Erik Telford

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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.” 

Weekly Blog Roundup

  • January 14, 2010

The CF call for an independent investigation into a Penn State professor caught in climatology scandal caught many bloggers’ attention this week. GrassrootsPA,…

Media

Read More: Weekly Blog Roundup

Taxes & Economy

Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 14, 2010

Yesterday, Governor Rendell had some harsh albeit entertaining words for opponents of HB 80, which would increase the state’s mandated alternative energy requirements. According to Rendell “Powerful special interests…

Media

Read More: Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!

State Budget

What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2010

In his mid-year budget address, Governor Rendell outlined a plan to cut spending by $170 million in the Pennsylvania state budget.  This week, he identified $161 specific cuts (see…

Media

Read More: What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?

Education

New Head Start Study Shows No Long-Term Effects of Preschool

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2010

A study on students in Head Start released yesterday by the US Department of Health and Human Services shows no long-term academic improvement from the program.  In fact, the…

Media

Read More: New Head Start Study Shows No Long-Term Effects of Preschool

Regulation

Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating Jobs

  • January 13, 2010

A study by Good Jobs First indicates that Pennsylvania’s tax incentives for high-tech companies has not been able to attract investment from other states. A net 43 high-tech companies…

Media

Read More: Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating Jobs

Government Accountability

Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad Ideas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2010

Pennsylvania Governor Candidate Dan Onorato outlined his economic development proposals yesterday. He has some good ideas in there, but a lot of the…

Media

Read More: Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad Ideas

Government Accountability

Democrat Party Finally Condemns Pay Raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2010

An interesting response to State Senator Dave Argall’s announcement that he would challenge Congressman Tim Holden is that Democrats are going after Argall’s role in the 2005 Pennsylvania pay…

Media

Read More: Democrat Party Finally Condemns Pay Raise

Regulation

Paper or Plastic?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 12, 2010

This morning I came across a ridiculous piece of legislation. Rep. McGeehan has proposed HB 2200, which would ban paper and plastic bags in grocery stores. Forget subtle…

Media

Read More: Paper or Plastic?

Education

Climategate & Penn State

  • January 12, 2010

Just days after news broke about what has been dubbed "Climategate," Penn State University (PSU) announced that it would investigate the conduct of Michael Mann, a professor in PSU's Department…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Climategate & Penn State

Public Union Democracy

Pittsburgh Prevailing Wage Proposal Still on Table

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2010

The Pittsburgh City Council is once again considering imposing a prevailing wage rule on workers in city-subsidized buildings. (HT to Grassroots PA). In contrast to what the article…

Media

Read More: Pittsburgh Prevailing Wage Proposal Still on Table

Education

PA’s “Race to the Top” Plan Upsets Cyber Schools and PSEA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2010

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s “Race to the Top” plan – attempting to get about $400 million from federal taxpayers via the “stimulus” – has drawn a number of critics.

Media

Read More: PA’s “Race to the Top” Plan Upsets Cyber Schools and PSEA

Taxes & Economy

Government Spending on Transportation Not Creating Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2010

The AP has a new story out today on how “stimulus” road spending has had little effect on unemployment. Spend a lot or spend nothing at all, it…

Media

Read More: Government Spending on Transportation Not Creating Jobs