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.”
Dissolution Of Detroit Is A National Teaching Moment
Detroit's bankruptcy has sparked soul-searching and hand-wringing among the financial and political classes. But such distress won't be limited to Detroit for long. Cities and states across our great nation…
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Read More: Dissolution Of Detroit Is A National Teaching MomentEducation
PSEA’s Political Cartoon Targets Corbett, Belittles Teachers
This perspective was written by Steve Calabro, a cyber charter school educator in Pennsylvania. This latest political email alert from the Pennsylvania State Education Association—using union dues, I might add—is…
Media
Read More: PSEA’s Political Cartoon Targets Corbett, Belittles TeachersPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions Break Cities
An article in today’s Wall Street Journal illustrates how government union leaders halted any reforms that may have prevented Detroit’s bankruptcy: A major expense for Detroit is the…
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York County wants to raise hotel tax rate, but legislature might say no
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Pa. lawmakers not giving up on Medicaid expansion
Topics on this page MedicaidPennsylvania…
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Matthew Brouillette | Failure to expand Medicaid a win for Pa.
Topics on this page MedicaidPennsylvania…
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Dems believe Corbett vulnerable; experts not yet convinced
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Some beer distributors are on board with privatization plan: PennLive letters
Topics on this page The Patriot-News…
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Read More: Some beer distributors are on board with privatization plan: PennLive lettersRegulation
Liquor Privatization Saves Lives?
A little more than one year ago, Washington state privatized its liquor stores (and liquor wholesale operations). As we’ve noted before, both sales and tax revenue increased under privatization.
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States Use Federalism to Protect Poor
The debate in the Keystone State on the question of whether to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act looks to be ending. Governor Tom Corbett has successfully pointed out…
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Read More: States Use Federalism to Protect PoorTaxes & Economy
Drilling Moratorium Handcuffs Landowners, Stunts Economy
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) continues to stymie development of the Marcellus Shale in all or parts of 13 Pennsylvania counties even as Governor Corbett, Senator Pat…
Media
Read More: Drilling Moratorium Handcuffs Landowners, Stunts EconomyRegulation
“Failure” Leads to Downgrade for Pennsylvania
This latest look at Pennsylvania’s fiscal house shows the urgency of pension reform and spending restraint. Fitch Ratings yesterday downgraded Pennsylvania’s bond rating. This effectively sends a sign to…
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Read More: “Failure” Leads to Downgrade for PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
We’re 39th! We’re 39th!
CNBC just released its ranking of the top states for business in 2013. In case you missed the subtle wording in this blog’s title, Pennsylvania languishes near the bottom.
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Read More: We’re 39th! We’re 39th!Health Care
Obamacare Failure: No More Affordable Care
Dan Lopez is a healthy 24 year old who rarely gets sick, and doesn’t see any reason to spend thousands of dollars each year on something he doesn’t use.
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Commonwealth Foundation ignores pension data that don’t support its agenda: PennLive letters
Topics on this page The Patriot-News…
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Pa. pension sweetens payday for Pitts
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Gasland Part II: New Name, Same Propaganda
Remember the frackaphobic film Gasland (2010) directed by Pennsylvania native Josh Fox? Although a documentary in name, we proved the film to be largely fictional. Despite critical acclaim and…
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Read More: Gasland Part II: New Name, Same PropagandaHealth Care
Obamacare Failure: Goodbye Jobs
Last week, the Obama administration tried to sneak through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) bombshell—the delay of the employer mandate. What does this mean? Basically, it acknowledges that as…
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Read More: Obamacare Failure: Goodbye JobsState Budget
New Video: Budget Season Wrap Up
Gov. Corbett signed a more than $28 billion budget at the end of June—but was it a win for you the taxpayer? CF policy experts offer answers on this and…
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Read More: New Video: Budget Season Wrap Up