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
Philadelphia School District Faces the Budgetary Music
It doesn’t take an advanced degree to figure out that something’s rotten in the school district of Philadelphia—or that school choice is the antidote. More than half of…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia School District Faces the Budgetary MusicEducation
Big Government and the Higher Education Bubble
This past weekend I participated with some middleschoolers in a 30 hour famine to raise money for starving families. As we discussed poverty and debt the leader motioned to me…
Media
Read More: Big Government and the Higher Education BubbleRegulation
The Fight for Liquor Liberty Continues
The fight to free Pennsylvanians’ drinks from government control is far from over, according to House Majority Leader Mike Turzai. Rep. Turzai is expected to give a much needed…
Media
Read More: The Fight for Liquor Liberty ContinuesRegulation
States Tap Public-Private Partnerships in 2011
Public-private partnerships aren’t just for roads anymore. Reason’s Annual Privatization Report, released this week, is packed with diverse examples of states leveraging the private sector to stretch tax dollars. In California,…
Media
Read More: States Tap Public-Private Partnerships in 2011State Budget
GAO Sounds the Fiscal Alarm on State Medicaid Costs
The U.S. Government Accountability Office has a new report on state and local government finances. Of greatest concern are the expected increases in Medicaid spending and health care for…
Media
Read More: GAO Sounds the Fiscal Alarm on State Medicaid CostsPublic Union Democracy
Prevailing Wage Pummels Another School District
We’ve reported before about how Pennsylvania’s outdated prevailing wage law imposes needless extra construction costs on local governments and school districts across the commonwealth, hurting taxpayers. The law requires…
Media
Read More: Prevailing Wage Pummels Another School DistrictTaxes & Economy
Feds Tackling Long-Term Unemployment Georgia Style
The Federal Government is taking a page from the Peach State and looking for 10 states to participate in a new unemployment program modeled off of “Georgia Works.” The program…
Media
Read More: Feds Tackling Long-Term Unemployment Georgia StyleTaxes & Economy
What Does the Primary Earthquake Mean?
I’m writing to you from Pittsburgh, which was, in a certain sense, ground zero of last night’s primary earthquake. Last night, I watched Tom Smith—who has made it a matter…
Media
Read More: What Does the Primary Earthquake Mean?Government Accountability
I Did It for Them – Did You?
There’s no hiding it, I don’t even try. I’m proud to be an American veteran and to be a part of something so much larger than myself through serving in…
Media
Read More: I Did It for Them – Did You?Criminal Justice Reform
Unprecedented Prison Population Growth
This is the first installment in a three-part series that will look at Pennsylvania’s correctional system, public policies that have worked in other states, and provide a blueprint to bring…
Media
Read More: Unprecedented Prison Population GrowthEducation
Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania School Revenue per Student
Critics of state spending cuts claim there is a lack of funding for public schools. But from the 1995-96 school year through 2009-10 (the latest year with data available…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania School Revenue per StudentGovernment Accountability
Why I’m Voting Tuesday
I have a confession to make: A couple of years ago, I didn’t vote in the primary. I had started a new job, was taking night classes, and had just…
Media
Read More: Why I’m Voting TuesdayRegulation
Wizards of Whine Crying Fowl
Call me Ostrich, a ruffed grouse or anything you like, Mr. Conti, but don’t call me and nearly 70 percent of Pennsylvanians satisfied with the PLCB’s iron-fisted…
Media
Read More: Wizards of Whine Crying FowlGovernment Accountability
Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!
You've surely heard it said that you and I have a right to vote. Well, I believe we also have a responsibility—not just to vote, but to cast an informed…
Commentary
Read More: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!Government Accountability
The Left’s Latest Witch Hunt
The Wall Street Journal and Pennsylvania Independent both feature stories about attacks from leftist groups against the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The free-market association of state lawmakers…
Media
Read More: The Left’s Latest Witch HuntGovernment Accountability
Veterans: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!
Why should you vote in the upcoming elections? Hear from three generations of combat veterans, all from the same Pennsylvania hometown, who speak of the selfless sacrifice of our…
Media
Read More: Veterans: Let’s Do It For Them – VOTE!Taxes & Economy
The Facts about Fracking and Physicians
Yesterday’s statement by the Pennsylvania Medical Society President Marilyn Heine should put to rest the recent panic over a provision in Act 13—the newly enacted Marcellus Shale legislation…
Media
Read More: The Facts about Fracking and PhysiciansTaxes & Economy
Today We Celebrate PA’s Tax Freedom Day
You might have thought Tax Freedom Day was April 17—the last day to file your taxes—but for Pennsylvania, it’s really today, April 18. Tax Freedom Day is calculated…
Media
Read More: Today We Celebrate PA’s Tax Freedom DayEducation
Union Guts More Teaching Jobs
Yes, the chickens are truly coming home to roost. But before status quo apologists cry ‘fowl,’ economic realities due to union strong-arm tactics and unsustainable benefits programs…
Media
Read More: Union Guts More Teaching JobsWelfare
Why We Are Losing the War on Poverty
Michael Tanner, Director of Health and Welfare Studies at the Cato Institute, published a study that cuts to the heart of the poverty problem in the U.S. Tanner writes…
Media
Read More: Why We Are Losing the War on PovertyEducation
Who are Teacher Unions Protecting?
The Patriot-News published my letter that questions whether teacher unions protect teachers. Union lobbying to create an unsustainable pension program is directly connected to the Central Dauphin School Board’s…
Media
Read More: Who are Teacher Unions Protecting?