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.”
Government Union Campaign Spending (2010-2016)
It is a crime for elected officials to use public resources for politics. Yet, public resources are used to funnel union dues and campaign contributions from workers' paychecks to union…
Commentary
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Why Charter Schools–and School Choice–Matter
We talk with Nina Rees, president & CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, about why charter schools matter, what to do about failing charter schools, and the elements…
Commentary
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Podcast: Why Charter Schools – and School Choice – Matter
In Pennsylvania, 130,000 kids attend public charter schools—about 5 percent of the state’s schoolchildren. For many of these kids and parents, charter schools are a lifeline to a safer, better…
Media
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Thorough and Efficient System of Public Education
“The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the…
Media
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Lessons from Fracking’s Borderlines
New Yorkers shouldn’t have to eye secession to tap the riches beneath their feet. Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to worry that taxes and regulations will drive away opportunity and raise energy…
Commentary
Read More: Lessons from Fracking’s BorderlinesRegulation
How to Fix the Vape Tax
The House will return to session later today, with the Senate to follow early next week. The two chambers are in session for a total of nine days. This gives lawmakers a limited…
Media
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Facts about the State Share of School Funding
Should the Pennsylvania Supreme Court order the Legislature to give billions more dollars to school districts? That's what a recent lawsuit demands. But to make their case to the public, the lawsuit's advocates…
Media
Read More: Facts about the State Share of School FundingGovernment Accountability
Teachers’ Union Deceives on Dues Donations
Last week, the Commonwealth Court ordered the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to investigate Mary Trometter's allegation that the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) used her union dues to support Tom Wolf's run…
Media
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Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites: Meet Pa.’s Tax Code
Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 taxing authorities—a staggering number that exceeds almost any other state in the nation. Jared Walczak of the non-partisan Tax Foundation says simplification and neutrality are the…
Commentary
Read More: Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites: Meet Pa.’s Tax CodeEducation
Teacher Shortages Haunt Philly Students
Philadelphia's teacher shortage is making headlines, and city council is demanding the district solve the problem. A classroom without a permanent teacher is certainly unfair to students, yet Philadelphia teachers…
Media
Read More: Teacher Shortages Haunt Philly StudentsRegulation
PA’s Liquor Monopoly is in Red Ink Again
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is boasting about record sales again. But as we've pointed out in the past, that’s not much of a feat when you have a…
Media
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Answering Questions about Education Savings Accounts
What are Education Savings…
Memo
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Local Union Complains About Transparency
The school board and the local teachers union in the West Shore School District are in conflict. The two sides have been unable to agree on a contract for two…
Media
Read More: Local Union Complains About TransparencyState Budget
Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating Inequality
Gov. Wolf is embracing a government that works for the wealthy and well-connected. Yesterday, his administration announced its intention to commit more than $20.5 million to Aramark just to…
Media
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In School Funding, Pa. High Court Must Not Usurp Legislature
In School Funding, Pa. High Court Must Not Usurp Legislature Student Based Funding Formula, Not Court Mandate, Is Best for Pa. Students September 13, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As the Pennsylvania…
Press Release
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Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs
APSCUF—the union representing faculty at state-owned universities—has begun a vote to authorize a strike. One of APSCUF's complaints with the proposed contract is higher health care expenses. In…
Media
Read More: Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition CostsTaxes & Economy
Podcast: Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites – Meet Pa.’s Tax Code
Did you know Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 taxing authorities? It’s a staggering number that exceeds almost any other state in the nation. Not only does this create confusion and…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Killing Jobs & Playing Favorites – Meet Pa.’s Tax CodeRegulation
The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less
Pennsylvania's pension debt stands at $63 billion or more than $4,900 per resident. It's a big number to be sure, but what does it mean for the average Pennsylvanian? What does it…
Media
Read More: The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get LessRegulation
Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time
Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time $18 Billion SERS Unfunded Liability Breakdown Shows Urgent Need for Reform September 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers mull major…
Press Release
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How Money Walks Out of Pennsylvania
Last year, nearly 42,000 Pennsylvanians left the state to pursue their dreams elsewhere--that's one person every 12 and a half minutes. Why? Travis Brown, Forbes contributor and author of How…
Commentary
Read More: How Money Walks Out of PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Transparency Improves the Collective Bargaining Process
On August 30, Secretary of Administration Sharon Minnich announced the details of a new three-year labor agreement between the Wolf Administration and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal…
Media
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