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

The Immorality of Medicaid Expansion

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 9, 2013

Recently, I noted there is nothing moral about throwing more people into a broken Medicaid program without reform. Proponents of the expansion have twisted that statement to claim expansion opponents think no…

Media

Read More: The Immorality of Medicaid Expansion

Health Care

Podcast: Medicaid Expansion with AFP

  • August 9, 2013

Does Medicaid really help the poor? What are the consequences of expanding the program? What are the costs involved for taxpayers? How can you make your voice heard on this…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Medicaid Expansion with AFP

Public Union Democracy

Who’s Strangling Whom?

  • Charles Mitchell
  • August 7, 2013

Jodi Hirsh wants you to believe that a shadowy, deep-pocketed, Washington-based organization called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has a “stranglehold on our statehouse.”  That’s the claim Ms. Hirsh,…

Media

Read More: Who’s Strangling Whom?

Regulation

PLCB’s “Record Revenue” No Reason to Celebrate

  • August 7, 2013

For Release: August 5, 2013 PLCB’s “Record Revenue” No Reason to Celebrate New numbers tell only half the story Harrisburg, PA—Today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control…

Press Release

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Regulation

BREAKING: State Monopoly Brings in Record Revenue

  • August 6, 2013

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reported record revenue and “profits,” leading some to claim that privatization just isn’t necessary. Not so fast. First, it should be no surprise that…

Media

Read More: BREAKING: State Monopoly Brings in Record Revenue

Get Rid of Forced Union Representation

  • August 6, 2013

My name is Robin Fought and I am a Science teacher in Chester County. I have worked in my school district for 17 years and “Fair Share” was never in…

Media

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Reforming Teachers Unions from Within

  • August 6, 2013

I am a special educator because I wanted to teach students who learn differently that they can be successful in school, both academically and socially. I did not become a…

Media

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Steve Calabro Speaks Out

  • August 6, 2013

Steve Calabro: Free to Teach from Teacher Freedom on Vimeo. Topics on this page Steve CalabroVimeo…

Media

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Government Accountability

New Video: CF President on FOX Business

  • August 5, 2013

This morning, CF President & CEO Matthew Brouillette appeared on FOX Business’s Varney & Co. to highlight the public pension crisis facing Pennsylvania and cities and states across the…

Media

Read More: New Video: CF President on FOX Business

Regulation

Copycat Union Letters Repeat Pension Myths

  • Priya Brannick
  • August 5, 2013

In July, a commentary by Matt Brouillette on why pension reform failed in our state legislature ran in several newspapers across Pennsylvania. Now response letters from teachers have been…

Media

Read More: Copycat Union Letters Repeat Pension Myths