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

Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Condition is Critical

  • Jessica Barnett
  • January 21, 2014

Pennsylvania ranks 42nd in overall fiscal condition, according to a report by Sarah Arnett of the Mercatus Center. The report, State Fiscal Condition: Ranking the 50 States, analyzes states’ abilities…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Condition is Critical

Public Union Democracy

Prohibition in Pa: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking

  • January 17, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Prohibition in PA: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking Gov. union leaders keep Pennsylvania stuck in the…

Press Release

Read More: Prohibition in Pa: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking

Regulation

For Pennsylvania, Prohibition Never Ended

  • January 17, 2014

It has been 94 years since the beginning of the nationwide prohibition on the production, distribution and sale of alcohol. Fortunately, states had the good sense to repeal the 18th…

Media

Read More: For Pennsylvania, Prohibition Never Ended

Education

Philly Experiment Shows Charter School Promise

  • Jessica Barnett
  • January 17, 2014

Philadelphia schools have long battled declining student achievement, sky-rocketing violence, and unsustainable spending levels. Yet, several turn-around schools have managed to overcome this bleak educational trajectory and should…

Media

Read More: Philly Experiment Shows Charter School Promise

Government Accountability

Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 16, 2014

One of the biggest myths used to oppose paycheck protection is the claim “union dues money can’t be used for politics” despite all evidence…

Media

Read More: Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics

Education

Paycheck Protection Benefits Teachers and Taxpayers

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • January 15, 2014

Pennsylvania’s AFL-CIO union boss Rick Bloomingdale is absolutely right that there is a “war on workers” here in Pennsylvania—he should know, because he is waging it. His recent opinion piece…

Commentary

Read More: Paycheck Protection Benefits Teachers and Taxpayers

Public Union Democracy

Who is Waging a War on Workers?

  • January 15, 2014

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, in an “attack the messenger” approach, accused the Commonwealth Foundation of waging a dastardly “war on workers.” Nothing could be further…

Media

Read More: Who is Waging a War on Workers?

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Union Bosses Fight to Control Workers’ Paychecks

  • January 15, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901   Government Union Bosses Fight For Control Over Workers’ Paychecks Union Bosses battle to Keep Using Public Resources for…

Press Release

Read More: Gov. Union Bosses Fight to Control Workers’ Paychecks

Health Care

Five Facts about Obamacare Enrollment

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 14, 2014

On Monday the administration released the latest numbers on Obamacare exchange enrollments. Here are five key facts you need to know: Young Adults are Underrepresented: Young adults (age 18-34)…

Media

Read More: Five Facts about Obamacare Enrollment

Health Care

How Government Unions Support Obamacare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 14, 2014

Government unions such as the NEA and SEIU lobbied for passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will raise the cost of health care through various mandates…

Media

Read More: How Government Unions Support Obamacare