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
Will Gov. Wolf Stay True to “Openness” in Government?
Gov. Tom Wolf’s first week in office included several moves to paint a picture of ethics and transparency in state government. First Wolf issued executive orders banning executive staff from…
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Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job Growth
It’s indisputable that where there is Marcellus shale drilling there has been robust economic growth. Over the past six years, Pennsylvania counties with Marcellus shale drilling led the state in…
Commentary
Read More: Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job GrowthRegulation
PLCB Limitations Shackle Entrepreneurs
“I’ve got products in the pipeline that I can’t sell, because they didn’t get approved,” said Mike Gonze, president of Dreadnought Wines in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article that perfectly…
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Read More: PLCB Limitations Shackle EntrepreneursCriminal Justice Reform
Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win
Unprecedented reductions in the prison population, $69.9 million in taxpayer savings, and lower recidivism rates all indicate that the 2012 corrections reforms are working. Earlier this month Don Gilliland over…
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Challenges piled high for new PA secretary of education
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Court upholds collective bargaining process
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Here’s why charter schools are a fresh start for troubled York schools: James Paul
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Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory What Could $200 Million Buy Philadelphia Students? Good afternoon, In a blow to education reform…
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Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms
The school district of Philadelphia saw a $1 billion increase in revenue over the past decade, even as enrollment declined. Yet many claim there isn’t enough funding for basic…
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Audio: School Choice Offers New Direction to Academic Excellence
Pennsylvania’s students deserve the best education opportunities available, and the recent academic performance of York City School District—the second lowest district in the state—makes clear that we can do better…
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Democrat Tom Wolf sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 47th governor
Topics on this page PennsylvaniaTom Wolf…
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Both sides of the aisle react to Governor Wolf’s speech
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On Inauguration Day, Campaign Rhetoric Meets Governing Reality
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 On Inauguration Day, Campaign Rhetoric Meets Governing Reality “Math” will challenge Gov. Wolf’s unaffordable campaign promises…
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Top Lehigh Valley teachers had $95,000 paychecks in 2012-13
Topics on this page Lehigh Valley…
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York City School District questions await Wolf team
Topics on this page York City School District…
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Incoming Gov. Wolf targets higher earners to fetch more income taxes
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State records: Businesses miss job pledges, but taxpayer money at stake
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Gov. Tom Corbett’s legacy figures to be unfulfilled promise
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Wolf, lawmakers: Use bonds to battle deficit?
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How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty Behind
Making “the rich” pay higher taxes will miraculously help the poor. This antiquated idea is the conclusion of a recent paper released by the…
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