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.”
Taxes & Economy
Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructure
Patriot News editorial notes that the proposed Turnpike lease deal would make PA a model for the nation. It’s not that the public-private partnership concept being pushed…
Media
Read More: Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructureTaxes & Economy
Offshore drilling to being on October 1?
A Heritage Foundation webmemo articulates the fact that all Congress needs to do allow offshore drilling is not extend the moratorium – set to expire on Sept. 30. They…
Media
Read More: Offshore drilling to being on October 1?Regulation
Corporate Welfare 101
Philadelphia Inquirer story on how the Lancaster Convention Center project has spun out of control – with dramatic cost increases (from an initial $30 million to over $100 million),…
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Read More: Corporate Welfare 101Taxes & Economy
Can the Feds Save the Housing Market?
He is a good read from The Freeman offering a primer on how the US housing market came to be in such bad shape, and why federal bailouts is…
Media
Read More: Can the Feds Save the Housing Market?Government Accountability
Push for reform coming up short
Here is one of the most disheartening articles I have read about reform in Harrisburg. (HT: Grassroots PA). Not only do some Pennsylvania lawmakers think that the…
Media
Read More: Push for reform coming up shortTaxes & Economy
PA ranks low among US and Canadian Labor Markets
For Labor Day, the Fraser Institute has a new report on state and Canadian provinces labor markets. It may stun some in the Rendell administration, but not…
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Read More: PA ranks low among US and Canadian Labor MarketsHealth Care
Conservatives should care about health care
Philip Klein has a must read article about why conservatives should care about health in the The American Spectator. He makes the case that it is not enough to…
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Read More: Conservatives should care about health careGovernment Accountability
BonusGate update and questions
The Democracy Rising PA Newsletter raises some interesting points about a pronouncement by Attorney General Tom Corbett that he wouldn’t make announcements about indictments leading up to Nov.
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Read More: BonusGate update and questionsTaxes & Economy
Turnpike Commission to owe $30 to $70 billion after Act 44
In our news release and media briefing yesterday, highlighting the patronage, power, and politics at the Turnpike Commission, we mention the exorbitant amount of debt the Turnpike Commission…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission to owe $30 to $70 billion after Act 44Education
SAT Scores by State
EDITORS NOTE: Click here for the 2014 SAT Scores by state The College Board released their 2008 College Bound Seniors report which details SAT scores. Click here for a…
Media
Read More: SAT Scores by StateState Budget
Most Pennsylvania Congressmen fail rating of pork votes
The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste released their 2007 Congressional ratings, ranking members on their votes on pork-barrel spending. Among the Pennsylvania delegation, only Joe Pitts scores above…
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Read More: Most Pennsylvania Congressmen fail rating of pork votesTaxes & Economy
Indiana has benefited from toll road lease
An anonymous comment on a recent post accused me of not mentioning the Indiana Toll Road deal because it was “not so good, a bad move”. Of course, we…
Media
Read More: Indiana has benefited from toll road leaseGovernment Accountability
Thomas Jefferson: Blogger
While I thought we had the most influential blog around (or at least number 7), this Jefferson guy from Charlottesville seems to be quoted quite a bit.
Media
Read More: Thomas Jefferson: BloggerTaxes & Economy
How Do You Define “American-Made”?
Mark Perry poses the question about how you define “American-made” cars. Does it depend on where the car was assembled? Where the corporate headquarters is? What percentage of the…
Media
Read More: How Do You Define “American-Made”?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania could become policy innovator with turnpike lease
The Wall Street Journal had a fairly lengthy cover story on the proposal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Among the points addressed 1) Other states are looking to PA…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania could become policy innovator with turnpike leaseTaxes & Economy
Even The Mere Threat Of Drilling Will Bring Down The Price Of Oil
Don Chance has an editorial on IBDeditorials.com on how drilling now – or even threatening to – will reduce price of oil immediately. Essentially it encourages those storing oil…
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Read More: Even The Mere Threat Of Drilling Will Bring Down The Price Of OilGovernment Accountability
Should 18 year-olds be allowed to drink (legally)?
A large group of college presidents have launched an initiative to lower the legal drinking age from 21 to18. Their argument is that 18 to 21 year…
Media
Read More: Should 18 year-olds be allowed to drink (legally)?State Budget
He’s not Santa Claus
The Herald Standard has an editorial about all of Governor Rendell’s taxpayer-funded “gifts” to Pennsylvania. While they don’t claim that any of these expenditures are misguided (though we pull…
Media
Read More: He’s not Santa ClausEducation
The Competitive Impact of School Choice
A reader asks, in response to a post about a study show school choice in Ohio had a competitive benefit to public schools, Do you have…
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Read More: The Competitive Impact of School ChoiceGovernment Accountability
16 days of work in six months may tire House
Eric Heyl, with a hint of sarcasm, suggests that the 16 days the PA House (and the 10 days for the PA Senate) is scheduled to be in session between July…
Media
Read More: 16 days of work in six months may tire HouseEducation
Is PHEAA reformable?
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review questions whether PHEAA can be reformed, as the Auditor General suggests, given that the legislators who dominate the PHEAA board don’t think legislators should vote to…
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