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
A New Teacher Evaluation System for Pennsylvania
After numerous meetings and conversations with constituents, teachers, school administrators and education policy experts, I have come to the conclusion that we must have a comprehensive way to identify quality…
Commentary
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Rep. Ryan Aument & Teacher Evaluations on The BOX
In our newest The BOX Program podcast, State Representative Ryan Aument discusses his role in spearheading education reform in the House with host Matt Brouillette. How would new teacher evaluation…
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Vouchers will save students in harm’s way
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Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Spending and Performance
Following yesterday’s post highlighting Pennsylvania’s performance on the Nation’s Report Card, a fan asked us to chart performance side-by-side with public school spending. The chart below shows the increase…
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WIFM: What’s In It for Me?
"What's in it for me?" Legislators will ask that question from time to time when they don't see the direct political benefit in voting for something controversial. Recently, as Gov.
Commentary
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Nation’s Report Card: How Did Pennsylvania Schools Do?
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released “The Nation’s Report Card,” looking at students’ performance on the National Assessement of Educational Programs, or NAEP, in 2011. In…
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Study: Test scores linked with violence
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Study: Convenience main benefit if liquor sales are privatized
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Outcome of Ohio labor showdown could have ramifications here
Topics on this page Ohio…
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The Real Housewives of the PLCB?
From the directors of such fine films as The Great Kiosk Catastrophe, The Inventory System of Doom, and Big Brother Border Bleed comes its latest house of horrors: …
Media
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Father or State Knows Best?
So who knows what is best for a son or daughter – Pennsylvania government or a parent? While many argue that parental…
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Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating Bills
The Pittsburgh Tribune and Erie Times report natural gas prices are decreasing as we approach the winter months. Rates per thousand cubic feet are dropping across western Pennsylvania.
Media
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Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities.
Fact Sheet
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A Local Look at Marcellus Shale with Rep. Tina Pickett
State Rep. Tina Pickett represents the 110th legislative district—covering a large part of what is now considered “Marcellus Shale country.” She took some time to sit down with Matt Brouillette…
Media
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The Economic Cost of Education Failure
If you don’t have a child in a failing school, you may think that SB 1 and the education reforms it contains are of no benefit to you. Think again.
Media
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Teacher Evaluations in DC Help Teachers and Students
After three years, Washington D.C.’s IMPACT evaluation system for teachers is improving teacher performance and benefiting students. The results (reported by Democrats for Education Reform) are noteworthy for…
Media
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Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor Choice
In the latest edition of The BOX Program podcast, State Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne sits down sits down with Matt Brouillette. Sen. Browne discusses school choice and liquor store…
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Parents to Pa. House: We Need School Choice!
Listen to the lives and pleas of three parents with children trapped in failure factories, who tell House members why school choice is their only way out, their only hope.
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State Energy Mandates Cost up to $440 million
A new study by Penn State scholars found Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will cost taxpayers up to $60 million next year and up to $440 million in ten years.
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Marcellus Shale Impact Fee
Companies should pay for the cost of government they use. Many advocates of a new tax simply want more money for Harrisburg politicians to dole out.
Fact Sheet
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PA’s High Unemployment Taxes
Pennsylvania employers pay some of the highest unemployment insurance taxes in the nation, according to a new study by the Tax Foundation. Tax rates vary based on the frequency of layoffs.
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