Erik Telford

Media Contact
media(at)commonwealthfoundation.org

Request an Interview Headshot

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.” 

Government Accountability

The Tort Anti-Reform of HB 2246

  • July 6, 2010

Citizens to Protect PA Jobs recently issued an action alert on HB 2246, which flies in the face of the type of tort reform Pennsylvania needs. A hindrance…

Media

Read More: The Tort Anti-Reform of HB 2246

Taxes & Economy

The Scientific Consensus

  • July 6, 2010

Last week, Reason came out with an interesting article on scientific consensuses. On July 1, 1979 the Washington Post reported “The real issue raised by saccharin [the artificial…

Media

Read More: The Scientific Consensus

State Budget

PA Relies on Federal Bailout of Unemployment Fund

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 6, 2010

A tsunami of debt is scheduled to hit the state in the next two years. One aspect, the pension bomb, has been well publicized, but the $3 billion in…

Media

Read More: PA Relies on Federal Bailout of Unemployment Fund

Taxes & Economy

Excessive Government Spending Weighs Down the Economy

  • July 5, 2010

In the midst of economic turmoil, much like we have seen recently, many politicians believe that government spending needs to increase. But is increased government spending truly beneficial to the…

Media

Read More: Excessive Government Spending Weighs Down the Economy

Taxes & Economy

Penn State Fronts for GE

  • July 5, 2010

The New York Times reports today that companies are responding to new rules on earmark bans for private business by either setting up their own nonprofits, or…

Media

Read More: Penn State Fronts for GE

Government Accountability

I&R Makes Way for Liquor Store Privatization in WA

  • July 5, 2010

Washington, one of 24 states that enjoy initiative and referendum – a reform that allows citizens to place issues on the ballot – is expecting its November election…

Media

Read More: I&R Makes Way for Liquor Store Privatization in WA

Regulation

PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha Center

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 3, 2010

Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire (subscription) reports today that the line items from the RACP legislation ($600 million in borrowing for corporate welfare, included as part of the budget deal),…

Media

Read More: PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha Center

Government Accountability

Can We Get Some Transparency in the Budget?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 2, 2010

The delay to include the proposed Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) is just legislators’ latest attempt to resist the transparency and accountability legislation Pennsylvanians deserve. According to John Micek at…

Media

Read More: Can We Get Some Transparency in the Budget?

Regulation

Credit to be Offered at PA Casinos

  • July 2, 2010

Last week, the Gaming Control Board approved regulations for “casino credit.” Now patrons can effectively take out a loan of credit to play table games and slots, with no…

Media

Read More: Credit to be Offered at PA Casinos

Education

Will Increased Education Funding Solve Our Problems?

  • July 2, 2010

Recently, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a budget for FY 2011. Governor Rendell praised the budget for increasing education funding by $250 million. But is increased funding for our schools…

Media

Read More: Will Increased Education Funding Solve Our Problems?