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.”
State Budget
The True Cost of Unemployment Compensation
Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation fund is bankrupt. Beginning in March 2009, the Keystone State borrowed over $2 billion from the federal government to keep it solvent. Unfortunately, unemployment continues to grow,…
Commentary
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The True Purpose of Lobbyist Disclosure
I have recently learned the true motives behind Pennsylvania’s recent lobbyist disclosure law — as I, and everyone else on staff who registered with the state as a lobbyist has…
Media
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Sheetz rallies for beer sales
Topics on this page Sheetz…
Media Hit
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Free Our Beer!
With the debate over Pennsylvania’s liquor laws heating up, new legislation would finally allow consumers to purchase six-packs of beer at their favorite local grocery store or distributor. Introduced by…
Media
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There PennFuture Goes Again!
This morning on Harrisburg’s NPR station WITF (audio), Commonwealth Foundation adjunct scholar Andrew Langer debated Jan Jarrett of PennFuture. Afterward Jarrett slammed us…
Media
Read More: There PennFuture Goes Again!Taxes & Economy
Business Guide to Electric Choice & Competition
In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…
Fact Sheet
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Spending is still supreme in the Pennsylvania budget
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
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Biennial Legislatures
NCSL has a new podcast discussing biennial legislatures – i.e. states where the General Assembly meets for a limited session every two years. There have been a handful of…
Media
Read More: Biennial LegislaturesHealth Care
Virginia Passes Health Care Freedom Act
The Virginia House of Representatives passed SB 417, sending it on to Gov. McDonnell, who is expected to sign it. The legislation would state, in defiance of health…
Media
Read More: Virginia Passes Health Care Freedom ActRegulation
Tracking the Bailout Money
Propublica has a good tool tracking all the money the federal government has given out in both the TARP bailout and the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Media
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Re: alcohol control (Letter to the Editor)
Media Hit
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Tea Party survival strategy
Topics on this page Tea party…
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Do as We Say, Not as We Do
Public sector unions argue that “defined-benefit” pension plans are necessary to attract and retain good government workers. They also argue that we must pay people equitably — i.e., we…
Media
Read More: Do as We Say, Not as We DoRegulation
Government Pension Plans Facing Crisis in Many States
RiShawn Biddle has a good article at American Spectator on how public school pensions and health care benefits are a huge cost burden in many states. New Jersey is…
Media
Read More: Government Pension Plans Facing Crisis in Many StatesGovernment Accountability
The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators Back
State Rep. Frank Oliver announced he will be retiring at the end of his term. This retirement – along with those of Sen. Bob Mellow, Sen. Barry Stout, and…
Media
Read More: The 70s Called, and Wants Its Legislators BackRegulation
Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)
The lobbyist group Triad Strategies has a new blog focusing on Pennsylvania policy and politics, which features a recent post by George Wolff that calls for taxpayers to…
Media
Read More: Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)
Schools make out well in Rendell’s 2010-11 budget proposal
Media Hit
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‘Nonessential’ state workers still get paid for snow days
Media Hit
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