Erik Telford

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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.” 

Health Care

Five Pre-Existing Condition Myths Debunked

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 9, 2017

What happens when Obamacare mandates drive insurance companies out of the marketplace? One breast cancer survivor in Maricopa County, Arizona—which lost all but one Obamacare…

Media

Read More: Five Pre-Existing Condition Myths Debunked

Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania Government Union Dues Used for Politics

  • May 8, 2017

Since 2007, Pennsylvania government unions spent $62.7 million from membership dues on “Political Activities & Lobbying.” Including national affiliates the total reaches $342 million during the 2016 election cycle alone. Here…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania Government Union Dues Used for Politics

Government Accountability

Paycheck Protection Closes Corruption Loophole

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 8, 2017

Philly Corruption All-Stars, that's the title of the recent Philadelphia Citizen series featuring a decade-by-decade rundown of the most corrupt city politicians. Philadelphia and Pennsylvania's reputation for political corruption…

Media

Read More: Paycheck Protection Closes Corruption Loophole

Health Care

Latest Obamacare Repeal Effort Full of Opportunity

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 5, 2017

As the past seven years have shown, no one in Congress is qualified to make healthcare decisions for Pennsylvanians. The latest version of the American Health Care Act will give…

Media

Read More: Latest Obamacare Repeal Effort Full of Opportunity

Public Union Democracy

How Government Union Dues Subsidize Partisan Politics

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 5, 2017

The 2016 election cycle reveals big spending from big labor, according to a report released by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR). NILRR discovered $1.7 billion in…

Media

Read More: How Government Union Dues Subsidize Partisan Politics

Taxes & Economy

Perception v. Reality Check on Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 4, 2017

Yesterday, Elizabeth noted how Pennsylvania lost 13,000 college-educated millennials to other states in 2015. Overall, Pennsylvania lost 45,000 residents in interstate migration last year. Why are millennials and…

Media

Read More: Perception v. Reality Check on Pennsylvania’s Economy

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Self-Inflicted Lobotomy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 3, 2017

Every day, 36 college graduates flee Pennsylvania for better opportunities in other states, according to a new Independent Fiscal Office trends report. Overall, there was a net outflow of…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Self-Inflicted Lobotomy

State Budget

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2017

  • May 3, 2017

Pennsylvania’s financial problems continue to mount. April’s revenue collections were well below the Department of Revenue’s official estimate, which means the state’s deficit will likely be larger than expected.

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2017

Regulation

Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?

  • May 2, 2017

Last month the House passed a General Fund budget that included more than $56 million in corporate welfare reductions. At the time, we indicated even more reductions were possible given…

Media

Read More: Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?

Education

Ten Reasons for Optimism

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 28, 2017

This week state lawmakers advanced a plethora of good policy, from legislation to finally end the government liquor monopoly to a bill that would improve health care in rural areas.

Media

Read More: Ten Reasons for Optimism

Ghost Teacher Ban Passes Senate Committee

  • April 27, 2017

These ghost teachers are teachers in name only; many haven’t taught in decades and will never return to the classroom. In some cases, ghost teachers receive taxpayer-funded salaries, gain seniority,…

Commentary

Read More: Ghost Teacher Ban Passes Senate Committee

Ghost Teacher Ban Passes Senate Committee

  • April 27, 2017

These ghost teachers are teachers in name only; many haven’t taught in decades and will never return to the classroom. In some cases, ghost teachers receive taxpayer-funded salaries, gain seniority,…

Commentary

Read More: Ghost Teacher Ban Passes Senate Committee