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.”
In Nevada, your child’s school records could cost $10K
Topics on this page Nevada…
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Lights, cameras, tax breaks! PA House OKs more subsidies for Hollywood
Topics on this page Hollywood…
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Ignoring Pension Costs Won’t Work
We’ve mentioned before the big lie of “$1 billion cut from education.” Part of the reason that lie continues is that union executives ignore a big chunk of education…
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Read More: Ignoring Pension Costs Won’t WorkPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Union Executives Ignore Law, Harm Workers & Taxpayers
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Gov. Union Executives Ignore Law, Harm Workers and Taxpayers Play Fast and Loose With Members’ Money, Fail to Register as…
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Read More: Gov. Union Executives Ignore Law, Harm Workers & TaxpayersPublic Union Democracy
Top 5 Reasons We Need a Paycheck Protection Law
Occasionally I get asked why we need a state law preventing taxpayer resources from being used to collect union political money (“paycheck protection“), when local government can choose to…
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Raise the minimum wage, retard the jobs recovery
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State pension funds pose big problem for next governor
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Read More: State pension funds pose big problem for next governorHealth Care
A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare Reform
Pennsylvania is facing an estimated $1.2 billion deficit next fiscal year. To bring the budget into balance without tax increases or borrowing, spending reforms must be implemented. In our…
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School Spending is the Issue
My letter to the editor in yesterday’s York Daily Record addresses some inaccuracies about education spending in Pennsylvania. Your editorial on education funding (“Funding formula a good…
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Advocates urge minimum wage increase in Pennsylvania
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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School spending is the real issue (letter)
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Pennsylvania’s Anti-Privatization Propaganda
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Fewer Districts Seek Big Property Tax Hikes
Government union leaders like to claim mythical state education funding cuts caused widespread school property tax increases. But new data shows fewer school districts are actually receiving exceptions…
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As the Senate leaves town without a plan, many wonder if liquor privatization is dead in the water
Topics on this page United States Senate…
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Work continues to ease stress on charter schools
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Expert presents plan for state pension reform
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Consultant at W-B luncheon: Can’t fix public pension problems with ‘magic’
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Read More: Consultant at W-B luncheon: Can’t fix public pension problems with ‘magic’Taxes & Economy
Minimum Wage Backers Leave Young Minorities Behind
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Minimum Wage Backers Leave Young Minorities Behind Wage mandates push black youth out of the job market Today, Big Labor-backed groups will rally to…
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Read More: Minimum Wage Backers Leave Young Minorities BehindTaxes & Economy
Dangers of a Severance Tax
Given the fiscal challenges facing the state, many advocacy groups are calling for new taxes on natural gas. However, lawmakers should be aware that a severance tax will make Pennsylvania…
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Nutter to city contractors, subcontractors: Pay minimum wage of $10.88
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Read More: Nutter to city contractors, subcontractors: Pay minimum wage of $10.88State Budget
A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
We have been warned: Pennsylvania is on a path to higher taxes, fewer jobs, more debt, and a lower standard of living if the state does not rein in…
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