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.”
Education
Handouts Hurting Poor, Help Up a Better Way
The holidays are a great time to be grateful for the gifts we've received. And, as we remember well, fallen Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney claimed that some Americans have…
Commentary
Read More: Handouts Hurting Poor, Help Up a Better WayHealth Care
Corbett Defends Taxpayers, Rejects State-Based Exchange
Pennsylvania today joined 21 other states in refusing to create a state-based exchange or partnership exchange, one of the tenets of the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to Governor Corbett’s…
Media
Read More: Corbett Defends Taxpayers, Rejects State-Based ExchangeRegulation
PLCB: As Modern as Rotary Phones
When was the last time you used a rotary phone? It seems like a million years ago you were sticking your finger in the dial and painstakingly turning…
Media
Read More: PLCB: As Modern as Rotary PhonesPublic Union Democracy
More Wolverine Lessons
Friday, Charles commented on Michigan nearing passage of Right to Work, in line to become the 24th state where workers aren’t forced to pay fees to a union…
Media
Read More: More Wolverine LessonsPublic Union Democracy
Distilleries Despot Delivers Tinctures Tantrum
Desperately seeking to hold on to a shred of credibility and hope lawmakers aren’t watching the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board majestically implode under “Vinogate,” United Food and Commercial Workers…
Media
Read More: Distilleries Despot Delivers Tinctures Tantrum
Pennsylvanians pay a steep price when lawmakers delay addressing state’s transportation needs
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians pay a steep price when lawmakers delay addressing state’s transportation needs
Did Corbett hike taxes or fees? It’s up for debate
Media Hit
Read More: Did Corbett hike taxes or fees? It’s up for debatePublic Union Democracy
New York? Fuhgeddaboudit. Lansing!
As I write this, most of Pennsylvania’s political glitterati has its mind on New York City, where the annual Pennsylvania Society gathering is underway. But my mind is on…
Media
Read More: New York? Fuhgeddaboudit. Lansing!
What Does $200 Mean To You?
As educators, we’re all working through end-of-year projects and tests with our students before we break for the winter holidays. For me, December brings more than decorating, baking and precious…
Media
Read More: What Does $200 Mean To You?
York 912 Patriots look to future after disappointing election results
Topics on this page New England Patriots…
Media Hit
Read More: York 912 Patriots look to future after disappointing election resultsHealth Care
Lawmakers Challenge Obamacare’s “Most Harmful Provisions”
On Tuesday Rep. Gordon Denlinger sent an updated version of a letter to Governor Corbett urging against the creation of a state exchange and expanding Medicaid under the Affordable…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Challenge Obamacare’s “Most Harmful Provisions”Regulation
Fishing in Barrel Lands Union Support
Unnecessary, unfair and un-American? Welcome to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the government liquor monopoly that union boss Wendell Young has made a lucrative career defending. As papers across the commonwealth continue…
Media
Read More: Fishing in Barrel Lands Union SupportHealth Care
But It’s Only A Few Billion More…
Medicaid spending will increase by more than one trillion dollars nationally over the next decade if all states participate in the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, according to new analysis by…
Media
Read More: But It’s Only A Few Billion More…Criminal Justice Reform
Three of Four Alarms Still Ringing
Late last month, the Independent Fiscal Office released its annual report looking at Pennsylvania’s economy and forecasting state budget expenditures and revenues. The trends remain alarming. Most notably, state…
Media
Read More: Three of Four Alarms Still Ringing
Former Dem leader would set ‘record’ by going to jail
Media Hit
Read More: Former Dem leader would set ‘record’ by going to jailEducation
Why We Launched Free to Teach
We’ve had several conversations over the last year with public school educators. One thing has stood out: Teachers don’t feel like they have a genuine voice on educational and professional…
Media
Read More: Why We Launched Free to Teach
The PLCB should not pass go
Topics on this page Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
Media Hit
Read More: The PLCB should not pass go
Jay Ostrich | PLCB products plot latest slap at consumers
Topics on this page Jay OstrichPennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
Media Hit
Read More: Jay Ostrich | PLCB products plot latest slap at consumersGovernment Accountability
CF Welcomes New Board Member
A leader in delivering compassionate elderly care and longtime Pennsylvania community advocate has been elected to the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors, CF announced today. Jane Leader Janeczek, owner and…
Media
Read More: CF Welcomes New Board MemberGovernment Accountability
Commonwealth Foundation Elects New Board Member
Contact: Jay Ostrich 717.671.1901; cell: 717.649.6547 | jdo@commonwealthfoundation.org A leader in delivering compassionate elderly care and longtime Pennsylvania community advocate has been elected to the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors,…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Elects New Board Member
State pension report gets cool reception
Media Hit
Read More: State pension report gets cool reception