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.”
Regulation
Govenment benefits for retirees grow into ‘monster’
An article in today’s USA TODAY points out that future unfunded liabilities for Medicare, Social Security, and govenment employees pensions and retirement benefits have grown to $57.8 trillion. To…
Media
Read More: Govenment benefits for retirees grow into ‘monster’State Budget
Return the Windfall Profits
There is a massive organization imposing a financial burden on the Pennsylvania economy. It is consuming an ever larger portion of the average person’s income. The costs for what it…
Commentary
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Government made bumper stickers
The Pennsylvania Office of Tourism (part of the Department of Community and Economic Development) have started voting for a PA Bumper Sticker. Not only is developing an “official state…
Media
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Building excise fees will not mean property-tax relief
Read Grant Gulibon’s commentary in the latest News Item. Topics on this page The News-Item…
Media
Read More: Building excise fees will not mean property-tax reliefRegulation
Perzel takes up state pension issue
House Speaker Perzel names a panel on state pension and retiree medical benefits to study the issues identified in the Commonwealth Foundation’s Pension Study. Perzel even suggests setting…
Media
Read More: Perzel takes up state pension issueTaxes & Economy
Building Excise Fees are Not Property Tax Relief
Henry David Thoreau said, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” In Pennsylvania, that “evil” is the school property…
Commentary
Read More: Building Excise Fees are Not Property Tax ReliefGovernment Accountability
Savor these election snapshots
OK, for the record, I don’t sleep in a coat and tie, despite what Pat Carroll thinks! 🙂 It has indeed been a great experience to work alongside folks…
Media
Read More: Savor these election snapshotsRegulation
VIP perks are history for ousted legislators
Morning Call on what the ousted Senate leaders will be losing as a result of their loss at the ballot box last Tuesday. Don’t worry though, they’ll still be…
Media
Read More: VIP perks are history for ousted legislatorsTaxes & Economy
PUC: Free market is OK
As reported in the Central Penn Business Journal, the Public Utility Commission will not stop a new taxicab company from competing with existing companies. It always heartwarming when a…
Media
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Eye of the Beholder
Tongue-in-cheek piece comparing California to Iraq (and media coverage of each) from The American Enterprise. Topics on this page American Enterprise InstituteCaliforniaIraq…
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Tax hike referendum sinks like a stone
The Bristol Township School District signed on to Act 72, the property tax shift proposal that 80% of school districts rejected. To my knowledge Bristol was the only district out…
Media
Read More: Tax hike referendum sinks like a stoneGovernment Accountability
John Baer on Tuesday’s Impact
There wasn’t a “clean sweep,” but there may very well be some “housecleaning.” Read more in the Philadelphia Daily News. Topics on this page Philadelphia Daily…
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Read More: John Baer on Tuesday’s ImpactGovernment Accountability
Even The Gray Lady Gets The Message In PA
From Captain’s Quarters Even The Gray Lady Gets The Message In PAThe New York Times recognized the Pennsylvania Earthquake which removed at least thirteen…
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Read More: Even The Gray Lady Gets The Message In PAGovernment Accountability
The Harrisburg Hogs
Wall Street Journal takes note of the PA primaries. The lesson from Tuesday’s results? “It seems this is a message GOP politicians have to relearn over and over: When…
Media
Read More: The Harrisburg HogsGovernment Accountability
Defeats leave power vacuum in Pa. Senate GOP leadership
AP story on the upcoming leadership changes in the Senate. Sen. Jake Corman apparently got part of the message: “Clearly the election was a mandate for government reform,” Corman…
Media
Read More: Defeats leave power vacuum in Pa. Senate GOP leadershipGovernment Accountability
The Victory In Primaries For Conservatives
From the Captain’s Quarters Blog…. Over the past week, many of us have written on the frustration felt by conservatives (especially fiscal conservatives) over the past few years. Some…
Media
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The king is dead
Philadelphia Daily News’ John Baer on the “Astonishing defeats for Jubelirer, Brightbill” Topics on this page Philadelphia Daily News…
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Pay raise dooms top senators – Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Inquirer 05/17/2006 Pay raise dooms top senators Topics on this page Philadelphia Inquirer…
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Read More: Pay raise dooms top senators – Philadelphia InquirerGovernment Accountability
Payback: Pennsylvania voters kick out incumbents
Tony Phyrillas says: “The incumbents had the money. They had the name recognition. They had the party machine behind them. They had all the advantages. But they still lost.”…
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IT’S PAYBACK – Patriot-News
Anger over raise ousts Senate leaders Brightbill, Jubelirer Topics on this page United States Senate…
Media
Read More: IT’S PAYBACK – Patriot-NewsGovernment Accountability
‘Earthquake in Pennsylvania’
‘Earthquake in Pennsylvania’ – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Topics on this page PennsylvaniaPittsburgh Tribune-Review…
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