Erik Telford

Media Contact
media(at)commonwealthfoundation.org

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

Some Facts About School Choice for Joe Hoeffel

Nathan Benefield
March 26, 2010

In the Democrat contest for Pennsylvania Governor, Joe Hoeffel came out swinging, attacking Anthony Williams for supporting school choice. Apparently, Hoeffel thinks the…

Media

The Pennsylvania Legislature: Size & effect

March 26, 2010

Topics on this page Pennsylvania General Assembly…

Media Hit

The case for a part-time Pa. Legislature

March 26, 2010

Topics on this page Pennsylvania…

Media Hit

Regulation

Slots vs. Lottery

Nathan Benefield
March 26, 2010

PA Independent summarizes a recent Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report that concludes slot machine gambling has not undermined lottery sales. I…

Media

Industry Partnerships Program Moves Toward Permanence

March 25, 2010

Media Hit

Regulation

Illinois Passes Pension Reductions

Nathan Benefield
March 25, 2010

While the Pennsylvania General Assembly is holding hearings to assess our public pension crisis is really bad, or really-really bad, Illinois is acting to reduce state pension benefits…

Media

Health Care

Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily Good

Nathan Benefield
March 25, 2010

Economist Bill Dunkelberg gives his criticism of the health care bill signed this past week. Dr. Dunkelberg will keynote the upcoming RE Harper Economic Forums – April 26…

Media

Taxes & Economy

What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?

Nathan Benefield
March 25, 2010

Recently, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics requested comments on how it should try to measure “green jobs.” Here are the comments I offered: I am writing in…

Media

Regulation

Private Parks Promote Public Preservation

March 25, 2010

It is an oft-disseminated myth that government has to be the sole guardian of our historic sites, museums, and parks. For instance, during the 2009 state budget impasse, Gov. Rendell…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda Tax

March 24, 2010

Following humbly in the footsteps of Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter, mayor Luke Ravensthal of Pittsburgh is proposing a soda tax. Justin Higginbottom from the Tax Foundation,…

Media

Government Accountability

Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

Nathan Benefield
March 24, 2010

In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…

Media

Health Care

Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health Insurance

Nathan Benefield
March 24, 2010

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing legislation that would allow residents of the Peach State to purchase insurance across state lines, unilaterally giving residents permission to buy coverage approved…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?

Nathan Benefield
March 24, 2010

Three Pennsylvania pro-tax, pro-government subsidy of special interest groups issued a statement calling for state taxes on natural gas extraction and on cigars and smokeless tobacco. There statements suggest…

Media

Making a case for part-time Legislature

March 24, 2010

Media Hit

Health Care

Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are Idiots

Nathan Benefield
March 23, 2010

Commenting about Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett joining AGs in 10 other states in a lawsuit against the federal health care bill, Gov. Rendell had this to say…

Media

Government Accountability

Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health

March 23, 2010

Like previous deals given to Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Speaker Pelosi and President Obama offered reluctant House Democrats more favors in exchange for their support…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

Elizabeth Stelle
March 23, 2010

In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…

Commentary

Governor And A.G. Disagree On Health Bill

March 22, 2010

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation

Elizabeth Stelle
March 22, 2010

As more natural gas wells are drilled, environmental groups, and now lawmakers, are decrying the technology as unsafe or responsible for contamination. Even the EPA announced it is conducting…

Media

Health Care

Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?

Nathan Benefield
March 22, 2010

Ronald Reagan once said, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” Last night’s vote on health care reform was heralded by supporter as a “historic vote” which will…

Media

Climate scientists face political barbs

March 22, 2010

Media Hit