Erik Telford

Media Contact
media(at)commonwealthfoundation.org

Request an Interview Headshot

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

Yes, Vouchers DO Improve Student Learning

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 8, 2011

The Philadelphia Inquirer today reports on a “study”—from a group dedicated to protecting the educational status quo and led by a partisan staffer—that claims that school vouchers have…

Media

Read More: Yes, Vouchers DO Improve Student Learning

Big Government’s New Bogeyman…and those Other Guys

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • August 5, 2011

Media outlets in Pennsylvania have picked up some stories of attack groups “exposing” the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at their annual meeting in New Orleans this week.

Media

Read More: Big Government’s New Bogeyman…and those Other Guys

Regulation

End of PLCB’s Wine Kiosk Perestroika

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 5, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s experiment with wine kiosks—dubbed by my colleague Jay Ostrich as the PLCB’s version of Perestroika—may be coming to an end. This comes on…

Media

Read More: End of PLCB’s Wine Kiosk Perestroika

Taxes & Economy

PA Among Least Attractive Places to Drill in the World

  • August 5, 2011

According to the Fraser Institute’s 2011 Global Petroleum Survey, Pennsylvania remains one of the least attractive places to drill in the world. The state ranks 65, an improvement of…

Media

Read More: PA Among Least Attractive Places to Drill in the World

PLCB Never Fails to Fail

  • August 2, 2011

A hat tip to Fox 29 Philadelphia reporter Dave Schratwieser who helped uncover the tipsy taxpayer-tabbed trailer truth behind the PLCB’s recently discovered waste and mismanagement found in a…

Media

Read More: PLCB Never Fails to Fail

Taxes & Economy

Taxing Gas will Burden Pennsylvanians

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • August 1, 2011

Despite the manufactured fears of disaster and cheers for a unique tax on drilling, Pennsylvania can balance economic growth with environmental protection without imposing a new tax. The true impacts…

Commentary

Read More: Taxing Gas will Burden Pennsylvanians

Taxes & Economy

Debating a Natural Gas Tax

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 1, 2011

Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer features two editorials debating a natural gas jobs tax. The Inquirer‘s editorial board begins its article with a straw-man argument, that tax opponents’ claim the industry…

Media

Read More: Debating a Natural Gas Tax

Regulation

AG Audit Finds Rampant PLCB Waste and Mismanagement

  • August 1, 2011

The Commonwealth Foundation strongly condemned the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today for systematic waste and abuse of taxpayer money and assets following a scathing Pa. Auditor General audit report…

Press Release

Read More: AG Audit Finds Rampant PLCB Waste and Mismanagement

Regulation

Michigan Pension Reform Saves $4 Billion

  • July 29, 2011

Before 1997, Michigan state employees (like those in Pennsylvania) solely received defined-benefit pensions in which employees are assured an annual retirement income. However in 1997, Michigan shifted…

Media

Read More: Michigan Pension Reform Saves $4 Billion

Former Chair: PLCB ‘Socialist’ System, Insulting

  • July 27, 2011

MOSCOW HARRISBURG (July 27) – A big ushanka (hat) tip goes to the Philadelphia Daily News, William Bender and former PLCB Chairman Jonathan Newman today for calling the babushka ugly. …

Media

Read More: Former Chair: PLCB ‘Socialist’ System, Insulting

Taxes & Economy

The Great Frack Attack: The War on Natural Gas

  • July 27, 2011

Much attention has been paid to the efforts of gas companies to influence the political debate through campaign contributions and lobbying efforts.  But anti-drilling activists—while claiming gas companies use their…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Great Frack Attack: The War on Natural Gas