Erik Telford

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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.” 

Public Union Democracy

“The truth is in the toilet”

  • April 6, 2006

Michael Smerconish of the Philadelphia Daily News writes about the REAL reason his newspaper is being sold — the labor unions. Topics on this page Michael…

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Education

PHEAA says receipts would reveal secrets

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 5, 2006

PHEAA refuses to disclose what they are spending their money on, the Patriot News reports, citing “trade secrets.” Far be it from me to suggest that taxpayers and…

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Government Accountability

Cohen hits the books: $28,200 worth

  • April 3, 2006

Rep. Cohen, the #3 leader of the House Dems, is a self-described “voracious reader.” The bad news is that we taxpayers are being compelled to support his habit. According to…

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Read More: Cohen hits the books: $28,200 worth

Government Accountability

TV Coverage of Commonwealth Foundation at PLC

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2006

If you won’t be able to attend the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, you will still be able to catch it all live on PCN – Pennsylvania Cable Network, starting…

Media

Read More: TV Coverage of Commonwealth Foundation at PLC

Taxes & Economy

PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging Behind

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 28, 2006

Release from the BEA this morning on State Personal Income 2005. Pennsylvania ranked 37th in personal income growth in 2005, not as low as past years, but below the…

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Taxes & Economy

Wages of Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 28, 2006

Wall Street Journal on the minimum wage. Topics on this page The Wall Street Journal…

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Regulation

“That’s the way the system works”

  • March 28, 2006

Alletown Morning Call editorial on the “Quiet bump for legislators’ pensions adds to outrage over 2005 pay-grab“: Of the lawmakers retiring, 17 will see their pension benefit improve because…

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Regulation

War on Wal-Mart coming to PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 28, 2006

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Best quote: “Wal-Mart is trying to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.” Those heathens, trying to compete against unionized stores. Topics on…

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Regulation

Pay Raise and Pensions Linked

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 27, 2006

Coverage of the pay raise and pension link from Centre Daily Times, citing Rick Dreyfuss and our pension study. Topics on this page Centre Daily…

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Taxes & Economy

Where does the state rank?

  • March 27, 2006

Philadelphia Daily News edits down our commentary. Topics on this page Philadelphia Daily News…

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Education

PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary

  • March 26, 2006

Equal time was given to Tim Allwein of the PA School Boards Association to offer a rebutal to my commentary in last Sunday’s Patriot-News. Fair game. It should…

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Regulation

State lawmakers look to boost their pensions

  • March 26, 2006

Alison Hawkes in the Herald-Standard on the pension COLA debate. Side-Note: We’re not sure where, when, or why we started being called a “libertarian” think tank (although I think…

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Regulation

Raise repealed, but not retired

  • March 26, 2006

Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the benefits for retiring lawmakers, most of whom took the “unvouchered expenses” which boosted their pension payouts. Topics on this page The Philadelphia…

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Taxes & Economy

Classy Economist

  • March 25, 2006

The Wall Street Journal on Dr. Thomas Sowell. Topics on this page The Wall Street JournalThomas Sowell…

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Regulation

Buying ‘Burgh Votes

  • March 25, 2006

“Rendell: Plan ready to build new arena” in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Topics on this page Pittsburgh Tribune-Review…

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Public Union Democracy

Union membership continues slide in Pa.

  • March 25, 2006

No surprise. It is 2006, not 1926. But, having milked the private-sector cash cow dry, PA AFL-CIO President Bill George is turning to government sector jobs so he can…

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Regulation

Pension Editorials

  • March 24, 2006

The Valley Independent believes that the “Pension battle should be instructive,” while the Reading Eagle suggests that the “State pension plan needs to be revised.” Topics on…

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Government Accountability

Rendell Vetoes “Fair Share Act”

  • March 24, 2006

From the PA Manufacturers Association… FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2006 GOV. RENDELL VETOES BILL CANDIDATE RENDELL ENDORSEDFair Share Act vetoed by governor was identical to measure passed in…

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Taxes & Economy

Abuse of Eminent Domain

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2006

Harrisburg Airport continues its quest to use eminent domain to take over a nearby competitor, according to the Patriot News. The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) is trying…

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