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.”
State Budget
Budget Outlook: Restrained Spending Growth
On Tuesday, Budget Secretary Randy Albright gave the mid-year budget briefing (slides available here) for the 2018-19 budget. If you’re expecting a repeat of the Wolf Administration’s tax-and-spend rhetoric…
Media
Read More: Budget Outlook: Restrained Spending GrowthRegulation
Turnpike Toll Hikes Highlight Missed Opportunities
There are three things Pennsylvanians have learned to count on: death, taxes, and Turnpike toll hikes. On January 6th, the state toll road will increase rates by another 6…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Toll Hikes Highlight Missed Opportunities
A Policy Feast to be Thankful For
If public policy was for Thanksgiving dinner, what should be on the menu? It’s an unusual question, but while I’m looking forward to a nice Thanksgiving meal, I’m also looking…
Media
Read More: A Policy Feast to be Thankful ForState Budget
IFO Projects $1.7 Billion State Budget Deficit in 2019
Last year’s state budget boasted a series of firsts. It was the first budget in four years enacted before the June 30 deadline and represents the only budget Gov.
Media
Read More: IFO Projects $1.7 Billion State Budget Deficit in 2019Regulation
On Amazon and Unilaterally Disarming Corporate Welfare
Amazon just announced that instead of one “HQ 2”, they will chose two new facilities—neither of which will be in Pennsylvania, instead choosing New York and Virginia. This shouldn’t…
Media
Read More: On Amazon and Unilaterally Disarming Corporate Welfare
State Budget Misses Key Opportunities
The good, bad, and ugly about this year's budget…
Commentary
Read More: State Budget Misses Key OpportunitiesCriminal Justice Reform
Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf
In the last four years Pennsylvania has experienced rapid state spending growth. On the plus side, constant tax hike proposals have been largely rejected and policies like pension reform, school…
Memo
Read More: Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. WolfEducation
Students Win Big with Tax Credit Scholarship Boost
The recently enacted state budget includes a $25 million increase in the successful and popular Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. This increase is tremendous for families—given that…
Media
Read More: Students Win Big with Tax Credit Scholarship BoostEducation
EITC In Context
Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) provide tax credit scholarships to low and moderate-income students. These scholarships are lifelines for tens of…
Media
Read More: EITC In ContextRegulation
Government Job Creation is a Myth
Can government create jobs? If you ask Gov. Tom Wolf, you won’t get a straight answer. On the one hand, Wolf promised Amazon millions—likely billions—in taxpayer subsidies to build a…
Media
Read More: Government Job Creation is a Myth
Ignore Scare Tactics; ESAs Would Benefit All Students
On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee advanced Senate Bill 2, which would create Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for students in the lowest performing 15 percent of public schools. ESAs…
Media
Read More: Ignore Scare Tactics; ESAs Would Benefit All StudentsEducation
Time to Let Fair Funding Work
A recent Philadelphia Inquirer editorial on school funding gets it partly right, but partly wrong. They challenge the fact that Pennsylvania spends $3,800 more per student than the national…
Media
Read More: Time to Let Fair Funding WorkGovernment Accountability
Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many Problems
Today, Gov. Wolf introduced a slew of “government reforms” to tackle Pennsylvania’s corruption problem. Here is our quick take on each. Gift Ban In theory, this seems like a…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s “Citizens First” Reforms Won’t Solve Many ProblemsState Budget
Five Things to Know about Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Budget
On February 6, Governor Wolf laid out his plan for the 2018-19 Pennsylvania state budget. Here are the five things you need to know: 1) Spending Increase Exceeds Taxpayer Protection Act…
Media
Read More: Five Things to Know about Gov. Wolf’s Proposed BudgetTaxes & Economy
PA Companies Raise Starting Wages After Tax Reform
Since the passage of federal tax reform, more than 300 companies have announced bonuses, raises, and new investments. This includes some major national companies, like Disney,…
Media
Read More: PA Companies Raise Starting Wages After Tax ReformEducation
PA Schools Spend Far Above National Average
Pennsylvania ranks 9th in the country for per-student funding of public schools. School districts in the commonwealth receive, overall, $3,700 more per student than the national average. This data comes…
Media
Read More: PA Schools Spend Far Above National AverageTaxes & Economy
Residents Still Moving out of PA, So Will Congressional Districts
Overlooked in yesterday’s news about the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordering a new Congressional district map was the fact that—regardless of the outcome of that case—Pennsylvania will likely lose a congressional…
Media
Read More: Residents Still Moving out of PA, So Will Congressional DistrictsTaxes & Economy
PA Taxpayers Are Moving to Almost Every Other State
Where are Pennsylvanians moving? Turns out, 44 states gained taxpayers from Pennsylvania last year. New data released yesterday by the IRS on state-to-state migration showed Pennsylvania gained residents moving from New…
Media
Read More: PA Taxpayers Are Moving to Almost Every Other State
Liquor Store Loan? Don’t Bank on It
Have your trips to the liquor store been leaving your wallet a little lighter? That’s because the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the agency behind our state-run liquor system, recently raised…
Commentary
Read More: Liquor Store Loan? Don’t Bank on ItTaxes & Economy
Wolf Tax Reform Hypocrisy
Gov. Wolf has criticized recent federal tax reform proposals—which would lower most tax rates and simplify the tax code by reducing loopholes—because it would eliminate the state and local…
Media
Read More: Wolf Tax Reform HypocrisyHealth Care
Obamacare Creates Another Round of Premium Hikes
Governor Wolf announced exchange insurance premiums will increase by 30 percent next year thanks to President Trump and Congress. The problem is insurance rates have increased every year under…
Media
Read More: Obamacare Creates Another Round of Premium Hikes