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.”
Health Care
Health Insurance Mandate Update
Wall Street Journal op-ed by CAHI researchers on the cost of the 1,961 health insurance mandates. A health-insurance “mandate” is a legislative requirement that an insurance company or…
Media
Read More: Health Insurance Mandate UpdateState Budget
New Borrowing + New Taxes = “Avoidance of Debt”
In the Post-Gazette, Governor Rendell continues to argue that his insurance tax is a tax: Mr. Rendell strongly denies that the surcharge is a new tax. Instead,…
Media
Read More: New Borrowing + New Taxes = “Avoidance of Debt”Taxes & Economy
Federal Stimulus=$300K per job
The Heritage Foundation Foundry Blog sums up the “economic stimulus” package just passed by the US Senate. OMB Director Jim Nussle (advocating in favor of the stimulus package),…
Media
Read More: Federal Stimulus=$300K per jobTaxes & Economy
Proposed PA Budget Details
For all the budget watchers and number-crunchers out there, here are some additional budget resources: Spreadsheet with all the line items from the proposed General Fund Budget (Microsoft Excel…
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Read More: Proposed PA Budget DetailsTaxes & Economy
Is Rendell Nuts?
Pennsylvania governor confuses taxpayers with leprechauns HARRISBURG, PA — In Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget address, he called for higher and new taxes that, if passed by the…
Press Release
Read More: Is Rendell Nuts?Taxes & Economy
Video from Budget Biopsy Luncheon
Watch Below or here…
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Read More: Video from Budget Biopsy LuncheonTaxes & Economy
Are You Nuts Governor?
Governor Ed Rendell goes ballistic on KDKA reporter Jon Delano, asking “Are you nuts, Jon? Are you nuts?” (watch the incredible Video Clip) Delano’s sanity is in question…
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Read More: Are You Nuts Governor?Taxes & Economy
Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business owners
Governor Rendell’s budget calls for another slowdown of the Corporate Stock and Franchise Tax phaseout. While this isn’t technically a tax increase – rather represents less of a reduction…
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Read More: Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business ownersHealth Care
Cover A Few Pennsylvanians update
A few weeks ago, we put out some quick facts about the few Pennsylvanians that would be covered by “Cover All Pennsylvanians.” Based on the new Governor’s budget, we…
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Read More: Cover A Few Pennsylvanians updateGovernment Accountability
Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunched
The Liberty Index, now produced by the Conservative Reform PAC was released today, rating all state legislators and Governor Rendell on legislation through the end 2007. Hat Tip…
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Read More: Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunchedTaxes & Economy
Grow the Economy, Not Government
Rendell misplaces his faith in government to stimulate the economy HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment in Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget proposal that would…
Press Release
Read More: Grow the Economy, Not GovernmentHealth Care
Rendell still pushing RendellCare
Within the last few weeks, three state health care proposals fundamentally similar to Governor Rendell’s “Cover All Pennsylvanians” added to my “bad ideas pile” California legislators overwhelming rejected…
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Read More: Rendell still pushing RendellCare
Turnpike leasing gets another look
Editorial in the Lancaster New Era on a Turnpike lease takes to task the fearmongers opposing the idea: Are opponents skeptical, or fearful, of turning the turnpike over…
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Read More: Turnpike leasing gets another lookRegulation
Rendell’s Stimulus
Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced his wealth redistribution scheme, which he calls “economic stimulus”. His plan includes Cash welfare payments: Rendell is proposing spending $130 million (borrowing it from the…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s StimulusGovernment Accountability
“Groundhog day” on Open Records
The Open Records bill (SB 1) is expected to be voted on in the House this week, after passing the Senate last week. See the press release from Common…
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Read More: “Groundhog day” on Open RecordsEducation
Budget Preview
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story previews Rendell’s budget proposal, including “Rebuilding Pennsylvania”, involving a three-year, $860 million ($287/year average) in new spending on infrastructure, mostly through new borrowing. He also promises…
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Read More: Budget PreviewHealth Care
Equity and Health Care
Wall Street Journal editorial looks at reforming health care through the tax code. That is, giving individuals the same tax benefits in buying health insurance as employers, along with…
Media
Read More: Equity and Health CareState Budget
Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?
The Patriot News profiles Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and it looks like he will be putting the Taxpayer Protection Act as a top priority, and even suggests…
Media
Read More: Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?Regulation
Specter and the NFL
The response to news that Arlen Specter wants to hold hearing with the NFL over “spy-gate” has been met with universal disdain – see, for instance, Don Boudreaux’s…
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Read More: Specter and the NFLTaxes & Economy
Climate Debate Daily
New website, Climate Debate Daily, features the latest updates on the debate over global warming – what is occuring, why it is occuring, and what to do about it…
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Read More: Climate Debate DailyTaxes & Economy
Understanding the Laffer Curve
Center for Freedom and Propserity provides this video on the Laffer Curve. The key points are that 1)Most tax cuts spur economic growth and provide “feedback” tax revenue. 2)…
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Read More: Understanding the Laffer Curve