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
New Lawsuit Challenges Union Resignation Restrictions
Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court freed all public sector workers from paying agency fees to a union they didn’t join. Since then, many workers who are dissatisfied with…
Media
Read More: New Lawsuit Challenges Union Resignation RestrictionsCriminal Justice Reform
Three Bills to Help Vulnerable Pennsylvanians Await Signature
Last week we celebrated passage of a transformative welfare reform bill, which Governor Wolf vetoed late Friday afternoon. But it wasn't the only good policy that cleared both chambers…
Media
Read More: Three Bills to Help Vulnerable Pennsylvanians Await SignatureEducation
Pennsylvania’s Opportunity Gap
As highlighted in a recent CF report, 50 percent of student tax credit scholarship applications since 2012 have been denied due to program limits. “In 2016-17 alone, almost…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Opportunity GapHealth Care
Wolf Vetoes Opportunity for Healthy Adults to Escape Poverty
October 19, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Late this afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed HB 2138, a bold anti-poverty bill aimed at helping Pennsylvanians achieve independence. The legislation would have incentivized healthy,…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Vetoes Opportunity for Healthy Adults to Escape PovertyTaxes & Economy
Natural Gas Outshines Solar, Blows Past Wind
Natural gas is by far the best the most efficient way to produce electricity, according to a recent report by the Manhattan Institute. The report indicates that dollar-for-dollar,…
Media
Read More: Natural Gas Outshines Solar, Blows Past WindPublic Union Democracy
Labor Unrest…From Union Employees
Imagine: you are a hard-working custodian who scrubs bathrooms and vacuums hallways for a company you’ve always respected. It’s an honest job, and when the company tells you it values…
Media
Read More: Labor Unrest…From Union EmployeesEducation
The Need for Charter Schools
For 133,000 children across Pennsylvania, charter schools do more than provide an education. Charter schools provide an alternative for kids whose needs aren't met in district schools—they…
Media
Read More: The Need for Charter SchoolsCriminal Justice Reform
A Victory for Fairness and Work
The General Assembly overwhelming passed House Bill 163 last night—an important win for people who believe in fair punishments and work as a means to independence. The legislation,…
Media
Read More: A Victory for Fairness and WorkHealth Care
Pa. Legislature Sends Landmark Anti-Poverty Reform to Gov. Wolf
October 17, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the Pennsylvania Legislature sent a landmark anti-poverty bill to Governor Wolf’s desk. HB 2138 will help healthy, childless adults enrolled in Medicaid move from…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Legislature Sends Landmark Anti-Poverty Reform to Gov. WolfRegulation
Corporate Welfare: A Bad Deal for Pennsylvanians
Hanover company WNS closed its doors for good at the end of September, putting 107 men and women out of work. This news comes just two years after Governor…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare: A Bad Deal for PennsylvaniansRegulation
Corporate Welfare’s Record of Failure
In a free market economy, entrepreneurs succeed or fail based on their ability to meet their customers’ needs. Yet all too often, government disrupts this process by conferring tax credits,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Corporate Welfare’s Record of FailureCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania’s Financial Condition? Critical
Despite what you may have heard, Pennsylvania’s fiscal troubles haven’t disappeared. The recent state budget did not address the commonwealth’s short- or long-term financial challenges. It merely papered over them.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Financial Condition? CriticalWelfare
Welfare Reform is On the Cusp
Major welfare reform is nearing the governor’s desk. Three bills, two in the Senate and one in House, contain significant improvements to our human service programs. SB 6 protects…
Media
Read More: Welfare Reform is On the CuspPublic Union Democracy
Crucial Janus Legislation Deferred
To enact important reforms before the end of legislative session, Pennsylvania lawmakers must run bills on a tight schedule. Unfortunately, on Wednesday House leadership removed a Janus enforcement bill (HB 2571) from consideration—meaning…
Media
Read More: Crucial Janus Legislation DeferredCriminal Justice Reform
Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ Potential
Pennsylvania’s poverty rate remains far too high. Employers can’t find workers with technical skills, and the commonwealth continues to lead the northeast in incarcerating our citizens. One organization is…
Media
Read More: Unlocking Pennsylvanians’ PotentialEducation
Applying to a Philly Charter School Just Got Easier
For many families, navigating a mystifying and meandering path through rows and rows of corn stalks has become a favorite fall tradition. Often—especially for the more adventurous kids—getting lost in…
Media
Read More: Applying to a Philly Charter School Just Got EasierPublic Union Democracy
Top 10 Recipients of Government Union PAC Contributions
Government unions have spent more than $120 million since 2007 to advance their fiercely partisan and political agenda. As the graphic below shows, Democratic candidates receive the most direct PAC donations from…
Media
Read More: Top 10 Recipients of Government Union PAC ContributionsEducation
School Choice: Diverse Options for Diverse Families
The Long and Winding Road. In addition to being a great song by the Beatles, this phrase sums up my family’s educational journey. My children spent time in a local…
Media
Read More: School Choice: Diverse Options for Diverse FamiliesPublic Union Democracy
Top 5 Reasons to Support HB 2571
HB 2571 is a commonsense reform that benefits public sector workers and aligns Pennsylvania law with the U.S. Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision. Here are five reasons it must…
Media
Read More: Top 5 Reasons to Support HB 2571Education
Unions and their Impact on Teachers
Conventional wisdom tells us unions are good for teachers. But is this true? While teachers’ unions have certainly benefited union leadership, rank and file teachers should carefully evaluate the…
Media
Read More: Unions and their Impact on TeachersPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions ?’All-In’ for Wolf, Give Over $10 Million in Political Support
Pennsylvania’s government unions have crossed the $10 million mark in political support for Gov. Tom Wolf, according to a Commonwealth Foundation analysis of the latest campaign filings. Since 2013, government…
Press Release
Read More: Government Unions ?’All-In’ for Wolf, Give Over $10 Million in Political Support