Erik Telford

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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

School Choice Saves Kids, Taxpayers $4 Billion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2011

Critics of expanding school choice in Pennsylvania often claim it will “cost too much” or drain precious resources. But in fact, school choice already saves Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $4…

Media

Read More: School Choice Saves Kids, Taxpayers $4 Billion

Regulation

Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?

  • October 19, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board operates with a clear conflict of interest. It is charged with both enforcement and managing sales. It spends millions to advertise alcohol products.

Media

Read More: Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?

Education

Truth About Failing Schools is Scary

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2011

Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released an analysis updating violence statistics from failing public schools. These 141 schools with data available all rank in the bottom-5 percent based on…

Media

Read More: Truth About Failing Schools is Scary

Education

Analysis Finds Failing Public Schools Racked by Violence

  • October 18, 2011

The Commonwealth Foundation released today an alarming new analysis of school violence that uncovered more than 4,500 criminal acts occurred at the 141 public schools scoring worst in the…

Press Release

Read More: Analysis Finds Failing Public Schools Racked by Violence

Education

Pennsylvania’s Failing, Violent Schools

  • October 18, 2011

Nearly 82,000 children are enrolled in the 141 public schools with available data on violence in Pennsylvania's lowest-performing 5 percent on student proficiency. These schools reported more than 4,500 violent…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Failing, Violent Schools

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2011

The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee held a hearing today on a number of proposals to eliminate, reduce, or change the state inheritance tax. The Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to all…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax

Taxes & Economy

Inheritance Tax Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2011

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, Pennsylvania House Finance Committee Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis for…

Testimony

Read More: Inheritance Tax Reform

Day 28,439: Why are We Living Like This?

  • October 12, 2011

Weclome to Day 28,439 of Prohibition II.  That’s right; 28,439 days have passed since the PLCB was created in 1933 to make alcohol as “inconvenient and expensive as possible.”    In that…

Media

Read More: Day 28,439: Why are We Living Like This?

Education

How Does Your Public School Stack up Against the World?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 11, 2011

The George W. Bush Institute has a new “Global Report Card” looking at test scores for each school district in the United States against students around the world…

Media

Read More: How Does Your Public School Stack up Against the World?

Education

Charter School Funding in Pennsylvania

  • October 10, 2011

Many school districts and other advocates complain about the charter school funding mechanism, arguing that it "drains funding" from school districts.  This charge must be considered in the context of…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Charter School Funding in Pennsylvania

Education

The Learning Revolution

  • Nathan Benefield, Priya Brannick
  • October 10, 2011

Online learning serves a significant and growing number of students, and represents a significant shift in how we educate Pennsylvania's children.  In light of the growth of cyber and hybrid…

Report

Read More: The Learning Revolution

Taxes & Economy

The Occupy Movement’s Wrong Target

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 10, 2011

Now that the Occupy Wall Street movement has gone national, Pennsylvania is seeing its fair share of protests. While they’re still a ragtag, oddly camera-shy bunch with ill-defined…

Media

Read More: The Occupy Movement’s Wrong Target

Regulation

Sens. Browne and Mensch Join in Call for Liquor Liberty

  • October 7, 2011

Yesterday at an Allentown press conference, Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne and Sen. Bob Mensch joined House Majority Leader Mike Turzai in support of liquor liberty, calling for…

Media

Read More: Sens. Browne and Mensch Join in Call for Liquor Liberty

Regulation

Liquor Privatization (House Bill 11)

  • October 7, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board serves as the monopolistic seller of wine and spirits in the commonwealth. Rep. Mike Turzai introduced House Bill 11 to sell off the PLCB's retail…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Liquor Privatization (House Bill 11)