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
The Razor’s Edge of School Choice
When Vicky Miller and her daughter Emalie moved to Harrisburg because of a job and financial necessity, they considered their educational options. Five elementary schools in Harrisburg City School District…
Commentary
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Money for education hasn’t bought results
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Number Of New Natural Gas Jobs In Question
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania Job Growth Continues to Drag
Today, President Obama will visit Carnegie Mellon University to talk about technology and manufacturing jobs. A important topic, considering Pennsylvania continues to fall behind other states when it comes…
Media
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Sunday motorcycle sales may be allowed in Pennsylvania
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Can Students Wait One More Year for School Choice?
In 76 days, more than 106,000 kids will return to failing and violent schools, unless the legislature takes action this week. Parents like Joy and Lorenzo are…
Media
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Give Voters a Say on School Taxes
Five years ago, state lawmakers passed Act 1 to provide property tax relief and give voters a voice on school tax increases. But since slot machine gambling was introduced in…
Commentary
Read More: Give Voters a Say on School TaxesRegulation
Growing Greener is Corporate Welfare
The Patriot News editorial board has yet another editorial arguing for a new tax on natural gas, on top of the taxes they already pay. While the board’s passion…
Media
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Father Knows Best for Son
Yesterday, we shared the story of Joy Herbert, a heavily involved parent of son, Anthony, 17, a former ‘A' student who was forced to drop out of school due violence. …
Commentary
Read More: Father Knows Best for SonTaxes & Economy
Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling Related
Nationwide workforce data shows oil and gas extraction jobs growing at rates far above any other sector of the American economy. According to EMSI’s latest quarterly employment data,…
Media
Read More: Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling RelatedEducation
Philadelphia Public Schools Among Worst in Nation
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which compares educational performance across all 50 states and major cities, Philadelphia public schools compare poorly, even to other large urban…
Media
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The End of Last In, First Out?
Last month the state Senate passed SB 612, which allows schools to furlough teachers for economic reasons, which is currently prohibited. The House is preparing to vote on a…
Media
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School Choice Around the Country
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are debating school choice for students in failing schools, which models school programs enacted in other states (many of which have been and are currently being…
Media
Read More: School Choice Around the CountryGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania State Government Union Contracts
On June 30, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Government Union ContractsRegulation
PA Ranks 27th on Economic Freedom Index
The Mercatus Center’s annual report of the Freedom in the 50 States ranked the Keystone State 27th in economic freedom. Pennsylvania’s overall freedom ranking has declined three places since 2007.
Media
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These numbers don’t lie: School vouchers are Pennsylvania’s only choice
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Mom Pleads for Help
Gazing down the crowded and bustling city streets of Philadelphia, Joy Herbert watched as her son Anthony joined her to talk about a disturbing past and present in hopes of…
Commentary
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Education Failure Costs PA Taxpayers and Businesses
The Wall Street Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer recently shined a light on the failure of public schools to prepare their students for college-level coursework. According to the…
Media
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Send a Lifeline to Kids in Failing Schools
More than 106,000 children are enrolled in the 144 public schools comprising Pennsylvania’s lowest performing 5 percent on student proficiency. These schools reported more than 5,400 violent incidents…
Media
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