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.”
Gov. Walker’s big win could fuel Pa. pension reform
Topics on this page PennsylvaniaScott Walker…
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After Wisconsin, onward to Pennsylvania!
Topics on this page PennsylvaniaWisconsin…
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Corbett’s $1.7B tax pledge banks on jobs
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Read More: Corbett’s $1.7B tax pledge banks on jobsCriminal Justice Reform
Unlocking Corrections Reform: A Summary of SB 100
A Look at Senate Bill 100 SB 100 incorporates evidence-based reforms to make the state’s corrections system more efficient by keeping low-risk cases out of prison in favor of…
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Corbett supports full privatization of state liquor stores
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Gov Love Lifts Liquor Liberty!
Gov. Tom Corbett announced his support for full liquor store privatization today on Dom Giordano’s radio show. Now it’s the legislature’s turn to develop a plan that will free…
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Liquor Control Board worker contract may discourage privatization
Topics on this page Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
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Why Public Opinion is Turning on Teachers’ Unions
Gil Spencer of the Delaware County Times penned a perceptive column yesterday on the waning popularity of teachers’ unions—and how an angry public is wising up to the unions’…
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Read More: Why Public Opinion is Turning on Teachers’ UnionsRegulation
Will Union Contracts Stop Liquor Store Privatization?
Desperate to protect the monopoly that provides his cushy $287,000 salary and benefits package, liquor store union boss Wendell Young IV has launched yet another dishonest attack. Mr. Young is…
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Read More: Will Union Contracts Stop Liquor Store Privatization?State Budget
Block Grants for Human Services a “Godsend”
State funding for county services may soon be streamlined, wasting fewer dollars on bureaucratic largesse and focusing aid on programs that are most effective at helping the needy. Yesterday,…
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Liquor store privatization debate begins in Pennsylvania
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Limit Growth of Government to Protect Taxpayers
We must face a simple fact: The General Assembly will act only when it has no alternative. Therefore, the only way to restrain spending and avoid hitting the fiscal iceberg…
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Read More: Limit Growth of Government to Protect TaxpayersGovernment Accountability
Why Walker’s Win Pushes Principled Pa. Policies
Make no mistake, Wisconsin is sending a message to the Keystone State. If you are a Pennsylvania politician, that message is loud, clear and ignored only at your own peril.
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Read More: Why Walker’s Win Pushes Principled Pa. PoliciesCriminal Justice Reform
Committee Advances Real Corrections Reform
Policymakers moved one step closer to replacing Pennsylvania’s ineffective corrections policies with those that lower crime rates, reduce re-offending, and control spending. During today’s House Judiciary committee, Rep. Glen Grell…
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The Unseen Effect of Cracker Credits
Gov. Tom Corbett is reportedly pushing a targeted tax credit for Shell and other companies that locate an ethane processing plant—often called a “cracker” plant—in Pennsylvania. The credit would…
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Read More: The Unseen Effect of Cracker CreditsGovernment Accountability
Pa. Teachers Forced to Pay for Wisconsin Politics
Want to find out how the Pennsylvania State Education Association is spending teachers’ dues? You chould check out the state of Wisconsin’s campaign finance disclosure site. That’s right, the…
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Read More: Pa. Teachers Forced to Pay for Wisconsin PoliticsState Budget
Getting Rich Off the Poor: Examining Welfare Abuse
Over the past few years, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare conducted a series of audits and uncovered many questionable practices among state contractors. Some providers of welfare…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Getting Rich Off the Poor: Examining Welfare AbuseRegulation
Top-10 Reasons to Choose Booze or Lose
The Terrible 10: Whether You’re a Boozer (drinker) or Chooser (non-drinker), the PLCB Makes You a Loser. Find out the top-10 reasons that government in the booze business is a…
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Read More: Top-10 Reasons to Choose Booze or LoseWelfare
Taking the Road Less Traveled: Fostering Private Charity Care
Our current welfare system is failing our most vulnerable citizens and bankrupting our commonwealth. Despite skyrocketing welfare spending, 15,420 individuals with intellectual disabilities…
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