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.”
State Budget
Back to the Future: Budget Edition
Doc Brown showed up at Commonwealth Foundation headquarters in his DeLorean yesterday with a stern warning about the future. “I just returned from 2017! You’ve got to come back with…
Media
Read More: Back to the Future: Budget EditionState Budget
One of these things is not like the others . . .
Remember this popular song from the children's show Sesame Street? It goes, “One of these things is not like the others, one of these things doesn't belong. . .”…
Media
Read More: One of these things is not like the others . . .Regulation
‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed Budgeting
As it stands, this budget leaves families trapped in a game of tax roulette—praying their taxes don’t go up this year. Next year, let’s hope taxpayers don’t have to choose…
Commentary
Read More: ‘Spend-first, Tax-later’ is Flawed BudgetingState Budget
State Government is Spending Money it Doesn’t Have
Pennsylvania is spending taxpayer money it doesn’t have. Yesterday the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its report on revenue collections for the past fiscal year. Total revenue came in…
Media
Read More: State Government is Spending Money it Doesn’t HaveTaxes & Economy
PA Manufacturing Withers Under High Tax Load
As Harrisburg searches for politically acceptable tax hikes to fund a record-breaking budget, Pennsylvania’s attractiveness to manufacturers continues to decline. According to a study reported by the Central…
Media
Read More: PA Manufacturing Withers Under High Tax LoadState Budget
Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge?
Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge? Natural Gas Gross Receipts Tax Would Hit 2.7 Million Homeowners July 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers scramble to find revenue…
Press Release
Read More: Will Lawmakers Renege on ‘No Broad-Based Taxes’ Pledge?State Budget
Broad Heating Tax Would Hit Millions
Last week, lawmakers and the governor agreed to a $31.6 billion budget, a five percent increase in spending from last year and the largest one-year jump in spending since 2006.
Media
Read More: Broad Heating Tax Would Hit MillionsPublic Union Democracy
Union Demands vs. Fiscal Realities
One government union’s insatiable appetite for more tax dollars has hit a brick wall. The Wolf Administration is in the process of negotiating a contract with the state’s largest…
Media
Read More: Union Demands vs. Fiscal RealitiesCriminal Justice Reform
My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s Board
How did a registered Democrat and the daughter of former Democratic Governor George Leader find a place on Commonwealth Foundation’s Board? …
Commentary
Read More: My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s BoardEducation
Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?
In addition to general appropriations (SB 1073) and the fiscal code (SB 1320), lawmakers are finalizing language in the education code, HB 530. This legislation promises significant reforms…
Media
Read More: Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?Regulation
What’s in the Senate Budget?
Earlier today the state Senate passed an amended version of a House budget proposal, which included the largest spending increase in a decade. The House must now agree to the Senate's changes before sending…
Media
Read More: What’s in the Senate Budget?Education
2015 SAT Scores
The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is an important indicator of public education quality in Pennsylvania. Currently, the commonwealth ranks 36th out of the 50 states and 3 US territories (Washington…
Media
Read More: 2015 SAT ScoresState Budget
Five Major Flaws in House Budget
Five Major Flaws in House Budget Unsustainable State Spending Threatens Family Budgets June 28, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed a $31.6 billion spending plan, representing a…
Press Release
Read More: Five Major Flaws in House BudgetEducation
The Taxpayers? False Choice
Governor Wolf and legislative leaders present Pennsylvanians with two options. The first requires taxpayers to fork over hundreds of millions in higher taxes. The second calls for steep cuts…
Media
Read More: The Taxpayers? False ChoiceState Budget
House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher Taxes
House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher Taxes Proposal Side-Steps Broad Taxes but Relies on Unreliable Cigarette Tax Hike June 28, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Monday night,…
Press Release
Read More: House Budget: Massive Spending Increase Would Target Poor for Higher TaxesState Budget
What Is in the House Budget?
Last night, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee advanced a $31.6 billion general fund budget. This budget is now lined up for a final vote in the House. Here is…
Media
Read More: What Is in the House Budget?State Budget
Which Taxes Might be Going Up?
Less than one week remains before the state budget deadline, and details are slowly emerging about a $31.5 billion spending plan. This $1.5 billion spending increase would be the largest spending…
Media
Read More: Which Taxes Might be Going Up?Regulation
Sin-sylvania?
According to a new Watchdog.org analysis, Pennsylvania leads in the nation in collections from “sin taxes.” The commonwealth collects more than $2.7 billion annually in taxes on tobacco, alcohol or…
Media
Read More: Sin-sylvania?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further Behind
Pennsylvania's economy isn't looking so hot this summer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports: Pennsylvania lost 23,600 jobs in the last two months (nonfarm, payroll jobs). Over the same…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further BehindState Budget
Harrisburg Should Curb Waste, Not Fund It
What do waking up, driving to work, and stopping at Starbucks have in common? Each of these seemingly mundane activities is impacted by state taxes. It’s time to break this…
Commentary
Read More: Harrisburg Should Curb Waste, Not Fund It
Stacked Hybrid Plan Falls Short
Our state's unfunded pension liability climbed 730% in the last ten years; it's at almost $5,000 for every man, woman, and child in the state. How does this affect you? Rick…
Media
Read More: Stacked Hybrid Plan Falls Short