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.”
Education
Audio: A New Solution for Underperforming Public Schools
A piece of legislation recently passed the Senate Education Committee that would provide a new solution for underperforming public schools. CF’s James Paul spoke with WSBA’s Gary Sutton about…
Media
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School Districts Overwhelmed by Pension Costs
Pennsylvania’s public sector pension crisis is undeniable. Consider the burden it places on local school districts, whose pension contributions increased from $1.4 billion in 2012-13 to $1.9…
Media
Read More: School Districts Overwhelmed by Pension CostsTaxes & Economy
Dubious Deficit Discussions
Just how big is Pennsylvania’s structural deficit? And what does that term even mean? Although some news outlets reported Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders came to an agreement on the…
Media
Read More: Dubious Deficit DiscussionsEducation
District Reserve Funds Continue to Rise
Contrary to claims about budget cuts to public education, Pennsylvania school districts continue to accumulate large reserve funds, up to $4.1 billion in 2013-14. This amounts to more than 15 percent…
Media
Read More: District Reserve Funds Continue to RiseRegulation
Pension Debt Strangles Local Government
Pension reform commands a great deal of attention in Harrisburg these days, and deservedly so. Pension systems for state and public school employees are in bad shape, and reform…
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Read More: Pension Debt Strangles Local GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Letter to Gov. Wolf: Side with Voters, Not Government Union Special Interests
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 Gov. Wolf: Side with Voters,Not Government Union Special Interests Wolf’s Stances Mirror His Major Donors’ at Taxpayers’…
Press Release
Read More: Letter to Gov. Wolf: Side with Voters, Not Government Union Special InterestsEducation
Examining State Aid for Public Schools
State revenue to school districts reached an all-time high in 2013-14, at $9.7 billion. In part 2 of our week-long series on education finance in the commonwealth, take a look at…
Media
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‘Benefits cliff’ traps families in poverty
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Read More: ‘Benefits cliff’ traps families in povertyRegulation
Ten Facts on Pension Reform
Pension costs are ballooning, threatening to consume funds for education, public safety and welfare. Without timely reform, Pennsylvanians will face cuts to services, teacher layoffs, and higher property taxes. Yet…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Ten Facts on Pension ReformEducation
Another Year, Another Record High in School Spending
Pennsylvania spent $26.1 billion on public schools in 2013-14. According to state data, this amounts to a $600 million increase over the 2012-13 baseline. As you can…
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Raising minimum wage bad for workers as well as employers | Letter
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A Solution for Persistently Failing Schools
Amidst a flurry of hearings on severance taxes, incomes taxes, and pension reform, a piece of legislation with less fanfare advanced with bipartisan support out of the…
Media
Read More: A Solution for Persistently Failing SchoolsState Budget
Four Facets of Wolf’s Tax Plan
On Wednesday, I testified before the Senate Finance Committee on the effects of Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax increases. My testimony covered four key areas. 1) Wolf’s plan represents more of…
Media
Read More: Four Facets of Wolf’s Tax PlanEducation
School Spending Update, 2013-14
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released new expenditure and revenue figures for the 2013-14 school year. This memo presents trends in school spending, revenue, pension contributions, district fund balances,…
Memo
Read More: School Spending Update, 2013-14Health Care
Affordable Care Act Brings Unaffordable Premium Hikes
Pennsylvania insurance companies are asking for dramatic premium hikes on exchange plans. Highmark underestimated the cost of care for individuals on the exchange and is now requesting a 23%…
Media
Read More: Affordable Care Act Brings Unaffordable Premium HikesState Budget
Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Hurts Everyone
Despite Gov. Wolf campaigning on giving the middle-class a tax cut, his budget plan will raise taxes for every income group. Disapproval of his tax plan was made…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Hurts EveryoneEducation
Will Tax Shifting Help Public Schools?
As I pointed out yesterday in a chart and blog post, Pennsylvania spends significantly more per student on public schools than the national average. Moreover, increased spending has…
Media
Read More: Will Tax Shifting Help Public Schools?Taxes & Economy
The Invisible Severance Tax
Did you know Pennsylvania imposes a severance tax on natural gas workers? It’s known as an impact fee, but it operates just like a severance tax. The fee…
Media
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Gas tax critics champion, not oppose, progress
Media Hit
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