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.” 

State Budget

Disingenuous Jan Jarrett

  • November 18, 2010

The PennFuture president yesterday continued her lamentation over a lame duck legislature’s failure to expand government, raise taxes and kill jobs: “Every day that passes without…

Media

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Regulation

No WAMS Pledge

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 18, 2010

The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania is starting a new campaign to banish WAMs (Walking Around Money) from the General Assembly, much like some members of Congress are attempting to…

Media

Read More: No WAMS Pledge

Public Union Democracy

Where do Union Dues Go?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 18, 2010

Here is a great new video from the Competitive Enterprise Institute tracking the use of union dues. In forced-union states like Pennsylvania—in which employees can be required to join…

Media

Read More: Where do Union Dues Go?

Regulation

Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

  • November 18, 2010

After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…

Commentary

Read More: Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

Regulation

PA House Passes Recycling Mandate

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 17, 2010

Monday’s State House voting session focused on the pension bailout, but in the flurry of activity, a little discussed recycling bill that will cost manufacturers thousands annually and deter new…

Media

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Regulation

Chart: PA Pension Spike Delayed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 16, 2010

After the passage of HB 2497 yesterday, assuming Gov. Rendell signs the bill, and it overcomes court challenges on its constitutionality, the dreaded pension spike will be merely delayed a…

Media

Read More: Chart: PA Pension Spike Delayed

Regulation

Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 16, 2010

Fox 29 Philadelphia has a video story up about the use of RACP money—state borrowing for corporate welfare—for projects such as resort spas, sports stadiums, and Tasty Cakes (not…

Media

Read More: Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”

Taxes & Economy

Gas Pipelines and Eminent Domain

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 16, 2010

There is another battle brewing over the development of the Marcellus Shale—pipeline construction and eminent domain. With little infrastructure in place, pipeline companies are contributing to the Marcellus economic…

Media

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