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.”
Regulation
Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia Teachers
Thousands of school teachers in Philadelphia will see their retirement plans switched to 401(k)-type plans next year—and the union representing those teachers is okay with the reform. Shocked? I should…
Media
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Teacher: Forced Union Dues a “Kick in the Teeth”
This perspective on union spending by Pennsylvania public school teacher Rob Brough originally appeared at Free to Teach, a project of the Commonwealth Foundation. I left my teachers union…
Media
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Despite perceptions, food stamp fraud low in state
Media Hit
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False Claims Fuel Charter Attacks
The Education Law Center has issued an attack on legislation to allow universities to approve new charter schools. In a single paragraph, a spokesman for the group makes makes…
Media
Read More: False Claims Fuel Charter AttacksEducation
School Spending Transparency Coming to Pa.?
Pennsylvania earned a “C+” for providing citizens information on how public schools spend money, according to a recent report from the Cato Institute titled “Cracking the…
Media
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ObamaCare: Sub-Standard is the New Standard
“Junk policies,” “sub-standard plans,” “policies not worth keeping” and “bad apple insurance companies” are just a few of the terms used by the President and advocates of the ACA to…
Media
Read More: ObamaCare: Sub-Standard is the New StandardGovernment Accountability
Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCord
State Treasurer Rob McCord received endorsements for governor last week from two government unions—UFCW 1776 and AFSCME. That means big money from union PACs to his campaign. The…
Media
Read More: Political Power Cycle Comes Back to Treasurer McCordGovernment Accountability
TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare
In a scathing investigative report, Chris Papst at CBS 21 revealed a widespread culture in Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare (DPW)—and orders from supervisors—to look past fraudulent claims to enroll…
Media
Read More: TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public WelfarePublic Union Democracy
Video: The Unintended Consequences of Labor Policy
Did you know that raising the minimum wage harms the low-skilled workers the policy is meant to help? Or that prevailing wage laws artificially increase the cost of public works…
Media
Read More: Video: The Unintended Consequences of Labor PolicyRegulation
Let Markets Decide Natural Gas Role
Could natural gas replace gasoline or diesel for Pennsylvania drivers? With natural gas certain to become even more plentiful, many people are asking whether that could someday be…
Media
Read More: Let Markets Decide Natural Gas RoleEducation
Dues Deduction For Public Sector Unions Is An Offense To Taxpayers
It was the last straw for teacher Steve Calabro. When the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) ran advertisements claiming any teacher who didn’t contribute to the union PAC was part…
Commentary
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Pa. pension reform plan hinges on union support
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. pension reform plan hinges on union supportRegulation
Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes Later
Is your family ready to lose a mortgage payment or give up cellphone service for increased property and state taxes? Or would you rather see 33,000 public school teachers in…
Commentary
Read More: Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes LaterGovernment Accountability
PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!
This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its annual report. In case reading a 56-page government document isn’t in your weekend plans, here are my notes: Their stated…
Media
Read More: PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!Health Care
“Free” Medicaid Money Equals More Debt
In trying to persuade states to expand Medicaid, Obamacare advocates are using enough scare tactics to fill a haunted house. From threatening to discontinue Gross Receipt taxes to…
Media
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NEA Funding of Radical Groups Prompted my Resignation
I left my teachers union because I was against the forced funding of political groups that go against my personal beliefs. The NEA/PSEA’s agendas and political ideals are counter to…
Media
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I Could No Longer Back NEA Support of Abortion Groups, Politics
I have been a middle school math and special education teacher for six years. After nearly all that time in the union, I decided last year that I’d had enough…
Media
Read More: I Could No Longer Back NEA Support of Abortion Groups, PoliticsEducation
The Lost Year: How Seniority Harms Teachers and Kids
Rep. Vanessa Brown (D-Phila.) knows what it’s like to lose a good school teacher. For her son, it was nearly a matter of life and death. For years, Brown has…
Media
Read More: The Lost Year: How Seniority Harms Teachers and Kids
Pension inaction hurts midstate taxpayers, teachers: Nathan A. Benefield
Media Hit
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