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.” 

The PFT Fails Philly’s Students and Teachers

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 28, 2014

PFT claims to stand up for the teachers and children of Philadelphia, but the facts show otherwise. It's time to prioritize the needs of students over the union's self-interest. …

Commentary

Read More: The PFT Fails Philly’s Students and Teachers

Election 2014: What are the Real Adult Issues?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 27, 2014

Observers of the Pennsylvania governor’s race have been treated to a lot of adult-themed content in recent weeks, distracting from a discussion of the real policy differences between the candidates.

Commentary

Read More: Election 2014: What are the Real Adult Issues?

Regulation

PLCB Ethics Scandal (Again)

  • October 24, 2014

Pop quiz! What year is this headline from? A. 2014 B. 2013 C. 2012 D. 2011 E. All of the above. If you answered E., you…

Media

Read More: PLCB Ethics Scandal (Again)

Education

Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

  • October 24, 2014

Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…

Commentary

Read More: Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

Health Care

Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 24, 2014

Premiums are poised to rise significantly in Pennsylvania in year two of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Three insurers announced this week that they are seeking premium increases of…

Media

Read More: Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange

Public Union Democracy

What are Their Priorities?

  • October 24, 2014

At at time when teachers are complaining about having to buy school supplies for their students, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) reported spending $3,764,154 from union dues…

Media

Read More: What are Their Priorities?

Education

Victory for Student Safety

  • James Paul
  • October 23, 2014

In an important step for safety in the classroom, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that will put an end to the abhorrent practice of “passing the…

Media

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Education

Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree

  • October 23, 2014

From education to health care to public pensions, it seems like the answer to every problem—for some—is always more spending. But where does that money come from? And why doesn’t…

Media

Read More: Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree