Erik Telford
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs
Erik Telford is the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Erik is a senior public affairs and communications executive with more than 15 years of diverse experience across public policy, advocacy, and public affairs institutions. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Erik served as the senior vice president at Stand Together Communications, the Koch network’s marketing and communications capability. Erik has also served as the president of the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, a state-based watchdog journalism organization. And at Americans for Prosperity, he was the executive director of RightOnline (an initiative he founded) and the director of membership and online strategy. He is currently on the board of the American Commitment Foundation.
In 2013, Campaigns & Elections Magazine honored Erik as an “Advocacy Innovator” and in 2011 as a “Rising Star in American Politics.” Politics Online named him one of the “Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics.”
Public Union Democracy
What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers
The Case Plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME contend compulsory union fees for public-sector workers violates their First Amendment rights. The Players Plaintiffs: Mark Janus,…
Media
Read More: What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers
RSVP: Policy Roundtable March 28
The Commonwealth Foundation invites you to a: Policy Roundtable with Rep. Bryan Cutler March 28, 2018 6:00 – 8:00pm The Union League…
Commentary
Read More: RSVP: Policy Roundtable March 28Education
Education Spending Myths vs. Facts
In his recent budget address, Gov. Wolf continued to push the myth that the previous administration cut a billion dollars in state education spending and our schools remain underfunded.
Media
Read More: Education Spending Myths vs. FactsPublic Union Democracy
Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam
Imagine being disabled or sick and requiring help to bathe, eat, and even move from room to room within your own home. Medicaid, a taxpayer-funded health insurance program helps pay…
Media
Read More: Ending the Government Union Skimming ScamCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania’s Overspending Problem Still Proving Costly
To balance last year’s budget, Gov. Wolf and lawmakers agreed to dedicate a portion of Tobacco Settlement Fund payments to cover a $1.5 billion bond issuance. This decision to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Overspending Problem Still Proving CostlyTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage Hike Short-Changes Teens
Higher minimum wages have driven a decline in teenage employment since 2000, according to the Mercatus Center. . . . higher minimum wages are associated with a lower…
Media
Read More: Minimum Wage Hike Short-Changes TeensState Budget
Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposals vs. Reality
Last week, Gov. Wolf unveiled a budget that includes another energy tax and approximately $1 billion in new General Fund spending. (This doesn't include large spending increases in the shadow budget.) While the plan would take…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposals vs. Reality
The Great Risk Taker
The Reinhard family story is one of hard work, risk-taking, success, and a deep love of community. Claude Reinhard and his wife had five children. Two of his sons—Don and…
Commentary
Read More: The Great Risk Taker
The Great Risk Taker
The Reinhard family story is one of hard work, risk-taking, success, and a deep love of community. Claude Reinhard and his wife had five children. Two of his sons—Don and…
Commentary
Read More: The Great Risk Taker
Ghost Teachers Update
In past issues, we’ve detailed lawsuits in Reading and Allentown School Districts filed by clients of the Fairness Center. In both districts, teachers were leaving the classroom to work for…
Commentary
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Ghost Teachers Update
In past issues, we’ve detailed lawsuits in Reading and Allentown School Districts filed by clients of the Fairness Center. In both districts, teachers were leaving the classroom to work for…
Commentary
Read More: Ghost Teachers Update
Time for Education Equality in Erie
“Topping the list” is usually good thing. Who doesn’t want to be #1? Unfortunately, Erie tops a list that should inspire not celebration but soul searching. Financial news website 24/7 Wall St.
Commentary
Read More: Time for Education Equality in Erie
Time for Education Equality in Erie
“Topping the list” is usually good thing. Who doesn’t want to be #1? Unfortunately, Erie tops a list that should inspire not celebration but soul searching. Financial news website 24/7 Wall St.
Commentary
Read More: Time for Education Equality in Erie
Transforming Labor: A Comprehensive Review of the States
Is Pennsylvania a worker-friendly state? To answer this question, CF published a report, Transforming Labor, which examines and grades all 50 states according to the impact of their public sector…
Commentary
Read More: Transforming Labor: A Comprehensive Review of the States
Transforming Labor: A Comprehensive Review of the States
Is Pennsylvania a worker-friendly state? To answer this question, CF published a report, Transforming Labor, which examines and grades all 50 states according to the impact of their public sector…
Commentary
Read More: Transforming Labor: A Comprehensive Review of the States
From the Team
Commonwealth Foundation welcomed two new teammates to start the year—Emily Jae, director of entrepreneur engagement in southeastern Pennsylvania, and Liz Vincent, director of entrepreneur engagement in central Pennsylvania. We are…
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From the Team
Commonwealth Foundation welcomed two new teammates to start the year—Emily Jae, director of entrepreneur engagement in southeastern Pennsylvania, and Liz Vincent, director of entrepreneur engagement in central Pennsylvania. We are…
Commentary
Read More: From the Team
Did You Hear?
In December, legislation which would have prohibited government from collecting and distributing political campaign contributions was voted on for the first time by the full Pennsylvania House. Unfortunately, SB 166…
Commentary
Read More: Did You Hear?
Did You Hear?
In December, legislation which would have prohibited government from collecting and distributing political campaign contributions was voted on for the first time by the full Pennsylvania House. Unfortunately, SB 166…
Commentary
Read More: Did You Hear?