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.”
Taxes & Economy
Severance Tax Talk is Stunting Investment in Pa.
One tax is emblematic of Pennsylvania’s failure to grow the economy with more government spending: the natural gas severance tax. Special interest groups have worked for a decade to enact a…
Media
Read More: Severance Tax Talk is Stunting Investment in Pa.
Why Pa.’s Department of Corrections is a Model to Follow
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) recently released the results of SIP-HOPE—a promising new pilot program aimed at reducing recidivism. According to DOC, the program led to a 13…
Media
Read More: Why Pa.’s Department of Corrections is a Model to FollowPublic Union Democracy
UFCW Fined for Misreporting Terrible Anti-Privatization TV Ads
Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has persistently generated corruption scandals as it manages the state-run liquor system. Now, the loudest advocate for retaining this inefficient and unpopular…
Media
Read More: UFCW Fined for Misreporting Terrible Anti-Privatization TV AdsState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Small Towns Need Harrisburg to Think Big
The stories are all too familiar. In towns hollowed out by economic downturns, Pennsylvanians are struggling to get by. Many are wondering when, or if, things will get better. Small…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Small Towns Need Harrisburg to Think Big
State Government Continues to Grow
As I pointed out last week, the total operating budget for Pennsylvania exceeds $80 billion. In addition to the $32 billion General Fund, the $49 billion “shadow budget” includes $28.7 billion…
Media
Read More: State Government Continues to GrowRegulation
Reducing the State’s Cash Stockpile Can Help Balance the Budget
Lawmakers considering balancing the budget with borrowing and higher taxes could opt for a responsible alternative: drawing down funds from the shadow budget's “banking accounts.” But first, let’s take a…
Media
Read More: Reducing the State’s Cash Stockpile Can Help Balance the BudgetHealth Care
Five Medicaid Work Requirement Truths
Work leaves families better off. To ignore this fact and urge people to trust a failing Medicaid system is nothing short of a moral scandal.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Five Medicaid Work Requirement TruthsPublic Union Democracy
News Release: Majority of Union Employees Want Worker Voting Rights
Regular elections are foundational to representative democracy. Yet thousands of Pennsylvanians who work in the public sector are bound by a single vote held more than four decades ago to…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Majority of Union Employees Want Worker Voting RightsState Budget
Tax Hikes Won’t Prevent Credit Downgrades
In July, S&P placed Pennsylvania on a negative credit watch, citing budget uncertainties. The move signaled a potential credit rating downgrade for Pennsylvania, which Governor Wolf is using to push for higher taxes.
Media
Read More: Tax Hikes Won’t Prevent Credit DowngradesState Budget
Policy Memo: Analysis of the State Senate’s Revenue Plan
On July 27, the state Senate passed a $1.8 billion revenue package, which includes more than $1.2 billion in borrowing and $570 million in tax increases to pay for the…
Memo
Read More: Policy Memo: Analysis of the State Senate’s Revenue PlanTaxes & Economy
Could Gas Go the Way of Foxconn?
One company’s decision not to locate in Pennsylvania foreshadows the migration in capital and jobs the commonwealth would suffer under a higher gas tax. Wisconsin Governor Scott…
Media
Read More: Could Gas Go the Way of Foxconn?Government Accountability
News Release: $65 Million in Earmarks Hidden in State’s Fiscal Code
Pennsylvanians shouldn’t need a decoder ring to know how their tax dollars are being spent. But lawmakers have hidden more than $65 million in vaguely worded earmarks in the Senate-passed…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: $65 Million in Earmarks Hidden in State’s Fiscal CodeState Budget
Can Other Funds Help Balance the State Budget?
The total operating budget for the state exceeds $80 billion. In addition to the $32 billion General Fund, the “shadow budget” includes: $28.7 billion in federal funds, $4.7 billion in…
Media
Read More: Can Other Funds Help Balance the State Budget?Taxes & Economy
The Fizz Tax Is on the Fritz
Philadelphia’s soda tax was the final blow to the Orlando family’s nearly 70-year-old bakery. The business closed earlier this month following a steep decline in sales after the soda…
Media
Read More: The Fizz Tax Is on the Fritz
School Spending updates, 2014-15
Pennsylvania school districts spent approximately $27.4 billion in 2014-15. This represents a $1.3 billion increase from 2013-14, despite a 12,000 student decrease in average daily membership.
Commentary
Read More: School Spending updates, 2014-15
School Spending updates, 2014-15
Pennsylvania school districts spent approximately $27.4 billion in 2014-15. This represents a $1.3 billion increase from 2013-14, despite a 12,000 student decrease in average daily membership.
Commentary
Read More: School Spending updates, 2014-15State Budget
Infographic: What Will They Tax Next?
The Washington Observer-Reporter recently editorialized on the tax hikes in the Senate-passed revenue plan, answering questions all Pennsylvanians should be asking themselves: Do you heat your house with…
Media
Read More: Infographic: What Will They Tax Next?Taxes & Economy
More Evidence Minimum Wage Increase = Job Loss
Montgomery County, Maryland failed to increase the minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 per hour after County Executive Isiah Leggett vetoed the measure. He called for an objective study to…
Media
Read More: More Evidence Minimum Wage Increase = Job LossEducation
Parents, Children, and Lawmakers Celebrate Education Savings Accounts
Dozens of parents, children, and educational choice advocates packed the Joshua Learning Center in Harrisburg to rally for education savings accounts (ESAs). Sen. John DiSanto's soon-to-be released legislation,…
Media
Read More: Parents, Children, and Lawmakers Celebrate Education Savings AccountsState Budget
News Release: Analysis: Senate Tax Hikes Would Cost 3,600 Jobs, $1 Billion in Income
In July, the state Senate narrowly approved a $600 million tax-hike package, raising taxes on home heating, natural gas drilling, electricity, and even cell phone service. The bill comes to…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Analysis: Senate Tax Hikes Would Cost 3,600 Jobs, $1 Billion in IncomeEducation
News Release: State Senate to Introduce Education Savings Accounts
In a step toward dramatically increasing educational opportunity for students in Pennsylvania’s lowest-performing schools, today Senator John DiSanto unveiled his plan to introduce legislation establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: State Senate to Introduce Education Savings Accounts