Erik Telford

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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

Public Opinion of Liquor Privatization

  • February 25, 2013

A strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor ending the government sale of wine and spirits according to a comprehensive poll conducted by nationally-renown pollster Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3).

Fact Sheet

Read More: Public Opinion of Liquor Privatization

Health Care

Medicaid Harms States, Poor & Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2013

A new report and commentary from the Galen Institute details the reasons why the “free money” promised by the federal government for expanding Medicaid is a bad deal…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Harms States, Poor & Taxpayers

Regulation

Can We Talk?

  • February 22, 2013

Today, CF held our first Google Hangout: A live video broadcast of a conversation between CF experts about the state budget. In under 20 minutes, we hit on Governor…

Media

Read More: Can We Talk?

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians Bleeding Green with Energy Mandates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2013

Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will result in higher energy costs, leading to lower incomes and less investment, and costing the state thousands of jobs, according to a new study…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Bleeding Green with Energy Mandates

Regulation

Leader Launches Liquor Liberty Legislation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 21, 2013

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai put forth a cosponsorship memo announcing legislation to end the government-run liquor store monopoly.  The legislation will be officially introduced on March 4 as…

Media

Read More: Leader Launches Liquor Liberty Legislation

Regulation

Liquor Privatization Myths & Facts

  • February 21, 2013

More than 60 percent of Pennsylvania residents support getting government out of the booze business.  This is broad-based, bi­partisan support that finds even the majority of union house­holds want Liquor…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Liquor Privatization Myths & Facts

Regulation

Last Call for PLCB’s In-House Brands?

  • February 20, 2013

In an interview with the Tribune-Review, Chairman of the PLCB Joseph “Skip” Brion said it’s no secret he favors ending the PLCB’s in-house wine brands. Yep, in case you…

Media

Read More: Last Call for PLCB’s In-House Brands?

Taxes & Economy

Bleeding Green

  • February 20, 2013

A new study from the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University finds that Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards will costs Pennsylvanians millions in higher energy costs.

Poll

Read More: Bleeding Green