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.”
Taxes & Economy
The race for governor: Rendell’s ruse – PittsburghLIVE.com
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on “economic development.” Citing the Allegheny Institute, the Trib writes that “Government subsidized “economic development” — a classic example of misallocating of resources — does nothing…
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Read More: The race for governor: Rendell’s ruse – PittsburghLIVE.comPublic Union Democracy
The New Union Label: Closed!
From the New York Times: The Center for Union Facts shot onto the public stage yesterday by running full-page ads in The New York Times, The Washington Post…
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Read More: The New Union Label: Closed!Public Union Democracy
“Don’t be talkin’ bad about me” protest
Teachers’ union rally to protest “20/20” piece (John Stossel’s “Stupid in America,” which details how unions have stood in way of school reform) will occur on March 8.
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Read More: “Don’t be talkin’ bad about me” protestEducation
Exceptions are rule for Act 72
The Times Leader points out the “referendum in name only” aspects of Act 72…which are also present in the various bills winding their way through the General Assembly. For…
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Read More: Exceptions are rule for Act 72Regulation
If only your retirement could be this good
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Brian O’Neill writes about Rep. Jeff Habay’s prison sentence for stealing from the taxpayers to run his campaign, but points out the bigger scandal: the state…
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Read More: If only your retirement could be this goodGovernment Accountability
Thinking about running for public office?
The Associated Press provides a good Q&A on what it takes to run for the Pennsylvania Legislatures. Interested? Click here to learn more. Topics on this page…
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Read More: Thinking about running for public office?Government Accountability
City Slickers #1 and #2
This is funny. The Lt. Governor’s office issued this news release announcing that she and Gov. Rendell purchased the first and second fishing license. Talk about two fishies out of…
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Read More: City Slickers #1 and #2Regulation
Pensions: Hedging Bets In Harrisburg
This story, “Pensions: Hedging Bets In Harrisburg,” from Business Week (you’ll need to register to read it, but it’s free) reveals the shaking ground upon which Pennsylvania’s public pension…
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Read More: Pensions: Hedging Bets In HarrisburgWelfare
Welfare cuts [or welfare EXPANSION by Rendell] have counties scrambling
Philadelphia Inquirer story “Welfare cuts have counties scrambling” are missing THE major reason that counties like Bucks and Montgomery will be raising taxes — the dramatic increases in welfare…
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Read More: Welfare cuts [or welfare EXPANSION by Rendell] have counties scramblingTaxes & Economy
Rendell the Benevolent Job Creator
You may have heard Governor Rendell’s 2006-07 Budget Address, in which he once again touted his role in “creating jobs”. By using selected statistics, crediting any job growth in…
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Read More: Rendell the Benevolent Job Creator
Report card time: Rendell gets an F minus
Tony Phyrillas on the Liberty Index in The Mercury. Topics on this page Tony A. Phyrillas…
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Read More: Report card time: Rendell gets an F minusState Budget
Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act
MEMORANDUM DATE: February 8, 2006TO: All Republican SenatorsCC: Capitol NewsroomFROM: Erik ArnesonSUBJECT: Rendell 06-07 Budget Proposal vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act Gov. Rendell today claimed that his…
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Read More: Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness ActGovernment Accountability
How a Bill Becomes a Law … PA style
In an effort to settle a dispute between some shareholders of Philly-based Sovereign Bank, as reported by the Patriot News, some “ghost voting” ocurred in the Senate. The bill,…
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Read More: How a Bill Becomes a Law … PA styleTaxes & Economy
Absurd logic used to support minimum wage
Yet another example of the limitless rhetoric used to support a minimum wage increase. This time, Rep. Josephs calls out other female legislators, demanding that they support a minimum…
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Read More: Absurd logic used to support minimum wageTaxes & Economy
Spend more now, raises taxes later
The Cato Institute’s Chris Edwards reports that many states (like maybe Pennsylvania) are following the same mistakes of the late 90s in Busting the State Tax-Revenue Boom. When state…
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Read More: Spend more now, raises taxes laterTaxes & Economy
Mentality of Minimum Wage Supporters
The Morning Call is reporting that House Republicans may be the only barrier between Rendell and his labor union buddies’ artificial increas in the labor costs in PA. One…
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Mid-Term Grades
Liberty Index coverage in the Post-Gazette suggests some lawmakers may need to stay “after class”. Topics on this page Pittsburgh Post-Gazette…
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Lawmakers report card
Liberty Index coverage in the great Northwest. Read The Bradford Era story here.
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Read More: Lawmakers report card
How to reduce property taxes
An Americans for Tax Reform study on property tax reform in New Jersey and Massachusetts. While New Jersey attempted to reduce property taxes by creating an income tax with…
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Read More: How to reduce property taxesTaxes & Economy
Taxing telecommuters
New study from the The Tax Foundation on how New York, Pennsylvania, and two oather states attempt to penalize telecommuters who choose not to live there. However, rather than…
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Read More: Taxing telecommutersState Budget
Rendell to propose business tax cuts
Attempting to reshape himself as a “pro-business” Democrat after 3 years of punishing job creators, Gov. Rendell gave a sneak peek into next week’s budget address. Remember, this is after…
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Read More: Rendell to propose business tax cuts