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
The Environment Impact of Natural Gas Drilling
Concerns about the environment impact of natural gas drilling are well-founded, but often overstated. A common misconception is that the hydraulic fracturing process has contaminated many wells and groundwater.
Media
Read More: The Environment Impact of Natural Gas DrillingState Budget
RE: Balancing the PA Budget with Gimmicks
Lawmakers have found new opposition to their plan to taked money from other funds to balance the budget. The Executive Director of Renew Growing Greener, Andrew Heath, encouraged…
Media
Read More: RE: Balancing the PA Budget with GimmicksGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
Here is what bloggers are giving CF some linkage for lately: Lehigh Valley Conservative and Bill Lawrence gave us some linkage for our breakdown of the recently…
Media
Read More: CF Blog Roundup
Pennsylvania’s budget shortfall aids drive to privatize liquor stores
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s budget shortfall aids drive to privatize liquor stores
Wine sold in pilot program at Pa. markets
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Wine sold in pilot program at Pa. marketsRegulation
McDonalds Needs ‘Sad Meals’ to Help Powerless Parents
McDonald’s Happy Meals are under attack. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has threatened to sue the restaurant chain if they continue to include…
Media
Read More: McDonalds Needs ‘Sad Meals’ to Help Powerless ParentsRegulation
The Terror of Unlicensed Interior Designers
The Patriot News has a short article about Pennsylvania lawmakers consider legislation to require interior designers to get a license with the state. To get a license, an interior…
Media
Read More: The Terror of Unlicensed Interior DesignersEducation
House Passes Special Ed “Reform”
Yesterday, without much press, the Pennsylvania House passed special education funding reforms that attempt to improve the effectiveness of special ed funding. Rep. Sturla’s bill would adjust the funding…
Media
Read More: House Passes Special Ed “Reform”
Natural gas companies, policy group at odds over tax
Media Hit
Read More: Natural gas companies, policy group at odds over taxGovernment Accountability
Disclosing the Assault on Free Speech
As election season approaches, Democrats in the House are scrambling to gather votes to pass the DISCLOSE Act. Even the ACLU criticizes the effect DISCLOSE would have on…
Media
Read More: Disclosing the Assault on Free SpeechEducation
DC Vouchers Boost High School Graduation Rates
University of Arkansas professor Patrick Wolf recently concluded a study of the voucher program in D.C. The study concludes that this simple, six-year program was able to increase graduation…
Media
Read More: DC Vouchers Boost High School Graduation RatesState Budget
Balancing the PA Budget with Gimmicks
The temperature is in the 90s in Harrisburg this week, and most folks are wearing short sleeves. One exception is budget negotiators, who are still keeping plenty of tricks up…
Media
Read More: Balancing the PA Budget with GimmicksTaxes & Economy
Video: How Minimum Wage Laws Kill Jobs
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity has a new video out explaining how minimum wage laws kill jobs. From 2006 to 2009 the…
Media
Read More: Video: How Minimum Wage Laws Kill Jobs
Drilling severance tax will hit state’s residents
Media Hit
Read More: Drilling severance tax will hit state’s residentsGovernment Accountability
How to Discourage Accounting Gimmicks in the Budget
The Rendell administration celebrated the end of the tax amnesty program bringing in $261 million, well above projected revenues. But Capitolwire (subscription only) reminds us the Governor was originally…
Media
Read More: How to Discourage Accounting Gimmicks in the BudgetTaxes & Economy
Re: Hypocrisy of ‘Conservation Voters’
Offering more evidence that CVPA’s call for Tom Corbett to return campaign contributions was a partisan stunt, Anadarko also gave Sen. Arlen Specter…
Media
Read More: Re: Hypocrisy of ‘Conservation Voters’