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.”
Taxes & Economy
Pa.’s Economic Glass Half Full?
Will Bunch’s column in the Philadelphia Daily News last week takes a very negative view of Pennsylvania’s economic climate, based on the premise that the state unemployment rate is higher…
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Busting Charter School Funding Myths
Charter schools are under fire again this month, following renewed criticism from Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner on how the schools spend and save their funding.
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Michigan made right call on right-to-work legislation
Topics on this page Michigan…
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Liquor store union spreads money around
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Critics question PLCB’s decision to market its own wine
Topics on this page Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
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Q: How Do I Resign From My Union
Here is a sample union resignation letter to the PSEA, which represents teachers in most of Pennsylvania’s school districts. Your collective bargaining agreement may contain a “maintenance of membership”…
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Read More: Q: How Do I Resign From My UnionPublic Union Democracy
Private Lottery Management FAQ
To protect seniors from future service cuts, the Corbett administration is seeking a private management agreement (PMA) to ensure Lottery profits will meet seniors' needs. Lottery services company Camelot submitted…
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BOOK OF JOB: Pa.’s unemployed feel tested by Corbett’s belt-tightening policies
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The Grinch Who Would Steal Seniors’ Christmas
A faux-grassroots group funded by government unions is protesting a proposed contract for a private company to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery. The deal would guarantee a minimum of…
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Read More: The Grinch Who Would Steal Seniors’ ChristmasRegulation
Wizards of Wine Hide Behind Irony Curtain
Here in the land of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, within the comfy confines of the Wine Shrine bellows a great voice. “Do you presume to criticize…
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Principles for Transportation Funding
Pennsylvania's roads and bridges need repair. But before taking one more dollar from working men and women through higher prices at the gas pump, lawmakers must work to ensure every…
Fact Sheet
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2012 Hudson Notice For Fair Share Fee Payers
The PSEA has just sent out its latest “Hudson notice” to some 5,000 fee payers across Pennsylvania. The notice includes union financial information and explains how the fee is…
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Read More: 2012 Hudson Notice For Fair Share Fee PayersRegulation
Poor Pension Policy Could Harm Bond Rating
Last week, Moody’s Investor Service released a warning to state and local governments on borrowing to finance underfunded pension systems, commonly referred to as pension obligation bonds. The report…
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Easy come, easy go: Kill Film Tax Credit
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Government Unions Tighten Squeeze
Following the passage of Right to Work in Michigan, pundits are wondering about the prospects of similar reform here in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Inquirer correctly notes Right…
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Read More: Government Unions Tighten SqueezeHealth Care
Hidden Costs of Obamacare Exposed
While much has been written about the cost of the exchange and the Medicaid expansion, a mountain of hidden mandates could cost Pennsylvania taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over…
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Read More: Hidden Costs of Obamacare ExposedPublic Union Democracy
Are You a Freeloader?
Yesterday, Jon Delano of KDKA Pittsburgh asked the question: Could Pennsylvania be next for right-to-work legislation? As you know from the lessons learned from Michigan’s recent passage…
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Read More: Are You a Freeloader?Health Care
Corbett Exchange Decision Right Call
Governor Corbett’s decision yesterday to refuse to implement a state-based health care exchange under the Affordable Care Act (which means Pennsylvania will revert to a federally-run exchange), was the…
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Whether a tax or fee, revenue is needed
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State would lose a lot if PLCB were dismantled
Topics on this page Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
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Pennsylvania, New Jersey, unlikely to pass right-to-work laws
Topics on this page New JerseyPennsylvania…
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