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.”
Taxes & Economy
Bailouts cost more than WWII, 10 times cost of New Deal
A friend passed along this blog post looking at the cost of recent bailouts compared to the inflation-adjusted cost of other major government expenditures: If we add in…
Media
Read More: Bailouts cost more than WWII, 10 times cost of New DealEducation
Compulsory unionism doesn’t benefit teachers, students, or taxpayers
PSEA Head honcho James Testerman has a response to a Tribune-Review editorial which called for making PA a right to work state – citing our report on…
Media
Read More: Compulsory unionism doesn’t benefit teachers, students, or taxpayersTaxes & Economy
Why Permanent Tax Cuts Are the Best Stimulus
John B. Taylor has an article in today’s Wall Street Journal concluding that – and this will shock Governor Rendell and the state treasurer – government spending is…
Media
Read More: Why Permanent Tax Cuts Are the Best StimulusRegulation
Why government spending is no economic stimulus
In my commentary today, I tackle the idea of “economic development” spending as a stimulus for economic growth, and contrast that with lower taxes. More detailed analysis of…
Media
Read More: Why government spending is no economic stimulusTaxes & Economy
Don’t know much about history? (or economics)?
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute released their latest report on Americans’ civic literacy (HT to Center for College Affordability). The results are not good. Click here to take…
Media
Read More: Don’t know much about history? (or economics)?Government Accountability
Cut Legislature First
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorializes that the first item to be cut from the budget should be the legislature’s budget, noting this is the source of funding for bonuses, no-work…
Media
Read More: Cut Legislature FirstRegulation
Government Can’t Cure Our Economic Woes
Pennsylvania is facing a deep shortfall in revenue which, through October, stands at $565 million. Putting this in perspective, the shortfall in 2002-03—which led to increases in the state…
Commentary
Read More: Government Can’t Cure Our Economic WoesTaxes & Economy
Small Businesses in the Pennsylvania Economy
The Small Business Administration has published their latest profiles of small businesses in the US and each of the 50 states. Some of the data is a bid old…
Media
Read More: Small Businesses in the Pennsylvania EconomyEducation
We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still
The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.
Media
Read More: We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…stillRegulation
The Boscov’s Bailout
I am quoted in Brad Vasoli’s Evening Bulletin article on the Boscov’s Bailout (related stories in the Times-Tribune and the Citizen’s Voice). Let me expound upon my…
Media
Read More: The Boscov’s BailoutState Budget
Budget shortfall, but money (and giant checks) for pork is plentiful
Even though Pennsylvania is facing a massive budget shortfall, don’t expect Governor Rendell to stop touring the state handing out taxpayer funds. Yesterday, he announced $44 million in “investments”…
Media
Read More: Budget shortfall, but money (and giant checks) for pork is plentiful
Pennsylvania’s economic climate gets another bleak ranking
The Beacon Hill Institute has issued a new report on state economic competitiveness. Not surprising, Pennsylvania ranks poorly – 39th out of the fifty states. You can find the…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s economic climate gets another bleak rankingGovernment Accountability
PA Lawmakers, Executives, Judges Get Pay Raise
Patriot News story on the 2.8% cost of living increase that Pennsylvania lawmakers will get beginning Dec. 1, and state judges and executive branch officials will get the raise…
Media
Read More: PA Lawmakers, Executives, Judges Get Pay RaisePublic Union Democracy
Ending secret ballot elections: Change you can believe in?
Rick Berman of the Center for Union Facts writes in the DC Examiner that the first priority of the Obama Administration may well be outlawing secret ballots…
Media
Read More: Ending secret ballot elections: Change you can believe in?Taxes & Economy
Latest on automakers bailout
The Center for Fiscal Accountability has a letter opposing a bailout of automakers, joining NTU, which sent out their own letter. Alan Reynolds poses the question of…
Media
Read More: Latest on automakers bailoutGovernment Accountability
Open Records Are Not Optional
Editors of The Morning Call criticize Allentown mayor Ed Pawlowski for attempting to keep the cost of police contract negotiations secret despite the city’s home rule charter which specifically…
Media
Read More: Open Records Are Not OptionalRegulation
States Don’t Need a Bailout
Steven Malanga of the Manhattan Institute has an excellent editorial in the Wall Street Journal covering all the major topics of why states overspend – creating or…
Media
Read More: States Don’t Need a BailoutTaxes & Economy
Do you support limited government?
Jay P. Greene explains why anyone who believes in limited government and free markets should support the Commonwealth Foundation. Not directly, of course, but his conclusion is that…
Media
Read More: Do you support limited government?Education
Hope for me, but not for thee
Cross posted on Capital Domes. It seems Washington, D.C., is atwitter over President-elect Barack Obama’s first major decision. No, it’s not which cabinet post Hillary will get.
Media
Read More: Hope for me, but not for theeTaxes & Economy
Don’t bail out out our state!
The Commonwealth Foundation has joined with 58 other groups (led by the NTU) sending a letter to Congress on why a bailout of state and local governments…
Media
Read More: Don’t bail out out our state!Regulation
Pittsburgh Faces Billions in Unfunded Retiree Benefits
The Allegheny Institute has released a report on the mounting costs of OPEB or the public sector retiree benefits for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County employees. Previously…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Faces Billions in Unfunded Retiree Benefits