Erik Telford

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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

The Case for More Educational Choice in Philadelphia

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • March 13, 2015

Will’s family thought he was one of the chosen few: A Philadelphia student who managed to secure a seat at the high-performing Christopher Columbus Charter School. But…

Media

Read More: The Case for More Educational Choice in Philadelphia

State Budget

Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans Out

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 13, 2015

One third of the $675 million in new corporate welfare under Governor's Wolf budget proposal is reserved for alternative energy programs. In this week's House budget hearings Community & Economic…

Media

Read More: Alternative Energy: The Promise That Never Pans Out

State Budget

Wolf’s Tax Plan: Three Things Every Family Needs to Know

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2015

Here are three things to know about Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax plan: Wolf’s budget calls for a net tax increase of about $1,400 more per family of four this year (with…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s Tax Plan: Three Things Every Family Needs to Know

State Budget

Summary of Governor Wolf’s 2015-2016 Budget Proposal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2015

General Fund spending is projected to reach $31.6 billion—the largest spending increase (8.7 percent) in 25 years. Gov. Wolf is proposing to move $1.75 billion in school pension payments to a…

Memo

Read More: Summary of Governor Wolf’s 2015-2016 Budget Proposal

State Budget

Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad Budget

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • March 11, 2015

Gov. Wolf’s budget plan spends taxpayers’ money at $1,000 per second and would burden a family of four with an additional $1,419 in taxes at a time when Pennsylvanians…

Media

Read More: Audio: Governor Wolf’s Big, Bad Budget

State Budget

Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending Plan

  • March 10, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a budget with a spending rate clocking in at a blistering $1,000 per second. That means in the time it takes you to read this…

Commentary

Read More: Wolf’s $1,000 Per Second Spending Plan

Taxes & Economy

Families Benefit from Natural Gas Without Tax

  • Gordon Tomb
  • March 10, 2015

Of the many tax hikes in Gov. Wolf’s  budget proposal, the natural gas severance tax on the surface seems less damaging to Pennsylvania families. But a severance tax could hit…

Media

Read More: Families Benefit from Natural Gas Without Tax

State Budget

Thirty Cents in Tax Relief for Every Dollar in New Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 9, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf touts property tax relief in his new budget, but fails to mention taxpayers are going to pay more—a lot more—in higher state taxes.  Over the next two…

Media

Read More: Thirty Cents in Tax Relief for Every Dollar in New Taxes

Regulation

Lesson from Washington State: Privatization Works

  • March 9, 2015

Is liquor privatization in Washington State a “failed experiment”? That’s the bold assertion from opponents of unshackling Pennsylvania from the chains of a government liquor monopoly. It’s also wrong. Washington…

Media

Read More: Lesson from Washington State: Privatization Works