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.”
Health Care
NY Times: Individual Mandate is a Tax & Now Fewer Health Care Options
The New York Times had not one, but two stories over the weekend on things we learned about “what’s in the bill”, that we had to wait until it was…
Media
Read More: NY Times: Individual Mandate is a Tax & Now Fewer Health Care Options
State is ‘better off’ with lower tax rates
Media Hit
Read More: State is ‘better off’ with lower tax ratesGovernment Accountability
PA House GOP Unveils Policy Agenda
Earlier this month, the PA House GOP put out a Policy Agenda for Pennsylvania. Not everything gets Commonwealth Foundation Approval – e.g., the “jobs package”, praise for…
Media
Read More: PA House GOP Unveils Policy AgendaTaxes & Economy
Win PennFuture Junk!
Over on the home page Commonwealth Foundation has responded to PennFuture’s allegations of “serious errors” in our report, “PennFuture’s Lobbying: Hypocritical, Unethical and Possibly Illegal.”…
Media
Read More: Win PennFuture Junk!Taxes & Economy
CF Responds to PennFuture Demands
A July 14, 2010 letter from PennFuture’s attorney claimed the Commonwealth Foundation’s Policy Brief, “PennFuture’s Lobbying: Hypocritical, unethical, and possibly illegal,” contained three inaccuracies and demanded…
Press Release
Read More: CF Responds to PennFuture DemandsTaxes & Economy
New Drilling Study Highlights Regulation Reform
Recently, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council released a study on Marcellus Shale drilling focusing on what Pennsylvania needs to do to ensure responsible development of this newly tapped resources. As…
Media
Read More: New Drilling Study Highlights Regulation ReformTaxes & Economy
Anti-Drilling Groups Pressure Penn State
Opponents of natural gas drilling are attacking the integrity of a Penn State study on the economic effects the Marcellus Shale development, which was funded by the industry. Complaints center…
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Read More: Anti-Drilling Groups Pressure Penn State
State policies on pension plans ‘generational theft,’ expert tells economic group
Media Hit
Read More: State policies on pension plans ‘generational theft,’ expert tells economic groupState Budget
Are There WAMs in the PA Budget?
A reader called our office today, following a conversation with his local lawmakers, who denied there were any WAMs in the budget, and claimed there had not been in many…
Media
Read More: Are There WAMs in the PA Budget?Taxes & Economy
EOG Resources Mans Up After Drilling Accident
On Tuesday, DEP released the results of an investigation into the June 3 Clearfield County gas well incident. The well, as you might recall, shot gas and flow-back water…
Media
Read More: EOG Resources Mans Up After Drilling Accident
Corbett, Onorato Both Wishy-Washy on UC
Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate, continues to take flak for comments he made regarding the unemployed and Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits. After Corbett made comments that…
Media
Read More: Corbett, Onorato Both Wishy-Washy on UC
PA Turnpike to Hike Tolls on Cash Payers by 10%
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) announced yesterday that it would be increasing tolls by 10% on cash payers and by 3% on E-Z Pass holders, beginning in January. This…
Media
Read More: PA Turnpike to Hike Tolls on Cash Payers by 10%Taxes & Economy
Penn State and PennFuture: Two Peas in a Pod
While PennFuture’s Jan Jarrett whines about alleged Commonwealth Foundation smears of themselves and of Climategate scientist Michael Mann, The Atlantic‘s Clive Crook — a…
Media
Read More: Penn State and PennFuture: Two Peas in a PodTaxes & Economy
Combined Reporting Has Consequences
Lancaster Online recently produced a number of articles concerning Mandatory Unitary Combined Reporting, one of many tax revenue increases offered by Governor Rendell. Combined Reporting did not make it…
Media
Read More: Combined Reporting Has ConsequencesState Budget
Voters Blame Politicians’ Overspending for Budget Woes
Reason highlights a new Rasmussen Poll on state budget crises. A whopping 75% of voters blame current budget crises on politicians’ unwillingness to cut spending. Only 13% think…
Media
Read More: Voters Blame Politicians’ Overspending for Budget WoesRegulation
Pension Reform Is Good for Teachers
Recently, the New York Daily News published an article by public school teacher Emmanuel George. He has taught in both traditional public schools and in a charter school.
Media
Read More: Pension Reform Is Good for TeachersGovernment Accountability
BP-Funded PennFuture Attacks the Messenger
PennFuture’s Jan Jarrett launches a tirade against the Commonwealth Foundation’s exposé of PennFuture’s lobbying. For starters, she repeatedly labels it a “smear campaign” (and even includes…
Media
Read More: BP-Funded PennFuture Attacks the Messenger