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
Pennsylvania Stuck in Prohibition
Eighty years ago, baseball was still segregated, Social Security was non-existent and it was illegal to buy alcohol in the United States. Times have changed, and Prohibition has since ended…
Commentary
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Renewables waste much, produce little: PennLive letters
Topics on this page The Patriot-News…
Media Hit
Read More: Renewables waste much, produce little: PennLive lettersPublic Union Democracy
Of Unions and “Limited Resources”
After a lament in the American Prospect about how the Left is being outmatched and left behind in state-based advocacy, now The Nation has chimed in with its…
Media
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How Can Education Spending Be Going Up?
One educator wrote in response to our information on school spending, asking how we arrived at our figures. According to the PSEA, he noted, “funding HAS DECREASED under Mr.
Media
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Your Pension Under the Governor’s Proposal
You may have seen PSEA materials showing your pension reduced significantly under Gov. Tom Corbett’s pension reform proposal. So what does the proposal really do? For most teachers, the “multiplier”…
Media
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Gov. Corbett mulls using private insurance to expand health care coverage
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Corbett mulls using private insurance to expand health care coverageTaxes & Economy
Taking Wind out of the Subsidy Sail
For years, you’ve heard conservatives say the wind power industry would be better off without government subsidies. But now even wind industry advocate and Tang Energy CEO Patrick Jenevin…
Media
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State-federal meeting does not resolve Corbett’s concerns over Medicaid expansion
Topics on this page Medicaid…
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Conservative policy group takes aim at Medicaid expansion “myths”
Topics on this page Medicaid…
Media Hit
Read More: Conservative policy group takes aim at Medicaid expansion “myths”Public Union Democracy
Union Poured Member Dues into Defeating Liquor Privatization
They’re a familiar sight in the state Capitol, wearing mustard-colored T-shirts emblazoned with their union’s logo. Now the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has reported on how United Food and Commercial Workers…
Media
Read More: Union Poured Member Dues into Defeating Liquor PrivatizationEducation
Common Core Questions, School Choice Answers
A new national school standard known as “Common Core” is fast becoming known for superseding state and local authority over public education curricula. Using cutting edge data collection and…
Media
Read More: Common Core Questions, School Choice AnswersHealth Care
Medicaid Expansion Myths and Facts
For our fiscal health, and the health of families, we desperately need the flexibility to allow state officials to design a solution that fits the needs of Pennsylvanians-not an…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Medicaid Expansion Myths and FactsRegulation
Liquor Privatization: Good for Business (Except in Jersey)
Ending Pennsylvania’s government liquor monopoly has some folks worried…like liquor store owners in New Jersey. Writes Jason Laday of the South Jersey Times: At any given time, on…
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization: Good for Business (Except in Jersey)Health Care
Medicaid Expansion Deals Don’t Deliver
Time is ticking for President Obama to get more buy-in on a pivotal part of Obamacare—Medicaid expansion. States are under immense pressure to accept an influx of federal funds in…
Media
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They came for liquor, and left with a proposal
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Liquor privatization effects on campus uncertain
Media Hit
Read More: Liquor privatization effects on campus uncertainRegulation
Drawing Liquor Lessons from the Turnpike Commission
Following last week's House vote, the Pennsylvania Senate has the opportunity to end similar corruption and taxpayer costs by dismantling the PLCB—the Turnpike Commission's cousin in wasted money and broken…
Commentary
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They came for liquor, and left with a proposal
Media Hit
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