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.”
Will the Wagner plan to privatize liquor be the catalyst that finally gets this done?
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Audio: Reforming Pennsylvania’s Pension System
While Gov. Wolf seems to think borrowing money will solve the pension crisis, the commonsense approach to getting out of our $53 billion pension hole is to “stop digging”–i.e., stop…
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Read More: Audio: Reforming Pennsylvania’s Pension SystemEducation
Trapped: One Teacher Tells His Story
Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…
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Read More: Trapped: One Teacher Tells His StoryPublic Union Democracy
“Ludicrous” Union Dues Skim Faces Lawsuits
On Monday, two separate lawsuits were filed in response to Gov. Wolf’s February executive order which opens the door to unionizing tens of thousands of home health care…
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Read More: “Ludicrous” Union Dues Skim Faces LawsuitsPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order Hurts Home Health Care Recipients
Our friends at the Fairness Center (TFC) filed a lawsuit this week defending against stealth unionization of homecare workers across Pennsylvania. In their lawsuit, TFC argues Gov. Wolf’s…
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Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order Hurts Home Health Care Recipients
Proposal to privatize Alabama liquor sales to be heard in Senate committee
Topics on this page AlabamaUnited States Senate…
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Despite setback, paycheck protection still alive in state Senate
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Read More: Despite setback, paycheck protection still alive in state Senate
Secrecy surrounding union contracts’ costs sparks legislation from GOP
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Read More: Secrecy surrounding union contracts’ costs sparks legislation from GOP
Wolf negotiates new deal with unions that contributed to his campaign
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Read More: Wolf negotiates new deal with unions that contributed to his campaign
Senate GOP liquor privatization bill boosts prospects, supporters say
Topics on this page United States Senate…
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Read More: Senate GOP liquor privatization bill boosts prospects, supporters sayGovernment Accountability
Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
State union contracts worth billions of taxpayer dollars would be available for public inspection before being signed by the governor, if proposals unveiled by two state Senators become law. The…
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Read More: Contract Transparency: An Idea Whose Time Has ComeEducation
Trapped: One Teacher’s Story
Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…
Media
Read More: Trapped: One Teacher’s StoryPublic Union Democracy
Empowering Public Employees
The laws governing Pennsylvania’s labor unions are fraught with problems. They confer numerous privileges to unions—government unions in particular—at the expense of public employees and taxpayers. This isn’t how our…
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Gov. Wolf’s Medicaid expansion approved by health providers, eyed skeptically by budget hawks
Topics on this page Medicaid…
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PA Lawmakers Locked Out As Governor Negotiates Deals With Public Unions
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Research & Commentary: Pennsylvania Tax Reform Proposal
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Could Schools Be Harmed by a Severance Tax?
As odd as it might sound, some rural schools could actually be harmed by Gov. Wolf’s efforts to increase education funding by imposing a severance tax on natural gas.
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Read More: Could Schools Be Harmed by a Severance Tax?Government Accountability
Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining Process
Gov. Tom Wolf has an opportunity to deliver a fresh start to Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process. Over the next few months, the governor and his administration will be negotiating…
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