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.” 

State Budget

Governor’s Budget Right on Priorities

  • February 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact:717-671-1901 Governor's Budget Right on Priorities   February 4, 2014, HARRISBURG, Pa—In response to Governor Corbett’s budget address this afternoon, Matthew J. Brouillette,…

Press Release

Read More: Governor’s Budget Right on Priorities

Regulation

Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Jessica Barnett
  • February 3, 2014

Over the past six fiscal years, the commonwealth has spent more than it has taken in.  This fiscal gap is projected to widen as expenditures are on pace to grow…

Report

Read More: Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

Public Union Democracy

Are All Paycheck Deductions Created Equal?

  • February 3, 2014

Opponents of “paycheck protection” are desperate to preserve their exclusive legal and political privilege, which is evident by their use of specious arguments designed to confuse and distract. For example,…

Media

Read More: Are All Paycheck Deductions Created Equal?

Education

Pennsylvania Still Not Making the Grade

  • February 3, 2014

The bipartisan education reform group, StudentsFirst, released its annual State Policy Report Card grading each state’s education policies and demonstrating the need for more student-centered reforms. How did Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Still Not Making the Grade

Regulation

Don’t Stop Halfway

  • January 31, 2014

Liquor privatization has been a promise, a priority and even passed the House last year. And in the roughly 11 months since that historic vote, progress remains stalled. But it’s…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Consensus Growing on Paycheck Protection

  • January 31, 2014

Earlier this week, we spotlighted editorials from the Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily urging Pennsylvania to pass paycheck protection legislation. While national attention raises awareness of this…

Media

Read More: Consensus Growing on Paycheck Protection

Health Care

Obamacare Sticker Shock for Pittsburgh Workers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 31, 2014

The reality of Obamacare hit home for the employees of Simonetta’s Collision Repair Center in McKeesport. WTAE news captured the reaction of six employees who were told their copays,…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Should Public Resources be Used to Collect Political Money?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 29, 2014

My letter to the editor in the Carlisle Sentinel attempts to cut through all the rhetoric and ad hominem attacks by getting straight to the point regarding the debate…

Media

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Government Accountability

Unions Stage Political Rally (Funded with Taxpayer-Collected Union Dues)

  • January 28, 2014

This morning, union bosses and hundreds of union members stormed the Capitol to protect their unfair political privilege. Threatened by legislation that would level the playing field—ending the taxpayer-funded collection…

Media

Read More: Unions Stage Political Rally (Funded with Taxpayer-Collected Union Dues)