Nathan Benefield

Nathan Benefield

Senior Vice President

Nathan (Nate) Benefield is the Senior Vice President at the Commonwealth Foundation.

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

Union Spokesmen Still Lying About Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 19, 2014

Yesterday, I pointed out that union leaders would use every bogeyman and slogan in their playbook rather than explain why taxpayers should collect their political money. As if on…

Media

Read More: Union Spokesmen Still Lying About Paycheck Protection

Public Union Democracy

Union Members Support Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 18, 2014

Last week, my colleague Bob wrote in the Patriot News that union leaders are waging a “war on truth” by attacking paycheck protection but ignoring the real issue: whether…

Media

Read More: Union Members Support Paycheck Protection

State Budget

5 Facts About the State Budget Proposal

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2014

The 2014-15 Pennsylvania State Budget proposal is more than 1000 pages, but we’ve boiled it down to five facts taxpayers you need to know 1. State Spending is at an All-Time…

Media

Read More: 5 Facts About the State Budget Proposal

State Budget

State Budget Déjà Vu

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2014

Ceremonies in Punxsutawney have come and gone, but every year Groundhog Day reminds me of the film of the same name—in which Bill Murray lives the same day over and over…

Commentary

Read More: State Budget Déjà Vu

Public Union Democracy

Should Public Resources be Used to Collect Political Money?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 29, 2014

My letter to the editor in the Carlisle Sentinel attempts to cut through all the rhetoric and ad hominem attacks by getting straight to the point regarding the debate…

Media

Read More: Should Public Resources be Used to Collect Political Money?

Government Accountability

Government Unions Bosses United for Political Attack Ads

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 28, 2014

Politics PA reported last week that a group called “Americans United for Change” is targeting four Pennsylvania Congressmen (Charlie Dent, Joe Pitts, Mike Fitzpatrick, and Pat Meehan) in their…

Media

Read More: Government Unions Bosses United for Political Attack Ads

Public Union Democracy

National, State Teachers’ Unions Don’t Talk to Teachers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 27, 2014

A survey of National Education Association (NEA) members, summarized by the Educational Intelligence Agency, reveals most teacher union members never hear from state and national union officials. While most…

Media

Read More: National, State Teachers’ Unions Don’t Talk to Teachers

Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania Next in Union Crosshairs

  • Nathan Benefield, Priya Brannick
  • January 24, 2014

Government union leaders are ramping up their attack messaging machine in Pennsylvania and planning a rally to bully state lawmakers as they did in Wisconsin and Michigan. But…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Next in Union Crosshairs

Government Accountability

Answering the Critics About Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 23, 2014

Under current law and contracts, it’s permissible for a school district’s personnel office to act as the collection agent for Political Action Committee contributions and membership dues…

Memo

Read More: Answering the Critics About Paycheck Protection

Government Accountability

Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 16, 2014

One of the biggest myths used to oppose paycheck protection is the claim “union dues money can’t be used for politics” despite all evidence…

Media

Read More: Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics

Public Union Democracy

Video: Government Unions’ Political Power Cycle

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2014

How do government union leaders use their unfair political advantage to promote bad policies? Our latest video looks at how government unions have…

Media

Read More: Video: Government Unions’ Political Power Cycle

Education

Top 5 Articles of 2013

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 31, 2013

Yesterday, we gave you the 5 most popular blog posts of 2013.  Today, we are highlighting the 5 most read articles of 2013 on our website. 1) The (Growing)…

Media

Read More: Top 5 Articles of 2013

Education

Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 30, 2013

As 2013 winds to a close, we thought we’d run down the top stories of the past year.  Here are Commonwealth Foundation’s top 5 blog posts, as chosen by you…

Media

Read More: Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013

Public Union Democracy

The Unemployed Need Opportunities, Not Handouts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 19, 2013

Those suggesting the federal government continue its temporary extension of unemployment benefits point to our stagnant economy and high unemployment as justification.  But, in truth, these results have been caused…

Commentary

Read More: The Unemployed Need Opportunities, Not Handouts

Regulation

Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia Teachers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 12, 2013

Thousands of school teachers in Philadelphia will see their retirement plans switched to 401(k)-type plans next year—and the union representing those teachers is okay with the reform. Shocked? I should…

Media

Read More: Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia Teachers

Education

False Claims Fuel Charter Attacks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2013

The Education Law Center has issued an attack on legislation to allow universities to approve new charter schools. In a single paragraph, a spokesman for the group makes makes…

Media

Read More: False Claims Fuel Charter Attacks

Education

School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2013

Pennsylvania earned a “C+” for providing citizens information on how public schools spend money, according to a recent report from the Cato Institute titled “Cracking the…

Media

Read More: School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?

Government Accountability

Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2013

State Treasurer Rob McCord received endorsements for governor last week from two government unions—UFCW 1776 and AFSCME. That means big money from union PACs to his campaign. The…

Media

Read More: Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord

Education

Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2013

It was the last straw for teacher Steve Calabro. When the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) ran advertisements claiming any teacher who didn’t contribute to the union PAC was part…

Commentary

Read More: Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers

Regulation

Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes Later

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 4, 2013

Is your family ready to lose a mortgage payment or give up cellphone service for increased property and state taxes? Or would you rather see 33,000 public school teachers in…

Commentary

Read More: Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes Later

Health Care

“Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 31, 2013

In trying to persuade states to expand Medicaid, Obamacare advocates are using enough scare tactics to fill a haunted house. From threatening to discontinue Gross Receipt taxes to…

Media

Read More: “Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt