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
What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?
On Friday, I attended a Marcellus Shale Forum, which featured presentations on a variety of issues, including methane migration, water disposal, and drilling safety. Contrary to some popular belief,…
Media
Read More: What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?
Blog Roundup
Check out these noteworthy posts that showed up recently in the blogosphere: CF’s own Nate Benefield blogs at The PA Guardian about how most polls simply show how uncommitted…
Media
Read More: Blog RoundupEducation
Gov. Rendell Vetoes Education Bill
Last week, Gov. Rendell vetoed an education bill that combined several smaller pieces of legislation. Rendell did not like a provision that would declare charter school buildings owned by…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Vetoes Education BillRegulation
Time to End Public Sector Indentured Servitude
Public service is one of the few places where one still can find a defined benefit pot of gold at the end of their employment. Although defined benefit pensions are…
Commentary
Read More: Time to End Public Sector Indentured Servitude
Back Channels: Tax pledge right thing to do
Media Hit
Read More: Back Channels: Tax pledge right thing to do
Teacher salary numbers fuel the debate: Overpaid or underpaid?
Media Hit
Read More: Teacher salary numbers fuel the debate: Overpaid or underpaid?
Harrisburg’s woes: Coming to a city near you
Topics on this page Harrisburg…
Media Hit
Read More: Harrisburg’s woes: Coming to a city near youTaxes & Economy
Sorry PennFuture, No Gas Tax for Staycations
That didn’t take long. After Senate Republican leaders Joe Scarnati, Dominic Pileggi, and Jake Corman notified Gov. Ed Rendell of their “best offer” for a tax plan on the natural…
Media
Read More: Sorry PennFuture, No Gas Tax for StaycationsState Budget
Rendell’s Legacy of Spending
Here is my letter to the editor in today’s Wall Street Journal on Gov. Rendell’s spending record: Regarding the contribution of Gov. Ed Rendell in “Four…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Legacy of SpendingState Budget
Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47
Last night, Harrisburg officials held a hearing to determine if the city qualifies for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, Act 47. Mayor Linda Thompson and Governor Rendell support entrance…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47Regulation
Cities and their Bankrupt Pension Plans
A recent study, published by Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, found shocking statistics about the solvency of most city and state pension funds. The total unfunded pension liability for…
Media
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Corbett backs privatizing state’s liquor, wine sales
Media Hit
Read More: Corbett backs privatizing state’s liquor, wine salesGovernment Accountability
Get Ready to Be Amazed
In Lancaster County, PA, local government officials have done the inconceivable—they’ve given up their raises. Strasburg Borough’s ten employees including police, public works, and administrative assistants, agreed to forgo…
Media
Read More: Get Ready to Be AmazedHealth Care
Pelosi Explains the Health Care Bill
In a speech in Pittsburgh to the “Women of Steel”, which includes the Steelworkers union, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Supergirl, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi outlined what…
Media
Read More: Pelosi Explains the Health Care BillTaxes & Economy
Dear Gas Companies: Please Pay for Our Water Park
Next time you hear groups like PennFuture whining about the Growing Greener boondoggle stash running low, keep in mind that it funds projects like this one…
Media
Read More: Dear Gas Companies: Please Pay for Our Water ParkTaxes & Economy
They’re Laughing at Our Low Taxes
The Patriot News has an editorial today claiming Pennsylvania needs to enact a natural gas severance tax so that other states stop laughing at us. No really, states with…
Media
Read More: They’re Laughing at Our Low TaxesGovernment Accountability
Not-so-Effective Tax Credit Programs
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee issued a new report on the utilization and accountability of Pennsylvania’s tax credit programs. The report looks at everything from the Research and…
Media
Read More: Not-so-Effective Tax Credit ProgramsEducation
Further Evidence on School Choice
During last week’s hearing on school choice in Pennsylvania, some lawmakers questioned the evidence of the benefits of school choice programs,…
Media
Read More: Further Evidence on School Choice