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.”
Education
Why are some Democrats holding kids hostage in failing schools? For more money
Originally published at The Patriot-News On Friday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed, as part of a comprehensive state budget, Lifeline Scholarships to save kids trapped in the lowest-performing schools—with bipartisan…
Media Hit
Read More: Why are some Democrats holding kids hostage in failing schools? For more moneyEducation
By keeping his promises, Shapiro can help Pennsylvania lead the nation
Originally published in The Morning Call The recent national debt limit boondoggle that occupied Congress and President Biden is a valuable lesson for what not to do in government.
Media Hit
Read More: By keeping his promises, Shapiro can help Pennsylvania lead the nationEducation
Educational choice is on the rise, and the data supports it
Originally published in the Patriot-News Across the nation, states are expanding educational options for families. Already this year, ten states have created or broadened school choice programs. Iowa, Arkansas,…
Media Hit
Read More: Educational choice is on the rise, and the data supports itPublic Union Democracy
Uprooting the Teachers Unions
Originally published at The American Mind Across the country, teacher union leaders and leftist pundits frequently malign educational choice expansion as an insidious plot to “dismantle public education”…
Commentary
Read More: Uprooting the Teachers Unions
Bipartisan Support for Education Reforms
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania In Pennsylvania, divides over public education remain constant. The debates range from school funding disputes to curriculum fights, from arguments over critical race theory and…
Media Hit
Read More: Bipartisan Support for Education ReformsGovernment Accountability
Dems are determined to stop voter ID, even if it comes at the expense of their top legislative goal
Originally published at City & State PA For two months, Democrats and left-wing activists stonewalled the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to prevent a vote on the voter ID and…
Media Hit
Read More: Dems are determined to stop voter ID, even if it comes at the expense of their top legislative goalEducation
No real education reform without school choice. Bigger budgets won’t do enough.
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Flooding public schools with more money won’t deliver educational opportunity for every student. Equitable opportunity requires that every student has access to the educational…
Media Hit
Read More: No real education reform without school choice. Bigger budgets won’t do enough.Prosperity
Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the way
Originally published in The Patriot-News Who is in poverty—and why—is often mischaracterized by both the political right and left. Some blame the poor for lacking a work ethic.
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the wayState Budget
Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For…
Media Hit
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls ShortProsperity
Commonwealth Foundation Sr. VP Nathan Benefield Responds to Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Priorities
Media Hit
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Sr. VP Nathan Benefield Responds to Gov. Shapiro’s Budget PrioritiesEnergy
Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget Address
Profligacy Exacerbates Budget Deficit Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget calls for $45.9 billion in ongoing General Fund spending and $43 billion in net state revenues (after refunds). Thus, Pennsylvania has…
Report
Read More: Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget AddressEducation
Senior VP Nathan Benefield on the Dom Giordano Program highlighting education funding
Our Sr. Vice President Nathan Benefield recently chatted with radio host Dom Giordano about the ruling regarding education funding in Pennsylvania.
Media Hit
Read More: Senior VP Nathan Benefield on the Dom Giordano Program highlighting education fundingEducation
States Can Expand Educational Freedom Through Federal Tax Credit
Originally published in Newsweek Throughout the nation, parents are demanding educational freedom for K–12 students. A majority of states have adopted school choice programs, yet most are limited by…
Media Hit
Read More: States Can Expand Educational Freedom Through Federal Tax CreditProsperity
PA Lawmakers Can Reverse the Population Exodus
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania New data from the Census Bureau reveal that residents are fleeing Pennsylvania at an alarming rate. Pennsylvania lost nearly 40,000 residents to other states from July 2021…
Media Hit
Read More: PA Lawmakers Can Reverse the Population ExodusProsperity
Gov.-Elect Shapiro can learn valuable lessons from his predecessor’s mistakes
Originally published at The Patriot-News Tom Wolf concludes his second, and final, term as Pennsylvania’s 47th governor this month. His eight years in office were a time of…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov.-Elect Shapiro can learn valuable lessons from his predecessor’s mistakesEnergy
Assessing Gov. Tom Wolf’s Tenure
Key Points During Gov. Tom Wolf’s eight years in office, Pennsylvania ranked below the national average in income growth, job growth, and population growth.State government spending increased significantly under Wolf,…
Backgrounder
Read More: Assessing Gov. Tom Wolf’s TenureFairness
On voter ID, trust the voters
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Last session, Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to require voter identification in elections. The state House and Senate must…
Media Hit
Read More: On voter ID, trust the votersEducation
Shapiro’s campaign promises offer blueprint for bipartisanship
Originally published in The Patriot-News In the past few months, Pennsylvanians have seen their share of negative ads making radical claims—that one party is hell-bent on destroying democracy…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s campaign promises offer blueprint for bipartisanshipProsperity
Pa.’s corporate welfare for select businesses keeps the state down
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Just before the end of the legislative season, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a package of tax credits that will, over time, dole out $2…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa.’s corporate welfare for select businesses keeps the state downFairness
Weingarten tour can’t rewrite years of learning losses
Originally published at Broad + Liberty The American Federation of Teachers’ get-out-the-vote bus tour began its Pennsylvania leg in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The tour, designed to bolster left-wing candidates, comes…
Media Hit
Read More: Weingarten tour can’t rewrite years of learning lossesFairness
PA Is the Epicenter of Democrats’ Political Spending
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro’s overflowing campaign coffers underscore the importance of Pennsylvania to national politics—and the influence of government unions in elections. With four…
Media Hit
Read More: PA Is the Epicenter of Democrats’ Political Spending