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
PA Unemployment Fraud Adding to Already-Bankrupt System
As PA Independent reports today, Pennsylvania had $374 million in overpayments for Unemployment Compensation (UC) last year, including $227 million in fraudulent claims, according to the US Department of…
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Solar Subsidies Sink State
Harrisburg, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation expresses its displeasure with Gov. Rendell’s pronouncement today of awarding more taxpayer funds for solar energy projects and advocating an increase in a mandate…
Press Release
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Should Higher Taxes be a “Priority”?
Here is a letter I sent the Patriot News on a natural gas jobs tax: Your August 31 editorial states that a natural gas tax should be the…
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Barring speakers may backfire on West Chester board
Topics on this page West Chester…
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PPL’s Distribution Rate Increase and Electric Choice
Earlier this year, we put out an electricity guide for citizens and businesses explaining why electricty rates were increasing, and how Pennsylvanians can to shop for the best…
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Coal Faces an Onslaught of New Regulations
Debate over new regulations by the EPA puts the Pennsylvania coal industry at a crossroads. Last week, experts met in Philadelphia to discuss a new ruling known as the Clean…
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The Imagined Effect of the Stimulus
Louis Woodhill writes on Real Clear Markets how the CBO’s estimated impact of the stimulus is a fantasy. In fact, the CBO readily admits it is simply plugging…
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Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy
Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…
Commentary
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Unmasking Ed Rendell’s poker face
Topics on this page Ed Rendell…
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Activists take sides on looming retirement system crisis
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Read More: Activists take sides on looming retirement system crisisRegulation
Understanding PSERS’ Gains
Pennsylvania’s pension fund for school employees, PSERS, reported significant gains in the past year — a 14% return on investment. This is higher than the national average, and nearly…
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Pennsylvanians Have Good Reasons to Oppose Higher Fuel Taxes
Grove City College economist Tracy Miller explains why Pennsylvania drivers are resistant to a higher gasoline tax. In contrast to prior periods when the tax was viewed as a…
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Municipalities Gain Authority to Regulate Drilling
Previously, local municipalities could not impose restrictions on gas drilling separate from those required by the state. However, several Pennsylvania court decisions have begun to give local officials additional regulatory…
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Virginia ponders losing ABC stores; studies conflict on privatizing liquor sales
Topics on this page Virginia…
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County school districts make difficult decisions as they try to maintain high level of education.
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Read More: County school districts make difficult decisions as they try to maintain high level of education.Taxes & Economy
Had Enough Skewed Polls from Gov. Rendell Yet?
Ed Rendell’s “campaign” financed a new poll which was then given to the Governor’s Office to distribute, as well as to the propaganda arm of DEP and a…
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Insurance Hypocrisy
I saw a commercial during an episode of Jeopardy from the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority. It warns people against trying to buy car insurance after an accident…
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Gov. Rendell’s Gamesmanship
While table games have been in Pennsylvania casinos for more than a month, I don't know if Gov. Rendell has tried his luck. But it would be a safe wager…
Commentary
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Pennsylvania’s card shark in chief
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Pillaging and Plundering of PA Public not a Plus for Pittsburgh
The Allegheny Institute highlights another failure of corporate welfare to stimulate economic growth. Back in 1998, the politically-appointed RAD board voted to force taxpayers to contribute $809 million towards…
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