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.”
Interest earned vs. interest paid
Geoff Segal on the Reason Foundation’s blog points to a counter of the interest earned by Indiana from privatizing the Indiana toll road – currently at $180 million,…
Media
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Don’t bank on legality of I-80 tolls
Altoona Mirror advises lawmakers not to pass a plan that spends money from I-80 tolls, since getting I-80 tolls are questionable at best. From our News Release: “It…
Media
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Spending Increases = Cuts
Rep. Tim Solobay issues the first press release calling spending increases “cuts” (though several House Democrats did so in the floor debate): “The Senate removed millions from education” –…
Media
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Rendell’s Compromise: $3.7 billion in new spending
Gov. Rendell has been recently quoted naming all his “concessions” during budget negotiations. Even with “concessions” the Governor is still demanding $3.7 billion more in new taxes, fees/tolls, and debt…
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Stealth Lawmaking Lives
From Democracy Rising….Stealth Lawmaking Lives: House Suspends Rules, Commits $1.65 BillionThis week the PA House proved why changing the rules doesn’t…
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Budget Updates
Some stories on the state budget negotiations:Patriot NewsPost-GazetteInquirer/APAP on tolling I-80, quoting PennDot study from two years ago: “Based on the long…
Media
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Higher Taxes, More Debt Coming Down the Pike
Commonwealth Foundation warns against transportation funding proposal Harrisburg, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation warned against the higher fees and long-term debt encompassed in the transportation funding proposals winding their…
Press Release
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Senate votes to ban lame duck session
The state Senate voted to pass a Constitutional amendment, authored by Sen. Regola that would ban the “lame duck” session. One small step for reform. Topics on this…
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Higher Debt and tolls coming soon
Marc Levy of the AP reports that the Turnpike Commission’s Mike Long’s Vince Fumo’s “Senate compromise” plan to toll I-80, issue $4 billion in new debt, and increase Turnpike…
Media
Read More: Higher Debt and tolls coming soon
Taxes on the Poor
NCPA report looks at how certain taxes disproportionately fall on low income holder – specifically taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and the most regressive of all, lottery/gambling. Funny how those…
Media
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State looking at 6,000 retirees
Patriot News on the unusually high number of state workers set to retire this year. Perfect opportunity to reform the pension system.
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Legislature should vet numbers on leasing
The Patriot News calls on the Governor and lawmakers to “finish the script” and take bids for a Turnpike lease – even if it takes a little longer than…
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Rendell, GOP clash over kindergarten cash
Philadelphia Inquirer on the debate over state funded and controlled Preschool. Read our Policy Brief on the inflated benefits of universal preschool. Topics on this page…
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Updates on the Budget Negotiations
The AP’s Marc Levy on the behind-the-scenes budget negotiations. Of particular interest is this: The House Republican leader, Sam Smith of Jefferson County, said that if budget negotiations…
Media
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Energy Depletion
Ed Rendell has been in politics for too long. That is the only way to explain his apparent belief that Harrisburg politicians know more about which alternative energy prospects are…
Commentary
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Anti-Universal Coverage Club
Cato’s Michael Cannon has launced the Anti-Universal Coverage Club, which questions the dogmatic mantra of “universal” health insurance. The guiding principles of the Anti-Universal Coverage Club are: 1. Health…
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Turnpike lease idea detoured to future
Charles Thompson in the Patriot News on Gov. Rendell giving up, for now, the idea of leasing the Turnpike. Some supporters of free enterprise see this as a…
Media
Read More: Turnpike lease idea detoured to futureTaxes & Economy
Property Seizures Threaten PA Small Business
Being a small business owner in Pennsylvania is not easy. There’s the punishing tax burden levied by state and local governments that see small firms not so much as vital…
Commentary
Read More: Property Seizures Threaten PA Small BusinessTaxes & Economy
How to Fix Mass Transit
In their final report, the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission wrote: The Commission concludes that no additional funding should be provided for highways, bridges and transit unless a series…
Commentary
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More on SCHIP
After noting yesterday that Governor Rendell demanded more federal SCHIP money to fund his “Cover All Kids” initiative, I saw this recent Heritage Foundation WebMemo summarizing research that…
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Orie wants to change turnpike commission
Post-Gazette on Sen. Orie’s three proposals to reform the Turnpike Commission: Prohibit the commission from hiring outside lobbyists. Turnpike contracts and bond work would be competitively bid. Future employees…
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