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.”
Regulation
Fact of the Day: PA Losing Liquor Sales to West Virginia
Pennsylvania is losing an estimated $3.5 million in revenue annually from state residents crossing into West Virginia to buy their alcohol. A report released earlier this year…
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When would voters opt to raise their own taxes?
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Marcellus Shale Impact Continues to Grow
Last week, Penn State economists released the third in a series of economic analysis on Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale industry. The report estimated: Private companies spent $5.3 billion on drilling…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Shale Impact Continues to GrowRegulation
Fact of the Day: Where do Underage Drinkers Get Alcohol?
One of the myths perpetrated about letting private, licensed stores sell wine or liquor, rather than maintain a government monopoly, is that there will be a huge increase in underage…
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Pennsylvania union leaders defend top pay
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Corbett panel to study privatizing state services
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Fact of the Day: Underage and Binge Drinking
As noted yesterday, Pennsylvania ranks middle of the pack or worse in terms of alcohol-related deaths and traffic accidents, despite…
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Fact of the Day: Liquor Safety and Government Control
Much of the discussion about ending government-run liquor stores in Pennsylvania is about safety—particularly alcohol related deaths and traffic accidents. But despite being among the states with the…
Media
Read More: Fact of the Day: Liquor Safety and Government ControlEducation
Two New Studies Show Benefits of School Choice
As the debate on school choice continues in Pennsylvania, a couple recent studies highlight the benefits of school voucher programs in the U.S. and internationally. The first study looks at…
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Pa. spending transparency is good for taxpayers
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In H-burg, transparency becomes reality
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Read More: In H-burg, transparency becomes realityRegulation
Fact of the Day: Liquor Store Density
Rep. Mike Turzai’s proposal (HB 11) to allow private retailers to sell wine and spirits would approximately double the number of liquor stores (not including wine kiosks and wineries)…
Media
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Penn State’s Smallest Tuition Hike in Years
The conventional wisdom ever since March 8, when Gov. Tom Corbett made his budget address, has been very simple: The sky is falling! How, exactly? In the form of crippling…
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Read More: Penn State’s Smallest Tuition Hike in YearsTaxes & Economy
Corbett’s Commission Endorses Natural Gas Impact Fee
Today, the Marcellus Shale Commission is voting on long-awaited recommendations on natural gas development. The full report will be available next Friday, but the Commission has decided to recommend an…
Media
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Presentation on Marcellus Shale
Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at an event organized by Pennsylvania Chautauqua on the Marcellus Shale’s development and impact on the Keystone State. Below is a copy of my presentation.
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Gov. Corbett’s first inning had some hits but no home runs
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Brief Summary of Liquor Freedom Bill
Today, Rep. Mike Turzai, along with a number of House Republicans, unveiled legislation to end the government monopoly on wine and liquor sales, and provide adult consumers liberty to…
Media
Read More: Brief Summary of Liquor Freedom BillRegulation
Commonwealth Foundation Toasts Turzai Liquor Freedom Bill
HARRISBURG, PA (07.13.11)-Commonwealth Foundation toasted House Majority Leader Mike Turzai today for unveiling House Bill 11, a law that would privatize the wholesale and retail sales operations of the Pennsylvania…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Toasts Turzai Liquor Freedom BillGovernment Accountability
Government Transparency in Pennsylvania Becomes a Reality
The last few months saw immense partisan animosity and demeaning comments during numerous spats under the Capitol Dome. But amid the fiscal fist fights over school choice, a natural gas…
Commentary
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