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
Budget Facts 2010: Natural Gas Severance Tax
Gov. Rendell has proposed a tax of 5% on the value of extracted natural gas, plus $.047 per thousand cubic feet of extracted gas. There is an exemption for marginal…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Budget Facts 2010: Natural Gas Severance Tax
Time for Serious Transportation Funding Solutions
Harrisburg, PA – Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matthew Brouillette released the following statement in response to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) rejection of Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)…
Press Release
Read More: Time for Serious Transportation Funding SolutionsTaxes & Economy
Alternative Energy Should Be the People’s Choice
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry has recent white paper about House Bill 80; a bill that seeks to increase Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. The Chamber…
Media
Read More: Alternative Energy Should Be the People’s ChoiceEducation
Gov. Rendell Learned His Lesson
Last year, Gov. Rendell went on a bus tour across Pennsylvania, at taxpayer expense, to lobby for more education spending. Rendell was…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Learned His LessonState Budget
Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs
Pennsylvania's latest budget shortfall is the result of a pattern in which state legislators abandon fiscal prudence in "good years" and face spending cuts or tax hikes in down times.
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs
The PG should care about constitutionality
Media Hit
Read More: The PG should care about constitutionality
Onorato’s boast about pension fund solvency raises eyebrows
Media Hit
Read More: Onorato’s boast about pension fund solvency raises eyebrowsHealth Care
State Legislators’ Guide to Health Insurance Solution
Council for Affordable Health Insurance and ALEC have released their 2010 State Legislators Guide to Health Insurance Solutions. Here is a PDF version of the full report…
Media
Read More: State Legislators’ Guide to Health Insurance SolutionGovernment Accountability
Four of Six PA Governor Candidates Favor State Constitutional Convention
At a forum for Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates last week, Tom Corbett, Jack Wagner, Joe Hoeffel, and Dan Onorato all express some support for a state constitutional convention, at least…
Media
Read More: Four of Six PA Governor Candidates Favor State Constitutional Convention
Who the health cares about the Constitution?
Topics on this page Constitution…
Media Hit
Read More: Who the health cares about the Constitution?
Legislators missed oportunity to impact malpractice problem
Media Hit
Read More: Legislators missed oportunity to impact malpractice problem
The state Legislature: Could less be more?
Media Hit
Read More: The state Legislature: Could less be more?Government Accountability
In Defense of Political Anonymity
Former FEC Chief Bradley Smith has a good article in the winter issue of City Journal on the problems with campaign finance disclosure. Imagine if the George W.
Media
Read More: In Defense of Political AnonymityEducation
Is Choice Harming Public Schools?
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story this week about the number of students (314,000 over nine years) served by Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC provides tax…
Media
Read More: Is Choice Harming Public Schools?
Ignoring the Constitution
Topics on this page Constitution…
Media Hit
Read More: Ignoring the Constitution
Let private firms run state parks, museums
Media Hit
Read More: Let private firms run state parks, museumsState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2010
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that through the end of March, state General Fund revenues are $719 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Tax collections have…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2010Health Care
Repeal Obamacare Ad in Erie Times-News
The Manufacturer and Business Assocation, along with a whole slew of businesses in the Erie area, ran a full page add in the Erie Times-News calling for lawmakers to…
Media
Read More: Repeal Obamacare Ad in Erie Times-NewsPublic Union Democracy
You’ve Been Duped
Apparently our April Fools Day news release hit a little too close to home for some. We announced that under new…
Media
Read More: You’ve Been DupedTaxes & Economy
Facts and Myths About a Natural Gas Tax
Gov. Rendell has labeled himself as the “best ally” of the natural gas industry, an odd statement for someone who frequently gets the facts wrong. Here are some corrections…
Media
Read More: Facts and Myths About a Natural Gas Tax