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
McIlhinney Renews Hope for Liquor Privatization!
On Tuesday, Senator Chuck McIlhinney appeared on The Dom Giordano Program on 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia to discuss liquor privatization—giving taxpayers and consumers renewed hope that Pennsylvania may finally…
Media
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Does Early Childhood Education Benefit Students?
Gov. Corbett recently proposed an $11.4 million increase in the early childhood education budget, which means Pennsylvania could spend a total of $348.4 million on early…
Media
Read More: Does Early Childhood Education Benefit Students?Taxes & Economy
Name Change Won’t Fix Welfare
Pennsylvania’s welfare system is broken, and significant reforms are needed to help lift individuals out of poverty. Changing the name of the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of…
Media
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Pa. Senate unveils transportation plan, fees would increase
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. Senate unveils transportation plan, fees would increaseRegulation
Talking Pensions with Rep. Gabler
In CF‘s latest Google+ Hangout, we talk with Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield and Elk) about the latest on Pennsylvania’s pension crisis, how it will affect taxpayers, and what we…
Media
Read More: Talking Pensions with Rep. GablerRegulation
Are You a Bootlegger?
If you’ve ever bought alcohol in other states and brought it back into Pennsylvania to drink, you’re a bootlegger. You’ve broken a state law….but you’re certainly not alone. As a…
Media
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Knowles pushes to use liquor privatization money to fix state’s roads and bridges
Media Hit
Read More: Knowles pushes to use liquor privatization money to fix state’s roads and bridgesState Budget
Budget Facts 2013: Spending Increases By Department
Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Budget Facts 2013: Spending Increases By DepartmentWelfare
Reforms Bringing Sanity to Welfare
Last year the Pa. Department of Public Welfare implemented—and Commonwealth Foundation touted—a new asset test on food stamps to ensure those with means were not benefiting from programs intended…
Media
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Public Pension Crisis Averted?
Has Pennsylvania’s public pension crisis been averted? Not by a long shot. This weekend, the Tribune-Review heralded a $69 million budget surplus in the Pennsylvania School…
Media
Read More: Public Pension Crisis Averted?Taxes & Economy
Jobs Killed by Lack of Freedom
Earlier this week, GE announced plans to move 950 jobs from Erie, Pa. to Texas. What is one of the key reasons Pennsylvania continues to lose jobs and population…
Media
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Mailbag: Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis
Several readers wrote in with questions on my Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed from Sunday, “Pension Crisis is Going to Hit Hard.” Here are answers to some of the most common…
Media
Read More: Mailbag: Pennsylvania’s Pension CrisisRegulation
Fact Check: Liquor Liberty in Washington
In 2011, voters in Washington State approved a ballot measure to privatize the state wholesale and retail liquor monopoly, allowing private retailers to sell liquor. Unlike Pennsylvania, wine was already…
Media
Read More: Fact Check: Liquor Liberty in WashingtonTaxes & Economy
Free-market Gas Outshines Subsidized Solar
One news story highlights hundreds of jobs lost and millions of taxpayer dollars down the drain via corporate welfare. Another celebrates millions of new state revenue and free market job…
Media
Read More: Free-market Gas Outshines Subsidized SolarRegulation
Millions Blown in Border Bleed
It’s time for another look at common myths opponents use against getting the government out of the booze businesses. Find more myths debunked here and here. Myth #5:…
Media
Read More: Millions Blown in Border BleedRegulation
Protect Pennsylvanians from Pension Tsunami
Pennsylvania's pension crisis is about to hit Pennsylvania homeowners and taxpayers, and the results won't be pretty.
Commentary
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