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
How far will freezing pay go in solving Pennsylvania’s budget crisis?
Governor Rendell’s recent pronouncement that he will freeze the pay of 13,600 Pennsylvania state workers (this doesn’t apply to 62,000 unionize employees) is estimate to save about $14…
Media
Read More: How far will freezing pay go in solving Pennsylvania’s budget crisis?Taxes & Economy
Deficit spending, taxes, and economic stimulus
The latest Heritage Foundation WebMemo looks takes on the idea that “deficit spending” is a good stimulus for the economy, given the upcoming federal deficit is going to the…
Media
Read More: Deficit spending, taxes, and economic stimulusEducation
Higher Costs of Higher Education
New report diagnoses skyrocketing PA college tuition, prescribes remedy for lower costs HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today released Higher Costs of Higher Education: Reforming how Pennsylvania Taxpayers Finance…
Press Release
Read More: Higher Costs of Higher EducationEducation
“F” for Affordability
Today, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education released its National Report Card on Higher Education. The report surveyed…
Media
Read More: “F” for AffordabilityGovernment Accountability
Transparency: Increase Government Efficiency for Free
The House Democratic Caucus has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by rejecting this year’s COLA’s. Maybe Dr. Stilp got through to them. But the bigger question is how much did Eachus…
Media
Read More: Transparency: Increase Government Efficiency for FreeTaxes & Economy
Governors Against State Bailouts
While Governor Rendell and others state executives are asking for taxpayers to bail them out (see related article in The Bulletin) but want to pass the buck…
Media
Read More: Governors Against State BailoutsState Budget
Pennsylvania budget shortfall grows to $658 million
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has released the November Revenue Collections, showing the state General Fund collections now $658 million below estimate.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall grows to $658 millionEducation
High Tech Higher Ed
The Washington Monthly ran an article by Kevin Carey of Education Sector last week on the effects of technology on higher education. Carey illustrates how one professor established…
Media
Read More: High Tech Higher EdState Budget
Spend Like It’s 2007
Commonwealth’s revenue shortfall grows to $658 million HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today renewed its call for restrained state government spending in the wake of a growing revenue…
Press Release
Read More: Spend Like It’s 2007Taxes & Economy
Is Greenspan to blame for the financial crisis?
Over at the Cato Institute, there seems to be some disagreement over to what extent Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve contributed to the present financial “crisis”. Some…
Media
Read More: Is Greenspan to blame for the financial crisis?Regulation
Pension Pain
Cross Posted at Capitol Domes The stock market’s steep decline is a source of angst for all those whose retirement account balances have taken a nosedive. The financial…
Media
Read More: Pension PainEducation
What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher Education
In the midst of rising tuition, dwindling tax revenue, and a recession, the presidents of 13 state-owned colleges are collectively receiving $147,427 in raises, which would equal tuition for 27…
Commentary
Read More: What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher EducationTaxes & Economy
The Bailout Explained in Two Minutes
If you’re having trouble understanding all the bailouts in Washington, then watch this two-minute YouTube video clip and you’ll learn everything you need to know… 🙂 Topics on…
Media
Read More: The Bailout Explained in Two MinutesTaxes & Economy
Stimulus Follies
OpenMarket.org has a good post on the failure of “stimulus” packages (i.e. government spending) to improve the overall economy.
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Read More: Stimulus FolliesTaxes & Economy
County Commissioner: “Listen to the Commonwealth Foundation”
“The governor and legislators should seriously consider the reports from the Commonwealth Foundation which provided information on how Harrisburg could address the state’s financial situation” That quote comes from Fayette…
Media
Read More: County Commissioner: “Listen to the Commonwealth Foundation”Taxes & Economy
What happened to the Great Depression II?
Carpe Diem points out that holiday retail sales were up over the weekend from last year. Yet the CNN Money article with the same chart contains more of…
Media
Read More: What happened to the Great Depression II?Regulation
Pennsylvania Pension Now Faces Billions in Losses
The Wall Street Journal has an article on Pennsylvania’s state employee’s pension fund, and its market losses. Noting that “Pennsylvania invested more in hedge funds than any other state…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pension Now Faces Billions in LossesRegulation
Spreading wealth to Hollywood
Cross Posted at Capitol Domes Giving handouts to Hollywood has become an en vogue method for state governments to stimulate economic growth. According to the Heartland…
Media
Read More: Spreading wealth to HollywoodRegulation
Renewing the Call for Pension Refom
Deb Erdley has a story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on pension funds for public school employees and state workers, in light of a PSBA plan for reform, recent losses…
Media
Read More: Renewing the Call for Pension RefomPublic Union Democracy
PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker Freedom
The Alliance for Worker Freedom has their new scorecard on the 2nd session of the 110th Congress. Key votes include a number of expansion of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws…
Media
Read More: PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker FreedomRegulation
The Corporate Welfare Mentality
Team 4 Pittsburgh has a well-done, but disturbing, story and video on why government bureaucrats hand out “economic development” grants to companies. Usually, government officials claim that taxpayer “investments”…
Media
Read More: The Corporate Welfare Mentality