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.”
Energy
Shapiro’s Lights Out Agenda
Analysis of Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan Summary In January, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his Lightning Plan, which he calls a “bold, all-of-the-above energy plan” to shift…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania’s Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio and West Virginia
Originally published by TribLIVE. Pennsylvania’s nickname of the Keystone State, as variously reported, originates with the deciding vote for independence by a Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress or in…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Muddled Leadership Loses to Ohio and West VirginiaEducation
New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of Leadership
69% of voters believe Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to take a more active role in budget negotiations. Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2025 — As the June 30th deadline looms, voters…
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of LeadershipEducation
Learning Investment Tax Credit
Summary The proposed Learning Investment Tax Credit (LITC), House Bill (HB) 1662, creates a $8,000 per child refundable tax credit to offset education expenses if parents choose a non-public…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Learning Investment Tax CreditHealth Care
How Welfare Reforms in the OBBB Protect Pennsylvanians
Summary Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps, were intended to help provide health insurance and food for low-income seniors,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: How Welfare Reforms in the OBBB Protect PennsylvaniansEducation
Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro once said, “Leaders have a responsibility to speak truth.” Yet, truth be told, the governor’s lack of leadership on this…
Media Hit
Read More: Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?
With $64 Million in the Bank, Central Bucks School District Still Increases Taxes
Originally published by Bucks County Independence. The bill for public education is about to rise in Bucks County — again. Homeowners in Central Bucks School District are facing a…
Media Hit
Read More: With $64 Million in the Bank, Central Bucks School District Still Increases TaxesEducation
The Hypocrisy of the ‘No Kings’ Protests
Originally published by Delaware Valley Journal. This past week, left-wing advocacy groups organized nationwide protests under the banner “No Kings,” opposing President Donald Trump. Let’s be real: These protests aren’t…
Media Hit
Read More: The Hypocrisy of the ‘No Kings’ ProtestsEducation
Cyber Students: Undeserving Targets of Teacher Unions
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. With all that’s wrong in public education today, what if I told you some good news? There are more than 69,000 students in Pennsylvania who have…
Commentary
Read More: Cyber Students: Undeserving Targets of Teacher Unions
Gov. Shapiro Needs to Serve Students, Not Supporters
Two years ago, Governor Josh Shapiro boldly promised to save Pennsylvania’s children trapped in failing schools. When asked on Fox News about the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS), also…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro Needs to Serve Students, Not SupportersEnergy
Energy Costs and Regulations Threaten PA’s Tech Boom
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania is on the short list of destinations for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). However, the commonwealth—thanks to ill-advised policies pushed by…
Media Hit
Read More: Energy Costs and Regulations Threaten PA’s Tech BoomRegulation
Pennsylvania Senate Slashes Red Tape
Senate Republicans passed two bills to protect all Pennsylvanians from overregulation. Harrisburg, Pa., June 10, 2025 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed two pieces of legislation promising extensive regulatory…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Senate Slashes Red TapeEducation
PA House Democrats Threaten Thousands of Cyber Charter Students with New Bill
Harrisburg, Pa., June 3, 2025 — This week, Pennsylvania House Democrats passed House Bill (HB) 1500, which would slash funding for cyber school students, out of the Education Committee. …
Press Release
Read More: PA House Democrats Threaten Thousands of Cyber Charter Students with New BillState Budget
Deficit Watch: June 2025
Lawmakers must protect the Rainy Day Fund. Background Pennsylvania faces serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2024–25 General Fund budget created a $3.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26…
Deficit Watch
Read More: Deficit Watch: June 2025Education
HB 1500 Harms Cyber School Students
Summary Pennsylvania public school revenue has risen by almost 5 percent in the last year to more than $23,000 per student. The commonwealth ranks seventh in the nation in spending…
Fact Sheet
Read More: HB 1500 Harms Cyber School StudentsEnergy
PRESS Passes Out of Committee, Threatening Another Hike in Electric Bills
Harrisburg, Pa., June 2, 2025 —Today, the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee passed House Bill 501, one legislative component of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s overarching energy proposal known…
Press Release
Read More: PRESS Passes Out of Committee, Threatening Another Hike in Electric BillsEnergy
Governor Shapiro’s Green New Deal Will Cost Families
Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Gov. Josh Shapiro is a classic political flip-flopper. And his latest energy proposals demonstrate his wishy-washiness. When he ran for the state’s highest office in 2022,…
Media Hit
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Green New Deal Will Cost FamiliesEducation
Shapiro Must Lead, Not Litigate
Originally published by PennLive. Gov. Josh Shapiro seems less interested in governing and more interested in reliving his days as attorney general. A federal judge recently …
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Must Lead, Not LitigateEnergy
New Poll: Pennsylvanians Demand Energy Affordability
Voters strongly oppose Gov. Josh Shapiro’s top priorities, including RGGI, mass transit bailout, and government energy mandates. Harrisburg, Pa., May 29, 2025 — Two-thirds of Pennsylvanians are unaware of…
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Pennsylvanians Demand Energy AffordabilityHealth Care
Hidden Costs in Pennsylvania’s Pharmacy Reform Could Hurt Patients
Originally published by PennLive. PennLive’s editorial encouraging state lawmakers to expand on Act 77 rightly lauds the expanded role of pharmacists to provide safe and convenient…
Media Hit
Read More: Hidden Costs in Pennsylvania’s Pharmacy Reform Could Hurt PatientsEnergy
New Report: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Energy Proposals Will Double Electric Bills
The report finds PACER and PRESS proposals would impose massive increases to household electricity rates. Harrisburg, Pa., May 27, 2025 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released its latest…
Press Release
Read More: New Report: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Energy Proposals Will Double Electric Bills