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.”
Education
Who Got PSEA Money?
The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) remains one of the most powerful special interest groups in Harrisburg, whether it be fighting school choice and merit pay for teachers,…
Media
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Time to exit Rendell’s road to higher taxes
Media Hit
Read More: Time to exit Rendell’s road to higher taxesTaxes & Economy
Pittsburgh’s Proposed Petroleum Prohibition
The Post-Gazette features an article on a proposed ban on natural gas drilling in the city of Pittsburgh: Ben Price, who helped draft the bill as projects director…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh’s Proposed Petroleum ProhibitionEducation
Administrative Costs Keep Tuition High
The Goldwater Institute puts higher education on the spot in a new study entitled: Administrative Bloat at American Universities, authored by Jay Greene. The study finds university administration costs…
Media
Read More: Administrative Costs Keep Tuition HighTaxes & Economy
George Soros vs. Natural Gas
Is anyone surprised that George Soros is against the tapping of shale gas because of “dangerous hydrofracking”? One of America’s real hopes for economic recovery is on the line,…
Media
Read More: George Soros vs. Natural GasState Budget
State Budget Gaps and State Budget Growth
In a recent report, Matthew Mitchell from the Mercatus Center provides solutions to the “rock and hard place” situations states are finding themselves in while they try to…
Media
Read More: State Budget Gaps and State Budget GrowthPublic Union Democracy
Time to Exit Rendell’s Road to Higher Taxes
Governor Rendell has proposed a series of tax increases to fill a $415 million transportation funding deficit created when the federal government rejected his plan to toll I-80 for a…
Commentary
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Pennsylvania needs more educational opportunities
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
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Defined contribution plan would benefit workers
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Read More: Defined contribution plan would benefit workersTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale: One Study Goes Beyond the Hype
A recent study that looks at the environmental and regulatory issues surrounding Marcellus Shale gas is a refreshing change of pace from the attacks and emotionally charged analyses. Frac…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Shale: One Study Goes Beyond the HypeTaxes & Economy
Fact Check: DEP Funding
A Capitolwire article (subscription) on DEP funding highlights an argument between a former and current Department of Environmental Protection secretaries. Former DEP Secretary David Hess says the Department is…
Media
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Commonwealth Foundation supports stewardship
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation supports stewardshipEducation
Seven PA Universities Have High Racial Graduation Gaps
Several universities in Pennsylvania have a large gap between white and black graduation rates, according to a recent report from Education Trust. Shippensburg University, with a 30.3% difference…
Media
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Ex-IUP leader raked in perks
Topics on this page Indiana University of Pennsylvania…
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Join Us on October 23, and Bring a Crowd
As promised, CF has rescheduled our LiveFreePA event for Saturday, October 23, from noon to 4 p.m. We’ll be celebrating our freedoms—which are, sadly, under attack in Harrisburg and…
Media
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Also on October 23
Before you head to LiveFreePA on Saturday, October 23, the Tea Party Patriots of Central Pennsylvania invite you to a rally on the steps of the State Capitol. WHP…
Media
Read More: Also on October 23Regulation
Has Corporate Welfare Ever Failed?
A reader asks us if we know of any examples of corporate welfare where it has failed – not just on the Macro level, giving grants to select corporations while…
Media
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Pa. rebate program mandate puts buyers in bind
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. rebate program mandate puts buyers in bindGovernment Accountability
Corrupt Courts Refuse Transparency
The Scranton Times reports that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) is appealing a court ruling extending an exemption to open records to the judiciary branch. (HT…
Media
Read More: Corrupt Courts Refuse TransparencyTaxes & Economy
But I Thought All the Tax Cuts were “For the Rich” …
The Club for Growth highlights a Washington Post article on the expiration of the “Bush tax cuts” in 2011 (or, depending on your word choice, the “currently-scheduled tax…
Media
Read More: But I Thought All the Tax Cuts were “For the Rich” …