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
Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike, Pro-Growth Budget
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: John Bouder, 570-490-1042 Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike,Pro-Growth Budget Taxpayer-Friendly Alternative to Gov. Wolf’s Tax-And-Spend Plan June 30, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today,…
Press Release
Read More: Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike, Pro-Growth BudgetState Budget
Audio: Wolf’s Tax Increase Dwarfs All Other States
Compared to the 49 other states, Gov. Wolf’s budget inflicts a tax increase that dwarfs all others–in fact, it’s 8 times larger than the state with the next highest tax…
Media
Read More: Audio: Wolf’s Tax Increase Dwarfs All Other StatesRegulation
The Myth of the Modest Pension
One of the specious arguments used to thwart pension reform centers on the average benefits of retirees. Opponents of reform claim the “average pension benefit” is around $25,000 annually. But…
Media
Read More: The Myth of the Modest PensionState Budget
Has Wolf Dropped His Unpopular Tax Demands?
Throughout this state budget debate, Gov. Wolf has touted his natural gas severance tax to fund education. And some reporters refer to the severance tax as the “cornerstone” or “…
Media
Read More: Has Wolf Dropped His Unpopular Tax Demands?Government Accountability
Contract Transparency Still Critical
Harrisburg is abuzz as the budget battle continues. With high profile legislation on liquor privatization, pension and education reform receiving much attention, it’s easy to lose sight of a fundamental…
Media
Read More: Contract Transparency Still CriticalTaxes & Economy
Why a Severance Tax is a Bad Idea
As lawmakers work on passing a state budget, one of Gov. Wolf’s top priorities—a severance tax on the natural gas industry—is being hotly debated. Here are six reasons why a…
Media
Read More: Why a Severance Tax is a Bad Idea
Of Volkswagens and Public Schools
In a story by Capitolwire (paywall), state Rep. Curtis Thomas is quoted as saying, “We cannot ask children to give us Cadillac performance when you give them Volkswagen dollars to…
Media
Read More: Of Volkswagens and Public SchoolsState Budget
Family Ties or Government Bonds?
Family ties can bind us together across any cultural or class boundary. Maintaining and promoting them should be our first priority. But while politicians routinely give lip service to helping…
Commentary
Read More: Family Ties or Government Bonds?State Budget
Budget Protects Working Families from Massive Tax Increases
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: John Bouder, 570-490-1042 PA Budget Protects Working Familiesfrom Massive Tax Increases No-Tax-Hike Spending Plan Good for Low & Middle Income…
Press Release
Read More: Budget Protects Working Families from Massive Tax IncreasesHealth Care
Losers Outnumber Winners Under King v Burwell Decision
Yesterday’s US Supreme Court decision to uphold taxpayer subsidies on healthcare.gov brought a collective sigh of relief to Pennsylvanians, like Barbara, who depend on subsidies to make health insurance…
Media
Read More: Losers Outnumber Winners Under King v Burwell DecisionGovernment Accountability
An Update on Union Contracts
Earlier this week, the House State Government Committee moved SB 644 and SB 645—bills which would provide taxpayers greater information about contracts with government unions—to the House floor.
Media
Read More: An Update on Union ContractsHealth Care
King v. Burwell Highlights Need for Obamacare Alternatives
King v. Burwell Highlights Need forObamacare Alternatives Exchange Plans Restrictive and Unaffordable Even with Subsidies Good morning, Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in King v. Burwell that…
Press Release
Read More: King v. Burwell Highlights Need for Obamacare AlternativesRegulation
Strip Clubs and the Case for Liquor Privatization
Strip club entertainment A stay at the Ritz Carlton Pittsburgh Steelers tickets Philadelphia Eagles tickets iPad 2 World Series ticket This is a just a short list of the items…
Media
Read More: Strip Clubs and the Case for Liquor PrivatizationEducation
House Votes to Protect Excellent Teachers
Seniority-based teacher furloughs may soon become a relic of the past for Pennsylvania public schools. On Tuesday evening, the state House approved Rep. Stephen Bloom’s HB 805—the Protecting…
Media
Read More: House Votes to Protect Excellent TeachersTaxes & Economy
30,000 Future Jobs at Risk
Middle class job opportunities are at risk. We all know that strong middle class employment is at the heart of a healthy economy, but Gov. Wolf’s massive tax increases would…
Media
Read More: 30,000 Future Jobs at Risk
Teacher Defies Union Control of Charitable Donation
It’s a different day, but it’s the same story about the PSEA’s treatment of educators that religiously object to union membership. Last year, FTT told you about Chris Meier…
Media
Read More: Teacher Defies Union Control of Charitable DonationEducation
Devil in the Details for New Funding Formula
Much of the reaction to the Basic Education Funding Commission’s final report has been positive—and…
Media
Read More: Devil in the Details for New Funding FormulaState Budget
Who Pays For a Severance Tax?
Proponents of a new natural gas tax—which would be in addition to the existing impact fee (tax) and other taxes extractors already pay—ignore the consequences new taxes will have…
Media
Read More: Who Pays For a Severance Tax?State Budget
How Does Gov. Wolf’s Tax Plan Stand Up?
How out of whack is Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed $4.6 billion tax increase? Pretty far out there compared with the rest of the nation, according to a new report…
Media
Read More: How Does Gov. Wolf’s Tax Plan Stand Up?Education
Government Union Puts Politics Ahead of Teachers
One government union is putting its political preferences and self-interest above the interests of public school teachers. Now, teachers are fighting back. Jane Ladley, who recently retired from teaching after…
Media
Read More: Government Union Puts Politics Ahead of TeachersEducation
Education Commission Proposes Smarter, Student-Based Spending
Education Commission Proposes Smarter,Student-Based Spending Commission Tailors Funding to Student Need, Rejects Broken Status-Quo Good afternoon, The Commonwealth Foundation has long advocated for an education funding formula…
Press Release
Read More: Education Commission Proposes Smarter, Student-Based Spending