No Smoking Sign Mandate
Little noticed in the debate over Pennsylvania’s new smoking ban was that it also included a smoking sign mandate. The Commonwealth Foundation got our notice (along with a…
Media
Read More: No Smoking Sign MandateTaxes & Economy
Cutting corporate taxes
When critics of the US (and Pennsylvania’s) corporate tax structure – like the NCPA, Tax Foundation, and Commonwealth Foundation – point out that the US (and Pennsylvania)…
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Read More: Cutting corporate taxesEducation
Forced Unionism and Teacher Strikes
Video from the National Right to Work Foundation featuring Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes…
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Read More: Forced Unionism and Teacher StrikesTaxes & Economy
Is the Credit Crunch a Big Lie?
A short research paper from three economists from the Federal Reserve of Minneapolis find that the so-called credit crunch, which led to the bailout, was based on a number…
Media
Read More: Is the Credit Crunch a Big Lie?Government Accountability
Another claim that Pennsylvania is full of racists
First, Ed Rendell claimed that racist, conservative whites wouldn’t vote for Obama (just like they didn’t support Lynn Swann). Then Daily News columnist Fatimah Ali declared their would…
Media
Read More: Another claim that Pennsylvania is full of racistsGovernment Accountability
Campaign Finance Reform: Fool’s Gold
Imagine if George W. Bush would declare that, as part of the war on terrorism, he proposed the Patriot Act II, which would grant the federal government power to collect…
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Read More: Campaign Finance Reform: Fool’s GoldGovernment Accountability
Please Spare us from a “Professional” Legislature
John LaPlante editorializes that states (Minnesota) should avoid the “professional legislature” model (e.g. Pennsylvania): The personal dynamics in professional legislatures also favor increased spending. Professional legislatures offer…
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Read More: Please Spare us from a “Professional” LegislatureTaxes & Economy
Political Incorrect Guide to Politics
John Stossel’s latest special on those running for office who think government (or they) can save the world is a must watch. Stossel outlines the failure of government, and…
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Read More: Political Incorrect Guide to PoliticsTaxes & Economy
Governor Rendell earns a D
The Cato Institute gives Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell a “D” on its Fiscal Report Card of the Governors. In 2004, Governor Rendell pushed through a $1.5…
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Read More: Governor Rendell earns a DHealth Care
Hawaii drops universal health care for kids, cites “crowd out”
Hawaii is dropping its “universal” health care program for children, in part because it is too costly (particularly given a budget crunch), but also because of the trend know…
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Read More: Hawaii drops universal health care for kids, cites “crowd out”Taxes & Economy
State budget must be cut
The Citizens’ Voice has an editorial calling for state budget cuts giving the current crunch in the Pennsylvania state budget. Meanwhile, Gib Armstrong and other lawmakers continue…
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Read More: State budget must be cutRegulation
Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensing
“Joe the Plumber” has made lots of headlines – since he put the screws to Barack Obama about how Obama’s tax increases might affect him – but this…
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Read More: Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensingRegulation
Zack and Miri Take a Fortune
The City of Philadelphia has refused to allow posters for Zack and Miri Make a Porno on bus stops because they are deemed too seedy. (Hat Tip to…
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