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
Will Medicaid Expansion Boost Pennsylvania’s Economy?
A new study commissioned by the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania predicts that if the state expands Medicaid, the program will produce $3.2 billion in annual growth over…
Media
Read More: Will Medicaid Expansion Boost Pennsylvania’s Economy?
New Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Compton vows to ‘change culture’
Topics on this page Pennsylvania Turnpike…
Media Hit
Read More: New Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Compton vows to ‘change culture’Regulation
A Privatization Conversation
Today we held our second Google Hangout broadcast and discussed the latest on liquor store privatization, including: What happened last week in the House, how social media activism was used…
Media
Read More: A Privatization ConversationRegulation
Summary of House Bill 790 as Passed by State House
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 790 on March 21, 2013. This legislation would allow private retailers to sell wine and spirits and end the state government monopoly over…
Memo
Read More: Summary of House Bill 790 as Passed by State HouseRegulation
Pennsylvania State Budget 2013
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: Pennsylvania State Budget 2013Regulation
Liquor Privatization Benefits Beer Distributors
In the Bucks County Intelligencer, Sen. Chuck McIlhinney suggests that the liquor privization bill that passed the House last week doesn’t do enough for beer distributors. In contrast,…
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization Benefits Beer Distributors
Taxpayers, turnpike users pay price for corruption
Media Hit
Read More: Taxpayers, turnpike users pay price for corruption
Liquor Privatization: Social Impacts
The PLCB has a conflict of interest-on the one hand controlling and monitoring alcohol, and on the other, advertising and marketing the sale of alcohol. Government control has not made…
Memo
Read More: Liquor Privatization: Social Impacts
Senate players hold Corbett’s liquor plan in their hands
Topics on this page United States Senate…
Media Hit
Read More: Senate players hold Corbett’s liquor plan in their hands
Lt. Gov. Cawley Recognizes CF Efforts in Liquor Liberty Win
Media
Read More: Lt. Gov. Cawley Recognizes CF Efforts in Liquor Liberty WinRegulation
Dispelling the Myths About Alcohol Privatization
The friends of government-run liquor stores have to resort to such tactics as they have neither public opinion nor facts on their side. Here are just a few of the…
Commentary
Read More: Dispelling the Myths About Alcohol PrivatizationHealth Care
Note to Lawmakers: The Power Is Yours!
One of my favorite cartoon’s growing up was Captain Planet. The cartoon’s catchy theme song ended with an emphatic, “The power is yours!” It’s a message all of our state lawmakers…
Media
Read More: Note to Lawmakers: The Power Is Yours!
Medicaid expansion issues to consider
Topics on this page Medicaid…
Media Hit
Read More: Medicaid expansion issues to consider
New Pennsylvania Liquor Bill Goes to Full House
Media Hit
Read More: New Pennsylvania Liquor Bill Goes to Full House
LETTER: Liquor vote could be last call for employees
Media Hit
Read More: LETTER: Liquor vote could be last call for employeesRegulation
Liquor Liberty Victory!
Last night, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives made history, and we were a part of it! Yesterday marked the first time a vote for liquor store privatization was held, let alone…
Media
Read More: Liquor Liberty Victory!Regulation
Historic Vote Huge Step to Liquor Liberty
Members of the House of Representatives made a historic vote today by passing HB 790, a vote to end the state government’s Prohibition-era liquor system in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth Foundation…
Media
Read More: Historic Vote Huge Step to Liquor LibertyRegulation
Who Supports Liquor Liberty?
Today the Pennsylvania House is poised to pass landmark legislation (H.B. 790) to privatize the 80-year-old state store system and end the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) inefficient and antiquated…
Media
Read More: Who Supports Liquor Liberty?Health Care
Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve Later
When the governor released his budget last month, the loudest opposition hinged on Medicaid - government insurance for the poor and disabled. Advocates of expanding the program via the Affordable…
Commentary
Read More: Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve Later
Expanding Medicaid: Eat now, starve later
Media Hit
Read More: Expanding Medicaid: Eat now, starve later