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.”
Survey: How to Raise Revenue
How to Raise Revenue…
Commentary
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Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?
The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…
Commentary
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Healthcare problems require personal solutions
Media Hit
Read More: Healthcare problems require personal solutionsGovernment Accountability
Audio: Election Lessons
This week a “Republican wave” swept the country and propelled many fiscally conservative governors to reelection. And in Pennsylvania, candidates that ran on pension reform, liquor privatization, choice in education,…
Media
Read More: Audio: Election LessonsPublic Union Democracy
Missing the Wave
Last night, candidates embracing free-market policies not only won legislative seats across Pennsylvania and our country, but in states like Wisconsin, Michigan—and even Illinois—gubernatorial candidates who made the case for…
Media
Read More: Missing the WaveGovernment Accountability
Why Did Corbett Miss the Wave?
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Why Did Corbett Miss the Wave? Voters rejected persona, not policies, amidst union-funded demonization Last night, candidates embracing free-market policies won legislative seats across…
Press Release
Read More: Why Did Corbett Miss the Wave?Education
Step Forward for School Choice
Geronda Montalvo did not want to send her daughter Zayda to the low-achieving schools in her neighborhood. Thanks to an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship, Zayda is thriving at…
Media
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Is second worst good enough for York students?
Media Hit
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The American Dream: Our Stories
Commonwealth Foundation’s Priya Abraham, Tom Bako, and Abhi Samuel share their personal stories of choosing to be Americans and their work today to defend the American Dream for their fellow…
Media
Read More: The American Dream: Our StoriesTaxes & Economy
Video: Minimum Wage Limits Opportunity
Giving workers a boost in their hourly wages sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it? But, like most government-imposed market restrictions, it has some pretty negative consequences—like higher prices for…
Media
Read More: Video: Minimum Wage Limits OpportunityTaxes & Economy
Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Progress
It may be boring and complicated, but a state’s tax code has a real impact on individuals and families who want to improve their quality of life. For instance, if…
Media
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Lt. Gov Jim Cawley campaigns in Norristown
Topics on this page Jim CawleyNorristown…
Media Hit
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Fact checking Corbett’s latest campaign ad
Media Hit
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Examining Gov. Tom Corbett’s record of no-tax pledges and big tax breaks
Topics on this page Tom Corbett…
Media Hit
Read More: Examining Gov. Tom Corbett’s record of no-tax pledges and big tax breaks
Humor a tactic for political ads in race for Pa. Governor
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Humor a tactic for political ads in race for Pa. GovernorHealth Care
ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care
The federal government’s health care overhaul is quickly becoming “Medicaid for all.” The more we learn about the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) newly insured population, the clearer it becomes that…
Media
Read More: ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost CarePublic Union Democracy
Audio: Teachers & Taxpayers Still Need Paycheck Protection
It’s important to note—especially during election season—that one group of private organizations has an advantage over all others when it comes to funding their political agenda. That group is public…
Media
Read More: Audio: Teachers & Taxpayers Still Need Paycheck Protection
Governor gives out $135M in grants weeks before election
Media Hit
Read More: Governor gives out $135M in grants weeks before electionTaxes & Economy
AP Story Errs on Wolf Spending Plan
A recent Associated Press story questions part of our analysis of Tom Wolf’s education spending and income tax proposals, specifically the notion that Mr. Wolf would have to double…
Media
Read More: AP Story Errs on Wolf Spending Plan