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
Time is Ticking
This morning marks the final hearing in the Senate on the House-approved proposal to privatize Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era liquor system. Time is ticking for the Senate to finally end the government…
Media
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CF: Wholesale Privatization Key to Greater Selection, Lower Prices
Contact: John Bouder (717) 671-1901 | JBouder@commonwealthfoundation.org As the Senate Law and Justice Committee concludes hearings on privatization of liquor sales, the Commonwealth Foundation has released the following fact…
Press Release
Read More: CF: Wholesale Privatization Key to Greater Selection, Lower PricesEducation
Cyber Schools Receive Less Per Student
Pennsylvania cyber schools receive on average about 20 percent less revenue per student than school districts spend. Like other public charter schools, cyber schools receive funds only when families choose…
Media
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Cyber Schools: 1% of Education Spending
In 2010-11, public cyber schools cost $319 million out of $25 billion on PreK-12 spending—just 1% of Pennsylvania’s total public education spending. Cyber vs. School District Spending, 2010-11 Total Per-Student…
Media
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Common core delay is an opportunity for real education reform: As I See It
Media Hit
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Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later
On June 1, it will be one year since Washington state ended its government monopoly on liquor sales. To mark the occasion, the Seattle Times has provided a nice…
Media
Read More: Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year LaterPublic Union Democracy
Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?
Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…
Media
Read More: Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?Education
Poll: Support for Parental Choices in Education Growing
A new poll has found a very healthy majority—62 percent—of the state’s registered and likely voters favor parental choice in public education. And 87 percent think parents should have…
Media
Read More: Poll: Support for Parental Choices in Education GrowingEducation
Cyber School Funding in Pennsylvania
Cyber schools currently spend significantly less per student than school districts and only represent about 1% of spending on public education. Discrepancies in cyber school funding are the result of…
Memo
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PA Unions say no changes needed as $47 billion unfunded liability grows
Media Hit
Read More: PA Unions say no changes needed as $47 billion unfunded liability growsEducation
Charter School Rescues Students, Community
What does a neighborhood do when its surrounding school districts are underperforming, or downright violent and failing? Where can the kids go? In the Pittsburgh area, many students find refuge…
Media
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Analyst paints a sobering pictures of state pension woes
Media Hit
Read More: Analyst paints a sobering pictures of state pension woesRegulation
Liquor Monopoly: Turning Citizens into Criminals
Last weekend’s Memorial Day celebration got off to a rocky start for three Pennsylvanians who were issued citations by state police. Their crime? Looking for greater selection and lower…
Media
Read More: Liquor Monopoly: Turning Citizens into CriminalsRegulation
Myth: PLCB vs Largest Wholesalers
One popular myth in the liquor debate is that the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has enormous “buying power” that benefits Pennsylvanians. The story goes that the state is the largest, or…
Media
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Trio of pension changes extend scope of debate
Media Hit
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Fixing Questionable Union Spending, Practices
Following teacher Mike Quinn’s e-mail explaining his perspective on how the Pennsylvania State Education Association and National Education Association spend members’ dues poorly, Free to Teach…
Media
Read More: Fixing Questionable Union Spending, PracticesPublic Union Democracy
Pension Crisis Facts: Are 401(k)s Enough?
Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…
Media
Read More: Pension Crisis Facts: Are 401(k)s Enough?
Analyst: State needs pension reform now
Media Hit
Read More: Analyst: State needs pension reform nowRegulation
Diddy & PLCB: It’s All about the Benjamins
On Wednesday, Harrisburg was graced with a visit from Hip Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, hawking premium Cîroc vodka to Pennsylvania entrepreneurs business owners…
Media
Read More: Diddy & PLCB: It’s All about the Benjamins
Mixing the right liquor privatization cocktail: As I See It
Media Hit
Read More: Mixing the right liquor privatization cocktail: As I See ItRegulation
Privatization Opponents: Distorting or Ill-Informed?
Critics of liquor store privatization claim that a CDC study suggests liquor privatization would result in greater social harms. The problem: The flawed study doesn’t support that claim, and…
Media
Read More: Privatization Opponents: Distorting or Ill-Informed?