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.”
Taxes & Economy
The “Fair Share” Canard
Tonight, I’ll be on WITF’s Smart Talk to discuss why jobs aren’t coming back quicker and if we should allow tax rates to increase (i.e., allow the Bush tax…
Media
Read More: The “Fair Share” CanardTaxes & Economy
Pipeline to Nowhere is Dead
In November, the PennVEST board, heavily pressured by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), approved an almost $12 million taxpayer-funded grant and loan to pay for a water line…
Media
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Pa.-backed challenge to health-care law heads to court
Media Hit
Read More: Pa.-backed challenge to health-care law heads to courtEducation
PA School Districts Creating Online Options in Response to Cyber Schools
As reported in the Valley News Dispatch, Pennsylvania school districts continue to add online options in response to students leaving for public cyber schools. Two things to…
Media
Read More: PA School Districts Creating Online Options in Response to Cyber SchoolsRegulation
New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor Stores
Released today, the Quinnipiac University poll shows that 66 percent of Pennsylvania voters support selling state liquor stores—a rise from the 50 percent reported by a F&M poll…
Media
Read More: New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor StoresEducation
Choosing Schools
Recently, Bruno Manno in Education Week explains that approximately 29 million students are enrolled in the school of their choice (free registration required). This means that over 50…
Media
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Customers must decide: Keep PECO, or try another outlet?
Topics on this page PECO Energy Company…
Media Hit
Read More: Customers must decide: Keep PECO, or try another outlet?
Privatizing Roads Stops Pa.’s Dead End
Most people assume that the maintenance and building of roads is a government task that cannot be handled by the private sector. But, as economist Bruce Benson explains in a…
Media
Read More: Privatizing Roads Stops Pa.’s Dead EndState Budget
The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s Rainbow
These days it's hard enough for Pennsylvania families to think about meeting their obligations let alone piling on more debt. But that's exactly what outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell did this…
Commentary
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Borrowing will leave legacy of high debt
Media Hit
Read More: Borrowing will leave legacy of high debt
Commonwealth Foundation says … Lawsuit lottery must end
Media Hit
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation says … Lawsuit lottery must endTaxes & Economy
Facts Not Fear For Drilling Issue
Below is my guest opinion published in the Lebanon Daily News today, which confronts a misleading letter to the editor addressing gas drilling. After reading Joyce Kunkle’s Dec.
Media
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Drilling issue must be argued with facts
Media Hit
Read More: Drilling issue must be argued with facts
State to seek $650 million for projects
Media Hit
Read More: State to seek $650 million for projects
State Capitol workers paid to stay home on Inauguration Day
Topics on this page United States Capitol…
Media Hit
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Most local lawmakers giving back pay raise
Media Hit
Read More: Most local lawmakers giving back pay raiseTaxes & Economy
I Got Your Energy Security Right Here
The Toronto Globe and Mail yesterday reported how vast discoveries of new North American energy sources could “reflect the beginning of the end for U.S. dependence on Mideast…
Media
Read More: I Got Your Energy Security Right HereGovernment Accountability
More Lawyers, Fewer Doctors
Our friends at the Pacific Research Institute have produced a short video series on “Jackpot Justice,” explaining how the civil-justice system has failed to protect good people and…
Media
Read More: More Lawyers, Fewer Doctors
Pennsylvanians will pay $2.2 million for state workers’ day off for Corbett inauguration
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians will pay $2.2 million for state workers’ day off for Corbett inaugurationGovernment Accountability
Legislators Refuse COLA Increase
Despite the fact that Pennsylvania faces a projected budget deficit of $5 billion, legislators in Harrisburg will receive their annual cost of living adjustment (COLA), aka pay raise. Based…
Media
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Few benefits of more employment benefits
Media Hit
Read More: Few benefits of more employment benefits