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”
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…
Media
Read More: “The truth is in the toilet”Education
PHEAA says receipts would reveal secrets
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…
Media
Read More: PHEAA says receipts would reveal secretsGovernment Accountability
Cohen hits the books: $28,200 worth
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…
Media
Read More: Cohen hits the books: $28,200 worthGovernment Accountability
TV Coverage of Commonwealth Foundation at PLC
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 PLCTaxes & Economy
PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging Behind
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…
Media
Read More: PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging BehindTaxes & Economy
Wages of Politics
Wall Street Journal on the minimum wage. Topics on this page The Wall Street Journal…
Media
Read More: Wages of PoliticsRegulation
“That’s the way the system works”
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…
Media
Read More: “That’s the way the system works”Regulation
War on Wal-Mart coming to PA
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…
Media
Read More: War on Wal-Mart coming to PARegulation
Pay Raise and Pensions Linked
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…
Media
Read More: Pay Raise and Pensions LinkedTaxes & Economy
Where does the state rank?
Philadelphia Daily News edits down our commentary. Topics on this page Philadelphia Daily News…
Media
Read More: Where does the state rank?Education
PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary
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…
Media
Read More: PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentaryRegulation
State lawmakers look to boost their pensions
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…
Media
Read More: State lawmakers look to boost their pensionsRegulation
Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantially
Excellent story on the looming pension crisis by Alison Hawkes in The Herald-Standard. But Rep. Mark Mustio points out the bigger problem: “It’s not like the system’s going to…
Media
Read More: Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantiallyRegulation
Raise repealed, but not retired
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…
Media
Read More: Raise repealed, but not retiredTaxes & Economy
Classy Economist
The Wall Street Journal on Dr. Thomas Sowell. Topics on this page The Wall Street JournalThomas Sowell…
Media
Read More: Classy EconomistRegulation
Buying ‘Burgh Votes
“Rendell: Plan ready to build new arena” in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Topics on this page Pittsburgh Tribune-Review…
Media
Read More: Buying ‘Burgh VotesPublic Union Democracy
Union membership continues slide in Pa.
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…
Media
Read More: Union membership continues slide in Pa.Regulation
Pension Editorials
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…
Media
Read More: Pension EditorialsGovernment Accountability
Rendell Vetoes “Fair Share Act”
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…
Media
Read More: Rendell Vetoes “Fair Share Act”Taxes & Economy
Abuse of Eminent Domain
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…
Media
Read More: Abuse of Eminent DomainTaxes & Economy
Earned Income Tax Credit, Not Minimum Wage Increase, Is Better Way
Employment Policies Institute testifies in Harrisburg in support of Earned Income Tax Credit Topics on this page HarrisburgMinimum wage…
Media
Read More: Earned Income Tax Credit, Not Minimum Wage Increase, Is Better Way