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.”
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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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Read More: Zack and Miri Take a FortuneState Budget
Earmark searches made easy
The Seattle Times has a great tool for searching earmarks. Not only can you find defense earmarks for each member of Congress, but they also report campaign contributions from…
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Read More: Earmark searches made easyTaxes & Economy
Hugo Chavez: Bush is sociailist “comrade”
Cato-at-liberty notes that Venezuelan would-be-dictator Hugo Chavez has welcomed President Bush into the socialist movement: Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez mocked George W. Bush as a “comrade” on…
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Read More: Hugo Chavez: Bush is sociailist “comrade”Health Care
The Great Health Care Debate
Bob Moffit of Heritage writes that we are at a crossroads in health care in term of the difference between McCain and Obama’s proposals. The Commonwealth Foundation has said…
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Read More: The Great Health Care DebateTaxes & Economy
“The Great Depression II”
As most movie sequels are dwarfed by the original, so too does the rhetoric about the US sitting on the precipice of “another Great Depression” over-hype the current situation, and…
Media
Read More: “The Great Depression II”State Budget
Capitol Domes: Fiscal Cliff Ahead
The Central Penn Business Journal launched Capitol Domes today (subscribe to the feed here), a new blog featuring Matt Brouillette and Rock the Capital’s Eric Epstein. Brouillette’s…
Media
Read More: Capitol Domes: Fiscal Cliff AheadGovernment Accountability
Heritage on ACORN
The Heritage Foundation has a post today giving an informative primer on ACORN and how it gets it money.
Media
Read More: Heritage on ACORNTaxes & Economy
The Case for Corporate Tax Cuts
The NCPA has a short primer on why the US (and Pennsylvania) should cut corporate tax rates. The US has the 2nd highest (to Japan) combined corporate tax rate. …
Media
Read More: The Case for Corporate Tax CutsGovernment Accountability
Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN
Our sister think tank in Ohio has filed a RICO suit (i.e. for organized crime) against ACORN for voter fraud. The full complaint is here. Since stories…
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Read More: Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN
Anatomy of a Train Wreck
The Independent Institute has a new report on the causes of the mortgage meltdown: This report concludes that, in an attempt to increase home ownership, particularly by…
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Read More: Anatomy of a Train WreckTaxes & Economy
Business Owners: Economy and elected officials are bad, drilling and nuclear power needed
The Lincoln Institute has release their Fall 2008 Keystone Business Climate Survey covering a range of business and political issues. Some of the more interesting findings: Almost…
Media
Read More: Business Owners: Economy and elected officials are bad, drilling and nuclear power neededGovernment Accountability
Why Americans love term limits
Howard Rich, head of the pro-term limit group U.S. Term Limits, has an op-ed in the USA TODAY on why term limits are popular, except among legislators.
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Read More: Why Americans love term limitsHealth Care
Where will Canadians go for health care?
A Canadian commented on a previous post that – even though he had to come to the US to receive health care – the Canadian system is better because…
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Read More: Where will Canadians go for health care?