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 U.S. Department of Education against education
Originally published at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette More than half of students take at least one course online, and many take more. Because of overregulation from the U.S. Department of…
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Governor Shapiro’s Executive Orders Aren’t a Substitute for Real Regulatory Reform
Harrisburg, PA, November 19, 2024 — Gov. Josh Shapiro today issued an executive order to establish a so-called “fast track” for permits for economic development and infrastructure projects. Commonwealth Foundation Director…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Executive Orders Aren’t a Substitute for Real Regulatory ReformState Budget
How to Fix Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Dilemma
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvanians just elected 228 state senators and representatives. These candidates-turned-lawmakers spent the past several months doing all the challenging work of campaigning: giving speeches, knocking…
Media Hit
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How Republicans should change Washington
Originally published in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette With their recent victories, President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans received a new mandate to act. But what does this mandate entail? Hints…
Media Hit
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S2: E9 Featuring Commonwealth Foundation Sr. Education Analyst Rachel Langan
You’re in for a treat! In this episode of School Choice Report, host David Hardy interviews Rachel Langan, Senior Education Policy Analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation, about Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement…
Media
Read More: S2: E9 Featuring Commonwealth Foundation Sr. Education Analyst Rachel LanganPublic Union Democracy
Challenging Exclusive Representation: A Fight for Free Speech and Union Accountability
In this episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report, host David R. Osborne interviews Nathan McGrath, President and General Counsel of The Fairness Center, about a potential Supreme Court case…
Podcast
Read More: Challenging Exclusive Representation: A Fight for Free Speech and Union AccountabilityEnergy
André Béliveau in National Review: Fracking Mattered in 2024
Harrisburg, Pa, November 12, 2024 – Fracking played a major role in determining the winners and losers of Pennsylvania federal races, wrote Commonwealth Foundation senior manager for Energy Policy André Béliveau in National…
Press Release
Read More: André Béliveau in National Review: Fracking Mattered in 2024Energy
Fracking Is Key in the Keystone State — in 2024 and Beyond
Originally published at National Review Fracking was front and center in this year’s election, especially in the energy-producing swing state of Pennsylvania. But it is more than a wedge political…
Media Hit
Read More: Fracking Is Key in the Keystone State — in 2024 and BeyondState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget Challenges
Summary Pennsylvania’s fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 state budget has created a $3.6 billion structural budget deficit. Without a major shift in direction, this deficit will persist and grow in future…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Looming Budget ChallengesEducation
Philadelphia teachers — like their students — want educational choice
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Philadelphia schools recently adopted a new multimillion-dollar curriculum — and district teachers sound mad as hell about it. The School District of Philadelphia…
Media Hit
Read More: Philadelphia teachers — like their students — want educational choiceEnergy
Energy Policy and the PA Election
Exploring the critical energy issues on Pennsylvanians’ minds and how Harris’s policies might affect the 2024 presidential race. Topics on this page2024 United States presidential electionEnergy…
Podcast
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Three things to watch as Pennsylvania votes
Originally published at The Washington Examiner Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. But what issues will decide whether former President Donald Trump or…
Media Hit
Read More: Three things to watch as Pennsylvania votesEnergy
Affordable Energy Can Alleviate Pennsylvanians’ Economic Anxieties
Originally published at RealClearEnergy Pennsylvanians are anxious about their futures. However, a recent poll shows a clear pathway to rebuilding optimism in the Keystone State. New polling by the…
Media Hit
Read More: Affordable Energy Can Alleviate Pennsylvanians’ Economic AnxietiesState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act
Summary Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural deficit that will force lawmakers to cut spending or increase taxes. State spending growth far outpaces inflation, population growth, and economic growth. This…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection ActEnergy
Video: Andrew Lewis on How Fracking Could Decide the 2024 Election in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding issue for Pennsylvania voters. Energy matters more…
Media Hit
Read More: Video: Andrew Lewis on How Fracking Could Decide the 2024 Election in PennsylvaniaPublic Union Democracy
Union political spending doesn’t represent all their members
Originally published at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a presidential candidate, citing its members’ differing political views. However, the powerful union still writes checks…
Media Hit
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Pa. Tax Credit Scholarships 101
Overview: Tax Credit Scholarship Programs Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) are state tax credit programs that provide students access to high-quality schools of…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pa. Tax Credit Scholarships 101Public Union Democracy
Unions should be about employees, not about politics
Originally published at The Hill “I’ll be honest with you,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a recent podcast interview. “I’m a Democrat, but they have f—ed…
Media Hit
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Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Media Hit
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEnergy
Three Mile Island Demonstrates the Value of Free Markets
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania In a political environment that increasingly pretends government-imposed fixes are the best answers to everyday problems, it sometimes feels like a rare moment when we…
Media Hit
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It’s Not Just Fracking — Pennsylvanians Oppose Harris’s Climate Policies
Originally published at National Review Fracking haunts Vice President Kamala Harris. Her flip-flop — advocating a federal ban on fracking in 2019 only to recant it in 2024…
Media Hit
Read More: It’s Not Just Fracking — Pennsylvanians Oppose Harris’s Climate Policies