Erik Telford

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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

Video: Matt Brouillette Breaks Down PA’s Fiscal Problems

  • February 21, 2011

Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Matt Brouillette was recently interviewed by Tony May, a partner at Triad Strategies.  They discuss a broad range of topics including Pennsylvania’s current fiscal situation…

Media

Read More: Video: Matt Brouillette Breaks Down PA’s Fiscal Problems

Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania Prison Postponed, Pork Prolonged

  • February 18, 2011

Yesterday, Gov. Corbett cancelled a planned prison construction project in Fayette County, estimated to cost taxpayers $200 million. In January, Auditor General Wagner called for a halt on…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Prison Postponed, Pork Prolonged

Public Union Democracy

The Tide Against Public Sector Collective Bargaining

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 18, 2011

Earlier this week, I blogged on state bankruptcy and how some believe budget problems can be solved if states are willing to challenge the…

Media

Read More: The Tide Against Public Sector Collective Bargaining

Education

School Choice: Questions & Answers

  • February 17, 2011

The Pennsylvania School Board Association is circulating "Questions about vouchers your legislator should be asking." Others have legitimate questions and concerns.  This Policy Brief answers them all.

Fact Sheet

Read More: School Choice: Questions & Answers

Education

School Vouchers vs Public School Reserves

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 17, 2011

One of the most popular criticisms of school choice is that it would drain funds from public school.  But consider this: Critics of…

Media

Read More: School Vouchers vs Public School Reserves

Regulation

Understanding the Support for Liquor Store Privatization

  • February 17, 2011

On Valentine’s Day, the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimonies on liquor store privatization, including comments from CF’s Nathan Benefield and Duquesne University professor Antony Davies. During the…

Media

Read More: Understanding the Support for Liquor Store Privatization

Education

Philly’s Anti-Defamation League Chapter Supports Vouchers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 16, 2011

The Anti-Defamation League has a long history of opposing vouchers for public school students. As part of that tradition, they object on the principal of separation of church and state,…

Media

Read More: Philly’s Anti-Defamation League Chapter Supports Vouchers

Education

15 School Choice Myths

  • February 16, 2011

In an attempt to thwart efforts to give children better educational opportunities, the public school establishment is trying to divert the attention of policymakers through a series of oft-repeated myths…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 15 School Choice Myths

State Budget

Is State Bankruptcy a Solution?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 16, 2011

What do New York, California and Illinois have in common? They are in fiscal disarray and may soon be asking for a bailout from Congress. Bailing out these states would…

Media

Read More: Is State Bankruptcy a Solution?

Public Union Democracy

Union: We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year?

  • February 16, 2011

Spring has almost sprung – seriously, it’s true.  Want to see the signs?  Pitchers and catchers have reported to the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, it’s looking like 60 degrees in…

Media

Read More: Union: We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year?

Education

Rescuing Children from Failing Schools

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 16, 2011

Chairman Piccola, and members of the Senate Education Committee, thank you for the invitation to testify today on Senate Bill 1. I’m Matt Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth…

Testimony

Read More: Rescuing Children from Failing Schools

Public School Board Members for School Choice

  • February 15, 2011

HARRISBURG, PA (02.15.2011) – As children continue to be trapped in failing schools, despite massive increases in taxpayer funding, public school board members-past and present-are forming “Public School Board Members…

Press Release

Read More: Public School Board Members for School Choice

Education

The Constitutionality of School Choice

  • February 15, 2011

Despite Pennsylvania taxpayers spending $26 billion annually on public schools and more per student than 39 other states ($13,000 per child); and despite a decreasing student enrollment of nearly…

Media

Read More: The Constitutionality of School Choice