Erik Telford

Media Contact
media(at)commonwealthfoundation.org

Request an Interview Headshot

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

Injustice is a Product of Labor Disputes

  • April 1, 2015

Stalking, harassment and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction are all legal activities in Pennsylvania. It’s almost impossible to believe, but yes, these abusive acts are permitted when…

Media

Read More: Injustice is a Product of Labor Disputes

Government Accountability

Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually

  • April 1, 2015

Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901   Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually Artificial Wage Inflation Harms School Districts, Local Governments, and Taxpayers Wouldn’t a billion…

Press Release

Read More: Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually

Public Union Democracy

Prevailing Wage Reform in Pennsylvania

  • April 1, 2015

Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law was enacted in 1961, mandating that state and local governments pay construction contractors wages that “prevail” in each region on projects costing $25,000 or more. This…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Prevailing Wage Reform in Pennsylvania

Education

Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions

  • James Paul
  • March 30, 2015

Is American democracy under assault? That’s a question often asked when businesses exert political influence, unelected bureaucrats misuse power, or reporters engage in slanted storytelling. It’s time to add public-school…

Commentary

Read More: Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions

Government Accountability

Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him Millions

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 26, 2015

Wolf received more than $2.6 million in campaign contributions from six of the government unions with whom he will be negotiating. How does Wolf square these contributions to his…

Commentary

Read More: Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him Millions

Education

Audio: Real Solutions for Struggling Schools

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • March 26, 2015

What are some solutions to fixing the environment in failing school districts? Providing families with the flexibility in choosing where their children go to school, rewarding the best—not…

Media

Read More: Audio: Real Solutions for Struggling Schools

Education

More Evidence: Charter Schools Thrive in Philadelphia

  • James Paul
  • March 26, 2015

There’s a reason why Philadelphia families endure charter school lotteries in which less than two percent of 5,000 applicants win seats. These schools are producing terrific results…

Media

Read More: More Evidence: Charter Schools Thrive in Philadelphia

Education

Changing the Culture at H.R. Edmunds

  • James Paul
  • March 25, 2015

The first Winter Concert was the turning point. That’s when students at The Philadelphia Charter School for Arts & Sciences—formerly known as H.R. Edmunds—began believing in themselves.   “Our kids…

Media

Read More: Changing the Culture at H.R. Edmunds

State Budget

Wolf’s Unfair Tax Shift

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2015

School districts that receive the most in state funding today would also be the biggest winners under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal for property tax rebates. Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax shift fails…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s Unfair Tax Shift

State Budget

Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Property Tax Shift

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2015

As part of his 2015-16 budget proposal, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed using some revenue from increased state taxes for school property tax relief beginning in 2016-17. This policy brief examines…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Property Tax Shift

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government

  • March 24, 2015

Did you know the Wolf administration is in the process of negotiating contracts with some of the governor’s biggest campaign contributors? It’s true. Government unions gave more than $2.6 million…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government

State Budget

Video: Debating Gov. Wolf?s Costly Budget

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • March 23, 2015

Last week, CF President & CEO Matthew Brouillette appeared on PCN’s Call-In Program with Steve Herzenberg, the Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center, to discuss Gov. Wolf’s costly…

Media

Read More: Video: Debating Gov. Wolf?s Costly Budget