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.” 

Health Care

Washington isn’t Interested in Fixing Medicaid

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 4, 2014

“We have been legitimately working very hard with them and frankly, I’m very disappointed with the turn in discussions in the last week,” said Governor Corbett (paywall) on the federal…

Media

Read More: Washington isn’t Interested in Fixing Medicaid

Regulation

Booze Monopoly Bad for Business

  • April 1, 2014

This winter, a snow storm knocked the power out at the Continental Tavern, but Frank used a generator to keep his doors open and his customers in good spirits. The…

Commentary

Read More: Booze Monopoly Bad for Business

Health Care

Obamacare Fails to Deliver on Key Promises

  • March 31, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Obamacare Fails to Deliver on Key Promises More Pennsylvanians have lost coverage than gained because of Obamacare March 31, 2014,…

Press Release

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Public Union Democracy

Are Teachers’ Union Dues Used for Politics?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2014

Did you see the PSEA’s latest Voice magazine? It features a full two-page article, claiming, among other things, that “no dues money is given to candidates.” This is true…

Media

Read More: Are Teachers’ Union Dues Used for Politics?

Health Care

Protected from Obamacare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 31, 2014

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act promised to provide more affordable and better health care for all. Unfortunately, the law has delivered just the opposite—so much so that President…

Media

Read More: Protected from Obamacare

Education

Playing the Education Lottery

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2014

Last month, families from across Pennsylvania waited anxiously to hear if they had finally won the lottery. But these hopeful parents weren’t looking to win the MegaMillions—they were hoping for…

Commentary

Read More: Playing the Education Lottery

Regulation

NFIB Study Finds PA Minimum Wage Bills Kill Jobs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 28, 2014

Thanks to a recent minimum wage increase, 61 percent of New Jersey businesses are likely to raise their prices. In addition, a Congressional Budget Office analysis found increasing…

Media

Read More: NFIB Study Finds PA Minimum Wage Bills Kill Jobs

Public Union Democracy

Resolved: Pass Paycheck Protection

  • March 27, 2014

Across Pennsylvania, elected officials are passing resolutions urging the state legislature to act on paycheck protection legislation. Below is a list of bold government leaders who’ve resolved to do what…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Union Bosses? Paycheck Protection Deceptions

  • March 21, 2014

CF President Matt Brouillette and Simon Campbell of Pennsylvanians for Union Reform recently appeared on  Business Matters to debate government union bosses Wendell Young IV of UFCW 1776…

Media

Read More: Union Bosses? Paycheck Protection Deceptions

Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage, Minimum Opportunity

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 21, 2014

In 2007, the Philadelphia Youth Network needed to cut 1,100 jobs for inner-city teens. Why? Because they couldn’t afford to place as many teens in jobs under the higher minimum…

Media

Read More: Minimum Wage, Minimum Opportunity