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.”
Changes in the CF Board of Directors
With deep gratitude, the Commonwealth Foundation bid farewell to longtime Board Member Kirk Liddell and Board Chair Jane Leader Janeczek at its Board of Directors meeting in Philadelphia on September…
Commentary
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Changes in the CF Board of Directors
With deep gratitude, the Commonwealth Foundation bid farewell to longtime Board Member Kirk Liddell and Board Chair Jane Leader Janeczek at its Board of Directors meeting in Philadelphia on September…
Commentary
Read More: Changes in the CF Board of Directors
Restoring the Dignity of Work
The benefits of work, such as income, personal satisfaction, and a sense of purpose, are widely known. Yet, major welfare programs treat work as a burden or an inconvenience instead…
Commentary
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Restoring the Dignity of Work
The benefits of work, such as income, personal satisfaction, and a sense of purpose, are widely known. Yet, major welfare programs treat work as a burden or an inconvenience instead…
Commentary
Read More: Restoring the Dignity of Work
Did You Hear?
Within a single week, thousands of home care workers, educators, and taxpayers were relieved of the governor’s punitive—and unlawful—penalization. First, Gov. Wolf’s administration suspended a mandatory “orientation program” for Pennsylvania…
Commentary
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Did You Hear?
Within a single week, thousands of home care workers, educators, and taxpayers were relieved of the governor’s punitive—and unlawful—penalization. First, Gov. Wolf’s administration suspended a mandatory “orientation program” for Pennsylvania…
Commentary
Read More: Did You Hear?
Note From the Team
The budget battle carried well into the fall, with lawmakers struggling to find a way to pay for the spending plan they passed early this summer. Both chambers came to…
Commentary
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Note From the Team
The budget battle carried well into the fall, with lawmakers struggling to find a way to pay for the spending plan they passed early this summer. Both chambers came to…
Commentary
Read More: Note From the TeamEducation
Another Step Forward for Kids
Governor Wolf allowed HB 178, an act amending Pennsylvania’s Public School Code, to become law on Sunday. The bill is a big win for Pennsylvania's families. It includes three…
Media
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Remembering Fred Anton
I first met Fred Anton in 2002 when I was appointed president of the Commonwealth Foundation. I knew him as Mr. Anton then, and I called him Mr. Anton for…
Commentary
Read More: Remembering Fred AntonGovernment Accountability
Inconvenient Facts: Debunking Climate Alarmists
Governments should focus on supporting economic prosperity to enable better adaption to climate changes instead of controlling carbon footprints. Consider the contrast in hurricane recoveries between Florida, where an…
Media
Read More: Inconvenient Facts: Debunking Climate AlarmistsTaxes & 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 HypocrisyState Budget
What’s on the November Ballot: Property Taxes and Judges
In addition to several statewide judicial races, the upcoming November election includes a ballot measure that could change the way Pennsylvanians pay taxes or make no difference at all. Judicial Races…
Media
Read More: What’s on the November Ballot: Property Taxes and JudgesRegulation
Progress and Setbacks in the 2017-18 Budget
Pennsylvania’s four-month budget battle is just about over, thanks to an assortment of targeted tax hikes and fee increases along with borrowing and one-time transfers. However, lawmakers and the governor…
Media
Read More: Progress and Setbacks in the 2017-18 BudgetEducation
School Reforms Put Families and Students First
State lawmakers embraced a trio of significant reforms with the passage of HB 178—an act amending Pennsylvania’s Public School Code. The legislation would expand a popular scholarship program, protect…
Media
Read More: School Reforms Put Families and Students FirstEducation
ESA Opponents Want to Keep Kids Trapped in Failing Schools
Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) are waging a fear campaign against education savings accounts (ESAs). Both have complained ESAs “don’t help students learn” and “don't hold…
Media
Read More: ESA Opponents Want to Keep Kids Trapped in Failing SchoolsState Budget
Debt Ahead, but Reform Is Coming, Too
The General Assembly is on the verge of authorizing HB 785, which could add more than $1.2 billion to the state’s debt load. The legislation would amend the Capital…
Media
Read More: Debt Ahead, but Reform Is Coming, TooState Budget
Gov. Wolf’s Borrowing Schemes Won’t Work
Gov. Wolf’s careless decision to overspend last year has played a significant role in this latest budget impasse. Frustrated with the pace of the process, the governor decided to…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Borrowing Schemes Won’t WorkEducation
UPDATED: Senate Committee Passes Education Savings Accounts Bill?
Update: After a proxy vote was filed by Sen. Tomlinson, a member of the Senate Education Committee member who was absent from today’s committee meeting, the vote on Senate Bill…
Media
Read More: UPDATED: Senate Committee Passes Education Savings Accounts Bill?
Brouillette Launches ‘Brews & Views’ Podcast with Guest Mike Veon
Since stepping down from CF in 2016 to launch Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, former CF president Matt Brouillette has continued to be a leading voice on the most pressing…
Media
Read More: Brouillette Launches ‘Brews & Views’ Podcast with Guest Mike VeonEducation
ESA Basics: Understanding this New Lifeline
Children trapped in Pennsylvania's worst-performing schools could soon have new educational opportunities. On Wednesday, Senator John DiSanto (R-Dauphin County) introduced Senate Bill 2, establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Pennsylvania.
Media
Read More: ESA Basics: Understanding this New Lifeline