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.” 

Public Union Democracy

Taxpayer Collection of Union Political Money is Unique

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2014

Paycheck protection opponents claim that other groups, like charities and insurance companies, are allowed to use taxpayer resources for their deductions, just like government unions. But are all paycheck deductions…

Media

Read More: Taxpayer Collection of Union Political Money is Unique

Regulation

Union CEO Calls Majority Leader a Liar

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 27, 2014

Union CEO Wendell Young issued a press release Wednesday claiming, “there’s no nice way to put this but he [House Majority Leader Mike Turzai] is not telling the truth…

Media

Read More: Union CEO Calls Majority Leader a Liar

Public Union Democracy

What You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Bills

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2014

Taking a strong stand for taxpayers, the House and Senate State Government Committees passed paycheck protection legislation this week. Both committees amended original versions of their respective paycheck protection bills.

Media

Read More: What You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Bills

Public Union Democracy

Another Step Forward for Paycheck Protection

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 26, 2014

This morning, the Senate State Government Committee advanced Senate Bill 1034 to the floor. We applaud the Committee’s determination to make all levels of Pennsylvania government fairer and empower public…

Media

Read More: Another Step Forward for Paycheck Protection

Public Union Democracy

Momentum Builds for Paycheck Protection

  • June 26, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Senate Committee Advances Paycheck Protection State House and Senate Bills Positioned for Floor Votes June 26, 2014, Harrisburg, Pa—Today, the…

Press Release

Read More: Momentum Builds for Paycheck Protection

State Budget

House Plan a Positive Step in Budget Negotiations

  • June 25, 2014

House Plan a Positive Step in Budget Negotiations Proposes Modest Spending Increase and Avoids Pitfalls Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced a no-tax-increase budget bill. Crucially, this bill…

Press Release

Read More: House Plan a Positive Step in Budget Negotiations

State Budget

House Budget Holds the Line on Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2014

Yesterday, the PA House of Representatives advanced a $29.1 billion spending bill. This bill could be voted on by the full House today. There is much to like in this…

Media

Read More: House Budget Holds the Line on Taxes

Public Union Democracy

AFL-CIO Convention Spotlights Dues Spent on Politics

  • June 24, 2014

Yesterday, the House State Government Committee voted in favor of paycheck protection legislation that promises to empower teachers like Bill Frye and John Cress with more control…

Media

Read More: AFL-CIO Convention Spotlights Dues Spent on Politics

Education

Give Teachers the Freedom to Choose

  • June 24, 2014

Let teachers worry about teaching; let politicians worry about politics. That’s been my mantra throughout my career as an educator. But, sadly, most public school teachers in Pennsylvania don’t have…

Commentary

Read More: Give Teachers the Freedom to Choose

Government Accountability

The Real Cost of Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 24, 2014

Critics of paycheck protection claim that the practice of our government deducting union dues and campaign contributions from workers’ paychecks “only costs $100.” That’s based on a letter from Treasurer…

Media

Read More: The Real Cost of Paycheck Protection

Public Union Democracy

Critical Vote Advances Paycheck Protection

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 23, 2014

Today, the House State Government Committee advanced House Bill 1507 to the floor, taking the first step towards ending the taxpayer collection of government union campaign contributions and political money.

Media

Read More: Critical Vote Advances Paycheck Protection

Public Union Democracy

Teacher-Backed Paycheck Protection Bill Moves in State House

  • June 23, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Lawmakers Move to Empower Teachers, Public Employees with Paycheck Protection PA Teachers Urge Bill's Passage in New Ad Campaign June…

Press Release

Read More: Teacher-Backed Paycheck Protection Bill Moves in State House

Regulation

5 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Increasing Taxes

  • June 23, 2014

State spending is at an all-time high, but calls for even more spending persist, despite Pennsylvania’s precarious fiscal situation. Pennsylvania doesn’t need more government spending to improve the…

Media

Read More: 5 Ways to Balance the Budget Without Increasing Taxes