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.”
Public Union Democracy
8 Labor Reforms to Protect Public Workers and Taxpayers
Pennsylvania's labor laws and practices heavily favor union executives at the expense of public employees and taxpayers. To level the playing field, state lawmakers should work to eliminate the host of…
Memo
Read More: 8 Labor Reforms to Protect Public Workers and TaxpayersGovernment Accountability
Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government that Works” plan to reform contracting practices and increase transparency in government. Now, the state Legislature has given Wolf…
Media
Read More: Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s SignatureGovernment Accountability
Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’?
Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’? Government Transparency Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature April 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Last month, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his “Government…
Press Release
Read More: Will Wolf ‘Walk the Walk’ on ‘Government That Works’?
Matt Brouillette’s Career at Commonwealth Foundation
Matt Brouillette announced his resignation from the Commonwealth Foundation effective June 30, 2016. The CF team wishes him all the best in his new endeavor as we look back…
Commentary
Read More: Matt Brouillette’s Career at Commonwealth FoundationGovernment Accountability
Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture
Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New Venture 14-Year Tenure Saw Exponential Growth of State’s Free-Market Think Tank April 5, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After 14 years…
Press Release
Read More: Brouillette to Step Down as Commonwealth Foundation President for New VentureRegulation
Wolf’s False Choice
If lawmakers don’t raise taxes, Pennsylvanians should brace for drastic cuts to education and human services. This myth is promoted endlessly by the Wolf Administration to justify taking…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s False ChoiceRegulation
Rhetoric vs. Reality
Pennsylvania’s nine-month budget saga has concluded, but not everyone is pleased with the ending. The Philadelphia Inquirer published a caustic editorial criticizing state lawmakers for failing to surrender…
Media
Read More: Rhetoric vs. RealityRegulation
Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians
State employee compensation costs have soared to nearly $93,000 per worker per year, with health care and pensions the largest contributors. Meanwhile, costly EPA mandates on carbon and mercury…
Media
Read More: Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians
March Madness Union Dues Scam
To flush their political coffer with cash, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF) runs a dues rebate campaign annually. APSCUF designs the rebate campaign by first…
Media
Read More: March Madness Union Dues ScamEducation
The Final Piece of Budget Business in Limbo
After nine months of gridlock, Gov. Tom Wolf finally surrendered his 2015 quest for higher taxes on families and small businesses. On Monday morning, Pennsylvania will enjoy a completed state…
Media
Read More: The Final Piece of Budget Business in LimboState Budget
Victory Over Wolf Tax Hikes
Pennsylvania's 267 day budget impasse has finally come to an end…with a taxpayer victory! HB 1801 will become law without Tom Wolf's signature. The governor refuses to sign the budget,…
Media
Read More: Victory Over Wolf Tax HikesEducation
Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law
Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law Gov. Abandons 2015-16 Tax Hikes, Releases Record Funding for Cash-Strapped Schools March 23, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After keeping Pennsylvania in budget…
Press Release
Read More: Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become LawHealth Care
Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs
Is it possible to improve health care access while also cutting a costs? Yes—according to a recent study by Edward Timmons of the Mercatus Center. Writing in U.S.
Media
Read More: Improving Health Care Access While Cutting CostsHealth Care
6 Reasons Obamacare is a Failure
Lower costs? Improved access? Six years later, the Affordable Care Act still falls painfully short of these noble goals. Years after most of the ACA's “goodies” have been implemented,…
Media
Read More: 6 Reasons Obamacare is a FailureGovernment Accountability
Big Win for Transparency
One year ago, Governor Tom Wolf began negotiating contracts worth billions of dollars with state employee unions. Despite his rhetoric about improving government transparency, these negotiations took place behind closed doors.
Media
Read More: Big Win for TransparencyState Budget
Support for Wolf’s Hostage-Taking Is Breaking
Last week, Gov. Wolf indicated he plans to fully veto yet another budget. He said if schools face a “short term shutdown,” that could be “a good thing.” Now, he’s realizing…
Media
Read More: Support for Wolf’s Hostage-Taking Is BreakingEducation
Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?
Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding? Districts Nearing Financial Collapse as Governor Threatens Veto March 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nearly one week after the legislature voted to send…
Press Release
Read More: Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?Government Accountability
House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency
House Passes Historic Government Union Contract Transparency Would Lift Veil of Cost Secrecy from Government Union Deals March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed…
Press Release
Read More: House Passes Historic Government Union Contract TransparencyHealth Care
6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary
6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary Problems Persist as Health Care System Flounders March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Lower costs? Improved access? Promises made—and broken—in the…
Press Release
Read More: 6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th AnniversaryRegulation
PA Faces Another Costly EPA Mandate
President Obama’s energy tax—also known as the Clean Power Plan—is just one of many EPA mandates stifling Pennsylvania’s economy. One mandate in particular imposes enormous costs on Pennsylvania farmers and…
Media
Read More: PA Faces Another Costly EPA MandateState Budget
What Is Wolf’s Plan?
In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Wolf stated, “But if you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It’s not good enough…
Media
Read More: What Is Wolf’s Plan?