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.”
Pike County Residents to Vote on $1M Tax Hike
With the county library system running a $19,000 budget shortfall and unable to fund new pet spending projects, the Friends of the Pike County Public Library have gathered 1,500…
Media
Read More: Pike County Residents to Vote on $1M Tax HikeTaxes & Economy
Taxpayers Flee High Tax States
Our friends at the Empire Center for New York State Policy has a new report on the “exodus” of residents from New York to other states. The report is…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Flee High Tax StatesRegulation
Government-Run Liquor Stores: The Social Impact of Privatization
Evidence from 48 states over time shows no link between market controls and these social goals. Divestiture of Pennsylvania's state liquor stores would represent a financial windfall to the state,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Government-Run Liquor Stores: The Social Impact of PrivatizationGovernment Accountability
CF Blog Roundup
Here are some recent CF mentions in the blogosphere. Reason Out-of-Control notes many of the same concerns we have with giving the Turnpike Commission carte blanche to toll I-80…
Media
Read More: CF Blog RoundupTaxes & Economy
How Scary is Global Warming?
Recent empirical data indicates global warming is not the imminent crisis some make it out to be. Christopher Monckton highlights recent trends which buck the U.N. projections. Of particular…
Media
Read More: How Scary is Global Warming?
Tort Reform Key to Reducing Health Care Costs
As Washington continues debating how to curb health care costs, one area largely ignored is medical malpractice reform. Ample evidence from states indicates tort reform is central to overhauling the…
Commentary
Read More: Tort Reform Key to Reducing Health Care Costs
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Raided by FBI?
Toll Roads News is reporting that the FBI has raided the PA Turnpike Commission, seizing computers and records (HT Capitol Ideas) We’re informed the FBI “raid” comprised three…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Raided by FBI?Regulation
$80 Million from Stimulus for Norfolk Southern Freight Rail in PA
With only 25% of the $787 billion dollar federal stimulus package spent thus far, the remaining $593 billion has many states coming to the table for a piece of…
Media
Read More: $80 Million from Stimulus for Norfolk Southern Freight Rail in PA
Pa. budget adds up to bankruptcy
Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media Hit
Read More: Pa. budget adds up to bankruptcyRegulation
Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket
If you missed our RE Harper Economic Forums on pensions, here is an online version of Rick Dreyfuss’s presentation. You should also check out related articles on “…
Media
Read More: Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will SkyrocketGovernment Accountability
There is No Defense for WAMs
Among the many faults with WAMs, perhaps the most egregious is that taxpayers can never figure out where this money is going. For example,…
Media
Read More: There is No Defense for WAMsRegulation
Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net Neutrality
Gov. Rendell recently submitted a Letter to the FCC expressing concerns with proposed Internet regulation known as “Net Neutrality.” This was part of the…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net NeutralityHealth Care
Is Mackey Wacky?
In August, John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, penned a Wall Street Journal piece outlining his ideas for health care reform – these include equalizing the tax code, interstate…
Media
Read More: Is Mackey Wacky?
Cities get a break on pensions but critics aren’t so sure it’s a good idea
Media Hit
Read More: Cities get a break on pensions but critics aren’t so sure it’s a good ideaTaxes & Economy
Coburn vs. Levy on Funding Political Science
In the American, Philip Levy of the American Enterprise Institute defends federal funding of political science research against charges that it represents wasteful spending from Sen. Tom Coburn. As…
Media
Read More: Coburn vs. Levy on Funding Political ScienceTaxes & Economy
Time to Eat the Dog
According to a book by Brenda and Robert Vale; dogs equivalent to the size of German Shepherds have the same “carbon footprint” as a typical SUV driving 10,000 miles/year. “A lot of…
Media
Read More: Time to Eat the DogEducation
Privatizing State Universities
In wake of a state budget crisis and a temporary infusion of stimulus funds, Colorado State University is considering a partial privatization of the public university. By 2011, it will…
Media
Read More: Privatizing State UniversitiesHealth Care
Government Health Care Still Kills
A couple of PA state legislators have recently cited a recent Harvard study to make the claim that thousands “are dying because of a lack of insurance”…
Media
Read More: Government Health Care Still KillsTaxes & Economy
Yet Another Rendell No-Bid Contract
Just as it seemed the dust was settling in the fight to lease state land for shale exploration, recent closed-door meetings (Capitolwire, subscription needed) conducted by the Rendell Administration…
Media
Read More: Yet Another Rendell No-Bid ContractState Budget
Yes, We Really Do Mistrust Lawmakers
Gerald Prante of the Tax Foundation raises a philosophical question about state spending limits. Namely he wonders, if we don’t trust how legislators spend money now – a…
Media
Read More: Yes, We Really Do Mistrust LawmakersEducation
Despite Recession, Pennsylvania College Costs Increase
On Tuesday, the College Board released their annual report on tuition and financial aid. Despite a national recession, college tuition is still rising at an alarming pace. On average,…
Media
Read More: Despite Recession, Pennsylvania College Costs Increase