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
Spending for Higher Education Doesn’t Create Economic Growth
The Coleman Report, published in 1966, and subsequent experience and analysis has demolished the idea that inputs alone are very useful in explaining the output of K-12. As the college…
Commentary
Read More: Spending for Higher Education Doesn’t Create Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
Local Residents Tout Benefits of Marcellus Drilling
While many pro-tax groups are pushing for a natural gas severance fee—or impact fee though no one can quantify impact costs that drillers are not addressing—local residents often have…
Media
Read More: Local Residents Tout Benefits of Marcellus DrillingRegulation
Privatization Could Save Harrisburg
In December, Harrisburg entered into the state’s ominous Act 47 program for distressed cities to avoid bankruptcy. Privatization seems one option to help the city deal with its debt…
Media
Read More: Privatization Could Save HarrisburgTaxes & Economy
We Took U. of Virginia to Court Over Michael Mann’s Records
We (American Tradition Institute’s Environmental Law Center) figured four-plus months and $4,000 was enough to give the University of Virginia to start producing the records we requested…
Media
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Natural gas portfolio needs consideration
Media Hit
Read More: Natural gas portfolio needs considerationTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Not Among Best States for Business
Chief Executive Group released its annual Best/Worst States for Business report, bestowing another undesirable state ranking on Pennsylvania. The commonwealth ranked 39th out of the 50 states, dropping seven…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Not Among Best States for BusinessEducation
Saving Our School Boards
Schools must be able to furlough teachers based on a broad-based assessment of student needs, not a last-in/first-out requirement that ignores teachers' classroom performance, ability to connect with students, grasp…
Commentary
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Corbett reviewing local grants for biz parks in Antrim, Southampton
Media Hit
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Fiscal conservatives give Gov. Tom Corbett’s Liberty Loan Fund idea a failing grade
Topics on this page Tom Corbett…
Media Hit
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In support of Pa. school voucher proposal
Media Hit
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Saccone defends state GOP budget proposal
Media Hit
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“Is Fracking Safe” from Stossel
Here is the video of Matt Brouillette (alongside former Pennsylvania DEP Secretary John Hanger) on last night’s episode of Stossel. Watch the latest video at <a…
Media
Read More: “Is Fracking Safe” from StosselRegulation
Who Owns “Big Oil”?
We’ve previously pointed out that a tax on natural gas is a direct tax on landowners, but a new study shows it hurts teachers and state workers too. “Big…
Media
Read More: Who Owns “Big Oil”?Regulation
Inky: PLCB Paradox Puzzling, Primitive
We give a strong hat tip to the Philadelphia Inquirer today for their spot-on editorial blasting the PLCB’s perilous plan promoting perestroika. Finding absurdity in the new plan to bring…
Media
Read More: Inky: PLCB Paradox Puzzling, PrimitiveGovernment Accountability
Exclusive Interview with Gov. Corbett, and Tonight on Stossel
Right now, I’m writing you from a train leaving New York City, because last night I interviewed with “The Stache,” John Stossel, about the natural gas boom in…
Media
Read More: Exclusive Interview with Gov. Corbett, and Tonight on StosselEducation
The Governor is Right and the Union Bosses are Wrong
I’m in Pittsburgh today, but I can hear the shouting in Harrisburg from here: Union bosses are hopping mad at Gov. Tom Corbett for calling them out in his…
Media
Read More: The Governor is Right and the Union Bosses are WrongTaxes & Economy
Natural Gas Tax for Smarties
Not sure if Pennsylvania should enact a unique and extra tax on Natural gas? here are some important things you need to know!…
Poll
Read More: Natural Gas Tax for Smarties