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
Kings of Cabernet Caught Grabbing Grift, Gifts, Golf
So how do some alcohol vendors become wine winners and others liquor losers under a state-run monopoly? Well, a scathing new report by the Inspector General’s Office, broken this…
Media
Read More: Kings of Cabernet Caught Grabbing Grift, Gifts, Golf
Research finds welfare providers getting rich off poor
Media Hit
Read More: Research finds welfare providers getting rich off poorState Budget
State Budget: Fireproofing the Economy or Throwing Gas on the Fire?
Let’s pretend you’ve been financially struggling recently, have spent your savings and pushed off paying some of your bills. But here’s some good news: You have $500 in your checking…
Media
Read More: State Budget: Fireproofing the Economy or Throwing Gas on the Fire?Regulation
Happy Hour or Last Call? What’s the Scoop on HB 11
Ready to toast to an end of the state-run monopoly on wine and spirits? Nearly seven out of 10 Pennsylvanians would raise their glasses with you. Government-sold booze is…
Media
Read More: Happy Hour or Last Call? What’s the Scoop on HB 11
Could the Pennsylvania lottery be privatized?
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Could the Pennsylvania lottery be privatized?Education
Spending Crisis Forces Mom to Surrender Child
If lawmakers were in any doubt about how dire Pennsylvania’s education crisis has become, they need only look to Harrisburg mother Taisha Bartow and her 5-year-old daughter, Alayaisha.
Media
Read More: Spending Crisis Forces Mom to Surrender ChildPublic Union Democracy
Voters: Limit Government Spending!
In a recent poll, Susquehanna Polling and Research asked 700 registered Pennsylvania voters if they would support limiting the growth of state government spending—legislation similar to the…
Media
Read More: Voters: Limit Government Spending!Education
Lawmakers & Businesses Can Rescue Students Now
If lawmakers were in any doubt about how dire Pennsylvania's education crisis has become, they need only look to Harrisburg mother Taisha Bartow and her 5-year-old daughter, Alayaisha.
Commentary
Read More: Lawmakers & Businesses Can Rescue Students NowEducation
Who is to Blame for Schools’ Fiscal Woes?
Many advocates of more tax dollars for education blame Gov. Corbett and “cuts” for budgetary woes in Philadelphia and Reading school districts. But these complaints belie the facts. Over last…
Media
Read More: Who is to Blame for Schools’ Fiscal Woes?Education
What’s in the Property Tax Elimination Bill?
This week, the House Finance Committee tabled HB 1776 until the fall to have further discussion. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Cox, would eliminate school property taxes and…
Media
Read More: What’s in the Property Tax Elimination Bill?Welfare
DPW: No More Tax $ for Limo Rides
In 2007, Western Pennsylvania Child Care (WPCC) spent taxpayer dollars meant to house and counsel juvenile delinquents on limo rides to an NCAA basketball tournament game and the King of…
Media
Read More: DPW: No More Tax $ for Limo RidesRegulation
Top-5 Liquor Liberty Myths Busted!
Pennsylvanians have come together, transcending party lines, gender, economic means and all geographic regions of the state to call for an end to the state-run monopoly on wine and…
Media
Read More: Top-5 Liquor Liberty Myths Busted!Criminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania’s Blueprint for Better Public Safety
As Pennsylvania confronts another tight budget, Governor Corbett and legislative leaders must address the skyrocketing costs of prisons. Obviously, there are dangerous people who should be locked up to protect…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Blueprint for Better Public SafetyEducation
Compromise Would Save Kids, Taxpayers
Politics is the art of compromise, they say. When you have to get at least 102 out of the 203 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to agree on…
Media
Read More: Compromise Would Save Kids, TaxpayersRegulation
Money to Spend? See Where Your State Tax Dollars Go
Legislative leaders and Gov. Corbett have been negotiating a state budget and, according to the latest reports, are $233 million apart in terms of General Fund spending. Why the…
Media
Read More: Money to Spend? See Where Your State Tax Dollars GoCriminal Justice Reform
You Can Spend Less, Get More with Real Corrections Reform
What is it they say about things that are out of sight? Oh, yes, out of mind. That might be one of the reasons why our corrections system has become…
Media
Read More: You Can Spend Less, Get More with Real Corrections Reform
Corbett attempting to change capital fund borrowing
Media Hit
Read More: Corbett attempting to change capital fund borrowing
At 94, former Gov. George M. Leader forgotten, not gone
Topics on this page George M. Leader…
Media Hit
Read More: At 94, former Gov. George M. Leader forgotten, not gone