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.”
Taxes & Economy
Regulation or Electrification?
The Wall Street Journal brings to light new documents showing the Environmental Protection Agency operates as an overbearing parent, not a servant of the people. New regulations targeting air…
Media
Read More: Regulation or Electrification?
PLCB: We Didn’t Start the Fire!
Now and then we like to have a sing along at CF. Today, it’s sponsored by the languishing liquor lords at the PLCB who just produced a ponderous, perplexing piece of perestroika-like propaganda. What…
Media
Read More: PLCB: We Didn’t Start the Fire!Education
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists’ Survey Contradicts Real Polls
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association has released a new “survey” claiming that state residents oppose plans to provide vouchers to students. The PSBA’s funding comes from taxpayers through school…
Media
Read More: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists’ Survey Contradicts Real PollsTaxes & Economy
Principles Must Lead Shale Fee Proposal
Before sound could travel from Gov. Corbett's lips to Pennsylvanians' ears, special interest groups and tax-and-spend politicians unwisely laid waste his plan to protect job growth and stave off family…
Commentary
Read More: Principles Must Lead Shale Fee ProposalEducation
Lawmakers Can Save Students in Duquesne
Jake Haulk at the Allegheny Institute points out that Duquesne City School District spends almost $20,000 per student every year (state average is about $14,000). But less than…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Can Save Students in Duquesne
Corbett’s Fee Won’t Fund PennFuture, and PennFuture Isn’t Happy
Following Gov. Corbett’s outline for a Marcellus Shale impact fee, enviro-profiteers PennFuture blasted the Governor’s proposal because, among other things, it “leaves too much money on the…
Media
Read More: Corbett’s Fee Won’t Fund PennFuture, and PennFuture Isn’t HappyEducation
Academic Achievement Stagnates
Pennsylvania students are not making much academic progress according to 2011 PSSA test results. The Patriot-News reports small gains were not enough to keep some central Pennsylvania school districts…
Media
Read More: Academic Achievement StagnatesRegulation
Commonwealth Foundation Creates ‘Liquor Liberty’ Web Site
HARRISBURG, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation launched today www.LetFreedomDrink.com, a Web site dedicated to removing state government and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from its monopoly stranglehold over retail and…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Creates ‘Liquor Liberty’ Web Site
Pa. Welcome Center in Delaware Co. gets a spiffy, new look
Topics on this page Delaware CountyPennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. Welcome Center in Delaware Co. gets a spiffy, new lookPublic Union Democracy
Prevailing Wage Reform Bills Pass Committee
Six bills to reform Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage law passed the House Labor and Industry Committee today, and will now go to the full House for a vote. The state’s 1961…
Media
Read More: Prevailing Wage Reform Bills Pass CommitteeTaxes & Economy
CF: Gov. Corbett’s Natural Gas Fee Proposal Embraces Key Principles
HARRISBURG, PA – Calling it a huge victory for both working Pennsylvanians and those looking for work, the Commonwealth Foundation praised Gov. Tom Corbett today for his proposal that resists…
Press Release
Read More: CF: Gov. Corbett’s Natural Gas Fee Proposal Embraces Key PrinciplesTaxes & Economy
Evaluating Gov Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact Fee
Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal in Pittsburgh today. Corbett’s proposal represents a significant improvement from some of the leading tax and fee proposals. Framework…
Media
Read More: Evaluating Gov Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact FeeRegulation
Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus Drilling
The latest Quinnipiac poll shows strong support for liquor store privatization, Marcellus Shale drilling (as well as natural gas tax); and for the first time asks Pennsylvanians if they…
Media
Read More: Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus Drilling
Panels advised to fix transportation problems first
Media Hit
Read More: Panels advised to fix transportation problems first
Pennsylvania’s public universities have indigestion
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s public universities have indigestionRegulation
Lessons for Pennsylvania from Jersey Shore
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently nixed a tax credit for production of MTV’s Jersey Shore. This is a TV show that apparently doesn’t portray New Jersey in the…
Media
Read More: Lessons for Pennsylvania from Jersey ShoreWelfare
Welfare Funds for Home Bowling Alley
What do bowling alleys, chandeliers, and six-person hot tubs have in common? They’ve all been purchased with state welfare funds. Yesterday Tim Costa, executive deputy secretary of the Department of…
Media
Read More: Welfare Funds for Home Bowling AlleyTaxes & Economy
Transportation Funding Must be Tied to Reform
Testimony of Matthew J. Brouillette to the Senate and House Transportation Committees Thank you Chairman Rafferty and Chairman Geist and members of the committees for the invitation to testify today…
Testimony
Read More: Transportation Funding Must be Tied to ReformTaxes & Economy
Reading is Poorest City in U.S.
Just released Census Bureau figures show Pennsylvania’s poverty rate has climbed, rising to 13.4 percent in 2010 compared to 11.6 percent in 2007, when the recession first hit.
Media
Read More: Reading is Poorest City in U.S.Taxes & Economy
Governor Corbett Right to Disentangle “Impact Fee” from Growing Greener
In the coming weeks, Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to release his “local impact fee” proposal. It appears the governor’s on track to keep his “no new taxes”…
Media
Read More: Governor Corbett Right to Disentangle “Impact Fee” from Growing GreenerEducation
Pennsylvania’s Public Universities Have Indigestion
If you ask them, they'll say they're hurting because budget-slashing Gov. Tom Corbett just forced something nasty down their throats—namely cuts to the subsidies they receive from Keystone State taxpayers. …
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Public Universities Have Indigestion