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.”
Tom Smith: A Patriot and Friend
Tom Smith’s tenacity, courage, and leadership have encouraged our entire team to keep at it on the days when we are tempted to give up. Tom put countless miles on his cowboy…
Commentary
Read More: Tom Smith: A Patriot and FriendEducation
Wolf Claims More Student Hostages
Earlier this week, The Neighborhood Academy, a private school in Pittsburgh, held a rally in the state Capitol to highlight Gov. Wolf’s withholding tax credits for student scholarships. Pennsylvania’s Educational…
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Read More: Wolf Claims More Student HostagesState Budget
Audio: Gov. Wolf Goes Down Swinging
Last week, Gov. Wolf struck out after his third attempt to enact massive tax hikes was voted down in a bipartisan effort by the House of Representatives. CF’s…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf Goes Down SwingingGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Deserve a Debate
A dispute in the Scranton School District over the cost of a teachers’ contract is another example of why the collective bargaining process must become more transparent. According to the…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Deserve a DebatePublic Union Democracy
State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection Two-Thirds of Likely Voters Want to End Gov. Union Political Privilege October 14, 2015, HARRISBURG,…
Press Release
Read More: State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Passes Senate
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed paycheck protection (SB 501) by a 26-23 vote. The bill will now move to the House. You can view the roll call vote…
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Read More: Paycheck Protection Passes SenateRegulation
Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax Hikes
“I’m not taking anything off the table” said Gov. Wolf shortly after his tax plan was resoundingly defeated in the House last week. The governor’s refusal to abandon…
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Read More: Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax HikesGovernment Accountability
Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms
Poll: Large Majorities in PA Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms Paycheck Protection, Contract Transparency, Spending Limits Get High Marks October 13, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Critical transparency and accountability measures…
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Read More: Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms
Speak Out Against Pennsylvania Tax Hikes
Budget 2015 Digital Ads Email Form Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Read More: Speak Out Against Pennsylvania Tax HikesState Budget
Three Strikes and You’re Out, Governor Wolf
Nearly 100 days since the budget deadline, Governor Wolf had proposed three separate tax increase plans—each the largest tax hike in the nation. But when Wolf stepped up to the…
Commentary
Read More: Three Strikes and You’re Out, Governor WolfState Budget
Tax Hikes: Wolf’s White Whale
Wednesday’s vote on Gov. Wolf’s tax scheme was latest in a long line of political gimmicks aimed at reeling-in Wolf’s white whale: paradigm-shifting tax increases on Pennsylvania families and small…
Commentary
Read More: Tax Hikes: Wolf’s White WhaleRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Public Pension Crisis Grows
When you assume an investment return rate of 7.5 percent and your actual returns are 3.04 percent you have a problem. If you are the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System you…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Public Pension Crisis GrowsState Budget
Great Win for Taxpayers in the Budget Battle
Today, the Wolf tax hike was resoundingly defeated in the state House (73-127). Repeatedly, Gov. Wolf has failed to convince lawmakers—including those of his own party—to impose his massive hikes…
Media
Read More: Great Win for Taxpayers in the Budget BattleState Budget
Wolf’s Tax Hikes: 3 Strikes and You’re Out!
Wolf’s Tax Hikes: 3 Strikes and You’re Out! Time to Abandon Tax-Hike Obsession October 7, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—This spring, Governor Wolf swung for the fences with a…
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Read More: Wolf’s Tax Hikes: 3 Strikes and You’re Out!State Budget
Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Tax Hike Vote
Today, lawmakers will vote on Gov. Wolf’s third proposal for a tax increase. This “third time’s a charm” scheme reveals that Gov. Wolf has acknowledged…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Tax Hike VoteState Budget
Wolf Tax 3.0: No Relief, No ‘Fair Share,’ Just Higher Taxes
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com Wolf Tax 3.0: No Relief, No ‘Fair Share,’ Just Higher Taxes Latest Plan Raids $750 from Paychecks of Pennsylvania Families October 6,…
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Read More: Wolf Tax 3.0: No Relief, No ‘Fair Share,’ Just Higher TaxesState Budget
Wolf’s Tax Hikes: Version 3.0
Today, Gov. Wolf unveiled a 3rd proposal for a tax increase. This represents both good news and bad news for taxpayers. The good news is that Wolf now concedes that…
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Read More: Wolf’s Tax Hikes: Version 3.0Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Shrinking Population Problem
In The Office finale, Jim and Pam decide to pack up their family and move from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Austin, Texas. While Jim and Pam aren't real, their fictional trek to Texas…
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Read More: Pennsylvania’s Shrinking Population ProblemState Budget
Wolf Demands $1,000 from Families in Wednesday House Vote
Wolf Demands $1,000 from Families in Wednesday House Vote “Compromise” Tax Plan Still Largest in State History October 5, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After months of hyping a “common…
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Read More: Wolf Demands $1,000 from Families in Wednesday House VoteState Budget
Gov. Wolf’s Tax Plan Would Devastate Dale
Dale Kaplan is a survivor. His family-run dry cleaning business has weathered declining volume, thanks to innovations like no-iron dress shirts, and a devastating fire. Now Dale’s 27 year old business…
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Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Tax Plan Would Devastate DaleState Budget
Can You Afford $1,000 More?
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a major tax increase. This vote will be, in all likelihood, on a proposal Gov. Tom…
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