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
Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt Students
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article covers how the Pittsburgh Public Schools administration is trying to defend its policy of a 50% minimum grade (HT GrassrootsPA), But…
Media
Read More: Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt StudentsTaxes & Economy
More on the Porn Bailout
As mentioned here yesterday, the Porn Industry (led by Hustler’s Larry Flynt and Girl’s Gone Wild‘s Joe Francis) is seeking a federal bailout. I’m not sure if they are…
Media
Read More: More on the Porn BailoutState Budget
Rendell, Legislature have left a fiscal mess in Pennsylvania
Tony Phyrillas has an excellent editorial on the state budget deficit and the history of recent overspending by Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Topics on this…
Media
Read More: Rendell, Legislature have left a fiscal mess in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Bailout for the Porn Industry?
I knew this was coming: Porn industry seeks federal bailout. The Internet and globalization have hit Penthouse and Girls Gone Wild Pretty brands…
Media
Read More: Bailout for the Porn Industry?Education
The PSEA: A Worm in the Apple
Every taxpayer in the Commonwealth should be aware of the influence and agenda of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). Despite its name, the organization’s top priority is not educating…
Commentary
Read More: The PSEA: A Worm in the AppleTaxes & Economy
Talking economics
The podcast from yesterday’s Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio with Matt Brouillette features discussion of a federal bailout of the states, “economic stimulus”, and Pennsylvania’s budget crunch. Full Program…
Media
Read More: Talking economicsTaxes & Economy
Economists against a “stimulus”
Even though the Obama administration claims all economists recognize the inherent brilliance of a proposed economic stimulus (which includes a bailout of the states, “infrastructure” spend, and “rebate” checks…
Media
Read More: Economists against a “stimulus”State Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | January 2009
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the December revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $815 million short for the fiscal year to date. This shortfall exceeds the…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | January 2009Education
Film: A Stone’s Throw
Our sister think tank, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, recently released “A Stone’s Throw.” The film documents the frustrations of parents in Mississippi–a state notorious for its low…
Media
Read More: Film: A Stone’s ThrowGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expected
In our latest Pennsylvania Deficit Watch update, we take a look at the current state revenue shortfall, noting Governor Rendell’s revised estimate of a $1.6 Billion shorftall for…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expectedGovernment Accountability
Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”
As new legislators are coming to Harrisburg to be sworn in, Brad Bumsted reports that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have spent $1 million in legal fees (despite the number…
Media
Read More: Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”Government Accountability
Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?
From the “News of the Weird” (that is the Patriot News local section) is the report that bobblehead’s of Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed are being sold for $75 apiece…
Media
Read More: Would you pay $75 for bobblehead of Harrisburg mayor?Education
Human Capital Contracts: The Future of Higher Ed Funding?
National Center for Policy Analysis summarize the idea of “human capital contracts” to finance student’s higher education costs. Essentially these contracts constitute agreeing to pay a set percentage of…
Media
Read More: Human Capital Contracts: The Future of Higher Ed Funding?
Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls up 25%
Drivers are waking up to higher tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike this week – a 25% increase in tolls went into effect Sunday. Some of the news stories are…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls up 25%Regulation
Downsize the Federal Government
Cato Institute video on “Downsizing the Federal Government” starting with the US Department of Agriculture. If, like me, you thought that the Dept. of Agriculture was a relatively small…
Media
Read More: Downsize the Federal GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Less than 40 hours to help us meet our goal!
UPDATE from the Commonwealth Foundation12.30.08 $1,315 needed for “40in40” Challenge!With only 40 hours left in 2008, we are $1,315 shy of…
Media
Read More: Less than 40 hours to help us meet our goal!Regulation
New Pollution Regulations Will Cost You
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania DEP reinstated CAIR (the Clean Air Interstate Rule) after a successful appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In July, the…
Media
Read More: New Pollution Regulations Will Cost YouEducation
Scholarships for Student Conference on Liberty
Students For Liberty (a non-profit organization dedicated to liberty) will host their 2009 International Students For Liberty Conference from February 20-22nd at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. The…
Media
Read More: Scholarships for Student Conference on LibertyTaxes & Economy
Is Christmas bad for the Economy?
Readers who are spending this week returning gifts they don’t really want – or those who think Wal-Mart playing Jingle…
Media
Read More: Is Christmas bad for the Economy?Regulation
Snyder County refuses Boscov’s Bailout
Officials in Snyder County are refusing to back a loan as part of the Boscov’s Bailout – even though Pennsylvania officials are pressuring them to do so, arguing…
Media
Read More: Snyder County refuses Boscov’s BailoutRegulation
The Year in Bans
Reason TV video looks at the latest examples of the Nanny State Mentality, highlighting some of the many things banned in 2008.
Media
Read More: The Year in Bans