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.”
Public Union Democracy
Union democracy? Not so much
Originally published at The Mercury Another rowdy student group recently took over an Ivy League school, driven by outside agitators who neither attend nor care about the university’s success.
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Wall Street Journal Editorial: A School Choice Revival in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania students trapped in the state’s worst-performing schools have another opportunity for scholarships following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reversal of his previous stance and veto of bipartisan budget legislation last year.
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Left’s “Sue-Till-Green” Strategy Comes to PA
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania When climate activists use the term “environmental justice,” they mean it literally. Rather than legislating and passing laws (as is customary in a constitutional republic),…
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Read More: Left’s “Sue-Till-Green” Strategy Comes to PAHealth Care
Here’s what good health care looks like
Originally published at The Patriot-News Imagine scheduling a same-day telehealth appointment instead of waiting weeks for an in-person appointment. Or for needed surgery, you had access to local…
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Parents and children versus politicians and teachers unions
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Who is more important: children or the teachers union? Like college students cramming for finals, Harrisburg politicians are supposed to pass a budget…
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Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate’s Passage of Historic Tax Cuts
Harrisburg, Pa., May 7, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 269, a bill to substantially reduce personal income taxes and lower Pennsylvanians’ electricity bills. Advanced by a…
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Pa. Senate Committee Advances Lifeline Scholarships for Students in Failing Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., May 7, 2024 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee advanced Senate Bill (SB) 795, a bill to establish Lifeline Scholarships for children in failing schools. Sponsored by state…
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Read More: Pa. Senate Committee Advances Lifeline Scholarships for Students in Failing SchoolsPublic Union Democracy
Why have teacher salaries become stagnant?
Join host David Osborne and guest Christian Barnard (Assistant Director of Education Reform at Reason Foundation) as they delve into the intricate dynamics behind the stagnant teacher salaries despite soaring…
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Shapiro Energy Policy Is a Formula for Expensive Electricity
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania voters are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs. According to recent polling, 80 percent of Pennsylvanians say their utility bills have climbed…
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Commonwealth “Grow PA” Breakdown
Vice President of the Commonwealth Foundation Steve Bloom joins The Dawn Stensland Show to discuss the Grow PA plan for higher education. Topics on this pageSteve Bloom…
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Season 2, Episode 3 Featuring Don Asplen, CEO of Achievement House Cyber Charter School
In this episode of School Choice Report, guest host Guy Ciarrocchi interviews Don Asplen, CEO of Achievement House Cyber Charter School. They discuss what cyber charter schools are as well…
Podcast
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Andre Beliveau: EPA Carbon Emissions Rule in PA
EPA’s Latest Carbon Emissions Rule Is a Raw Deal for Pennsylvanians. New federal regulation would devastate Pennsylvania’s energy industry, increase electric bills, and undermine energy reliability. Topics on this page…
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Sr. Manager of Energy Policy André Béliveau on PCN Capitol Preview April 30, 2024
For more information on PACER & PRESS, click here. Topics on this pageAndre Beliveau…
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Read More: Sr. Manager of Energy Policy André Béliveau on PCN Capitol Preview April 30, 2024Regulation
Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix it
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania is hemorrhaging business, jobs, and capital. Gov. Josh Shapiro admitted the problem: Pennsylvania’s excessive regulations. So, why doesn’t he do more to…
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Voters Aren’t Buying What Shapiro Is Selling
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania As inflation persists, Pennsylvania voters are rejecting increased government spending, according to new polling data released by the Commonwealth Foundation. Inflation and the rising cost of…
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Director of Policy Analysis Elizabeth Stelle on the Bobby Gunther Walsh Show April 25, 2024
Find out more at www.CommonGroundPoll.com Topics on this pageElizabeth StellePolitical communicationPublic policy…
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EPA’s Latest Carbon Emissions Rule Is a Raw Deal for Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, Pa., April 26, 2024 — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unilaterally issued a final rule establishing draconian carbon dioxide emission standards, targeting coal and new natural gas power plants. The rule,…
Press Release
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Don’t ignore the destructive ideas coming out of Harrisburg
Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s a presidential election year, with voters riveted on national politics and issues. Inflation — caused by federal deficit spending — and immigration consistently…
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Charles Mitchell | On Offense in Pennsylvania
Charles Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Commonwealth Foundation. Charles grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs in a family of railroaders, teachers, and small…
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Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal A lot of bad plans on how to make higher education affordable exist. There is Gov. Josh Shapiro’s vague “blueprint,” which lacks…
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Nate Benefield on The Dawn Stensland Show: Common Ground Poll Breakdown
The juxtaposition between the lack of support for Shapiro’s budget proposal (29%) and the massive support for his unfulfilled campaign promises—like Lifeline Scholarships (77%), lowering the business tax rate (81%),…
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