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
Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth on Education Spending
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvania’s Basic Education Funding Commission has begun holding hearings on how to remake the state’s public schools funding formula after a state court determined that the existing…
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Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadership
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania budget remains unfinished, while Pennsylvania House lawmakers remain on vacation (in recess) until the end of September. While it’s up to Speaker…
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Read More: Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadershipEducation
A Democrat saved school choice in Maryland. Can the same thing happen in Pennsylvania?
Originally published at The Patriot-News Maryland’s targeted educational choice program was on the chopping block earlier this year. With Democrats controlling both legislative chambers and flipping the governor’s…
Commentary
Read More: A Democrat saved school choice in Maryland. Can the same thing happen in Pennsylvania?Education
If Ohio Can Fix Education, So Can Pennsylvania
Originally published at RealClearEducation There is a big lie recited as gospel: Giving parents educational choice drains money from public schools and ultimately destroys them. Teachers union lobbyists recently…
Media Hit
Read More: If Ohio Can Fix Education, So Can PennsylvaniaEducation
Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to Stay
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Do you know someone who left Pennsylvania – or is considering doing so – to find greener pastures? You’re not alone. Nearly half of Pennsylvanians…
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Read More: Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to StayProsperity
Bidenomics Doesn’t Add Up for Pennsylvania or America
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania President Joe Biden is returning to his birth state to pitch his newly branded economic vision: Bidenomics. Though Biden seems eager to paint a rosy…
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Read More: Bidenomics Doesn’t Add Up for Pennsylvania or AmericaEducation
Shapiro, lawmakers must choose — students or special interests?
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review In education policy, there are two main groups of stakeholders: parents and special interests. Parents want the best opportunities for their children, while…
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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…
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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.
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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,…
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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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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Read More: Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls ShortProsperity
Commonwealth Foundation Sr. VP Nathan Benefield Responds to Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Priorities
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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.
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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…
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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…
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