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.”
Government Accountability
Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 Election
The evidence is overwhelming: Unions use members' dues and taxpayer resources to push their political agenda. By passing paycheck protection, Pennsylvania can move toward leveling the political playing field, making…
Memo
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Wolf’s Gas Tax Won’t Help Students, but Will Kill Their Job Opportunities
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf’s Gas Tax Won’t Help Students, but Will Kill Their Job Opportunities Natural Gas Industry Already Pays Billions to Fund Government Good morning,…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Gas Tax Won’t Help Students, but Will Kill Their Job OpportunitiesRegulation
Liquor Liberty On Tap Again
Pennsylvania voters have consistently said they want more convenience and choice by privatizing liquor sales. Not only would privatizing the state-run liquor store monopoly grant voters their wish, but it…
Media
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York 912 Patriots to host debate and candidate forums
Topics on this page New England Patriots…
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Charter company will save York’s schools: James Paul
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Council Members Debate Current Ability to Eat, Drink and Be Merry in Bethesda
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Read More: Council Members Debate Current Ability to Eat, Drink and Be Merry in BethesdaHealth Care
Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the Poor
Yesterday’s announcement that Healthy PA will be rolled back in favor of full-scale Medicaid expansion misses the point. Instead of unraveling the few positive reforms incoporated in the original Medicaid waiver,…
Media
Read More: Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the PoorTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale Successes Continue
The stories continue: more jobs, increased tax revenue and cheap energy, all from the free-market production of Marcellus Shale gas. Take last week’s report from the Central Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Shale Successes ContinueEducation
Audio: School Choice is More than Just a Concept
Every child deserves access to the best educational opportunity available to them, especially if quality education is hard to find in their local public school district. School choice is already…
Media
Read More: Audio: School Choice is More than Just a Concept
Study: Rich getting richer, poor falling behind
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Cyber charter schools do a good job despite teacher union attacks
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Charter critics, where’s your better alternative for York city schools: PennLive letters
Topics on this page The Patriot-News…
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It’s GO TIME: Gov. Tom Wolf hopes renaming agency will transform purpose
Topics on this page Tom Wolf…
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‘Efficiency’ office put into motion by Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Read More: ‘Efficiency’ office put into motion by Pennsylvania Gov. WolfGovernment Accountability
No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want Transparency
Lehigh County commissioners are getting the silent treatment during labor contract negotiations, and they aren’t happy about it. Reportedly, the current county executive, Tom Muller, refused leadership…
Media
Read More: No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want TransparencyCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit
The enacted $29 billion General Fund budget (a 1.88 percent increase over 2013-2014) and $71.4 billion total operating budget represent Pennsylvania’s highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget ToolkitState Budget
Pennsylvania State Budget Trends, 2015
The enacted $29 billion General Fund budget (a 1.88 percent increase over 2013-2014) and $71.4 billion total operating budget represent Pennsylvania’s highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…
Fact Sheet
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Why Two Teachers are Suing the PSEA
On Monday, a judge will hear oral arguments in a case challenging the PSEA’s refusal to allow two Pennsylvania teachers to donate their fair share fees to the charity of…
Media
Read More: Why Two Teachers are Suing the PSEARegulation
Five Steps Toward a Balanced Budget
The consequences of overspending have plagued Pennsylvania for years. This year is no different. Lawmakers are tasked with eliminating a projected budget deficit of nearly $1.7 billion, according to forecasts…
Memo
Read More: Five Steps Toward a Balanced BudgetEducation
$35 Million Worth of New Charter Seats?
Philadelphia School Partnership (PSP)—a nonprofit that invests in a variety of schools across the city—is offering $35 million to the School District of Philadelphia to fund over 11,000 seats…
Media
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Republicans in General Assembly identify pension crisis, property taxes as primary issues they hope bipartisanship will resolve
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