Erik Telford

Media Contact
media(at)commonwealthfoundation.org

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.”

Education

Ghosts in the Education Machine

James Paul
October 28, 2016

If Pennsylvania students miss three days of school without an excuse, the law says they must be reported. But across the commonwealth, certain teachers have been absent for years—without consequences…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Unions Profit by Restricting Workers’ Choices

Elizabeth Stelle
October 28, 2016

The gold standard for labor reform is right-to-work, according to the conventional wisdom. However, our latest policy report…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Union Leaders Kill Critical Pension Reform at Members’ and Taxpayers’ Expense

October 27, 2016

Union Leaders Kill Critical Pension Reform at Members’ and Taxpayers’ Expense Reform Could Have Freed Public Employees from Restrictive, Failing Pension System October 27, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—In a…

Press Release

Regulation

State Pension Reform This Week?

Elizabeth Stelle
October 24, 2016

Pension reform talks are in full swing as state lawmakers finish up their fall session. The latest pension proposal offers a side-by-side hybrid system for new employees, including new…

Media

Regulation

Pennsylvanians Want Pension Reform

Elizabeth Stelle
October 20, 2016

A majority of Pennsylvanians want pension reform. In a poll conducted from October 4th to 9th, 54 percent of voters supported placing new state employees in a 401(k)-style…

Media

Education

APSCUF Threatens Faculty

Nathan Benefield
October 19, 2016

This morning, APSCUF, the union representing 5,000 faculty at the State System of Higher Education schools, went on strike. As we pointed out a few weeks ago, one…

Media

Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

October 19, 2016

Political commentator Matt Lewis, author of “Too Dumb to Fail,” argues that to stay relevant, conservatives must overcome the media’s soundbite culture and advocate for long-term policy solutions consistent with the…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

October 19, 2016

What are the roots of conservatism? How has conservatism and its messengers changed over time and what are the consequences for the nation? Political commentator Matt Lewis, author of “…

Media

Regulation

House Votes to Prevent Further Harm to the Vaping Community

October 18, 2016

Gov. Wolf and the legislature clearly erred in their attempt to raise revenue on the backs of small vape shop business owners like Dori, Chris, Scottie, and…

Media

Health Care

Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. Exchange

Elizabeth Stelle
October 18, 2016

Pennsylvanians shopping on the health care exchange are in for a rude awakening. Yesterday the Insurance Department announced premiums for individual plans will increase by an average of 32…

Media

Government Accountability

How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

James Paul
October 17, 2016

Why are taxpayers being charged for money left unspent? This question is posed by NBC 10 reporter Mitch Blacher to public school administrators in southeastern Pennsylvania districts. An NBC investigation…

Media

Education

House Speaker Seeks Boost for Vital Scholarship Programs

James Paul
October 17, 2016

Pennsylvania’s private school scholarship programs account for less than 2 percent of the $11 billion in state funds allocated for public schools. Yet it is impossible to overstate the…

Media

CF in the News

October 15, 2016

Education funding is the job of the legislature, not the courts. Per-student spending is already at an all-time high in Pennsylvania, more than $3,000 above the national average.

Commentary

CF in the News

October 15, 2016

Education funding is the job of the legislature, not the courts. Per-student spending is already at an all-time high in Pennsylvania, more than $3,000 above the national average.

Commentary

Charter Reform: Get it Right

October 15, 2016

Nearly 20 years after charter schools were introduced in Pennsylvania, 130,000 students benefit from the educational choice offered by these independently managed, publicly funded schools. It’s no secret that charter…

Commentary

Charter Reform: Get it Right

October 15, 2016

Commentary

Changing the Conversation

October 15, 2016

The news and information industry is changing rapidly as mobile technology overtakes traditional media platforms. Podcasts have emerged as a popular medium that offers even more flexibility and opportunity for…

Commentary

Changing the Conversation

October 15, 2016

Commentary

Chart of the Month Oct-Nov

October 15, 2016

State Support of Public Schools…

Commentary

Chart of the Month Oct-Nov

October 15, 2016

State Support of Public Schools…

Commentary

Did you Hear Oct-Nov

October 15, 2016

Standing up to Philadelphia union bosses is not for the faint of heart. Some might have been cowed into silence after becoming the target of union violence. Sarina Rose didn’t back…

Commentary