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.”
Energy
Governor Shapiro Again Blames PJM for High Energy Prices, Ignores True Culprit: His Policies
Harrisburg, Pa., September 22, 2025 — This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro is speaking as Pennsylvania hosts PJM governors for the Multi-State Technical Conference in Philadelphia. The conference comes on the…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro Again Blames PJM for High Energy Prices, Ignores True Culprit: His Policies
Myths and Facts: Public Cyber Charter Schools
Summary Myths and misinformation obscure the facts about Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter school students. Proposed cuts to cyber students will force the closure of up to nine of Pennsylvania’s 14…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Myths and Facts: Public Cyber Charter Schools
The Political Theater of SEPTA and House Democrats
Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. The Emmy might have gone to “The Pitt.” But Pennsylvania Democrats and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) deserved the award for best…
Media Hit
Read More: The Political Theater of SEPTA and House DemocratsState Budget
Pennsylvania Has a Budget Deficit. So Why Are Taxpayers Funding Lobbyists?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Should Pennsylvania taxpayers fund political lobbying efforts for taxpayer-funded organizations lobbying for more taxpayer funds? Not only is this practice misguided, but it’s also fundamentally wrong, blurring…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Has a Budget Deficit. So Why Are Taxpayers Funding Lobbyists?State Budget
Gov. Shapiro Cannot Be Allowed to Tap Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund
Orginally published by LNP/Lancaster Online. Gov. Josh Shapiro has a spending problem, and he wants to smash open Pennsylvania’s piggy bank to placate his expensive habits. In February, Shapiro proposed…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro Cannot Be Allowed to Tap Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund
When Our Republic Stops Talking
Originally published in Broad + Liberty. America lost a faith-filled husband, father, and patriot. For many, there will be a permanent hole in their hearts and a void in their…
Media Hit
Read More: When Our Republic Stops TalkingEducation
The Violent Schools Democratic Governors Don’t Want You to Know About
Originally published by the Daily Caller. Democratic governors have recently made headlines by downplaying the violence their constituents face daily. But what’s even more alarming is the amount of school…
Media Hit
Read More: The Violent Schools Democratic Governors Don’t Want You to Know AboutEducation
Students Need Alternatives
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Despite the Pennsylvania budget being more than two months late, Gov. Josh Shapiro still found time for a photo opportunity…
Media Hit
Read More: Students Need AlternativesState Budget
Corporate Welfare in Governor Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2025–26 Budget Proposal
Summary Pennsylvania’s economy lags behind other states, hindered by high taxes and burdensome regulations. As a result, the state suffers from continued outmigration, with residents leaving for better opportunities in…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Corporate Welfare in Governor Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2025–26 Budget ProposalState Budget
Commonwealth Foundation Urges Legal Protection of State’s Rainy Day Fund
Letter calls on Treasurer Garrity to withhold any transfer from the budget stabilization reserve fund, pending legal adjudication. Harrisburg, Pa., September 8, 2025 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Urges Legal Protection of State’s Rainy Day FundEducation
New Poll: Inflation, Economy, Taxes, and Crime Top Voter Concerns, Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget Impasse
Harrisburg, Pa., September 3, 2025 — Fewer than 4-in-10 Pennsylvania voters believe the state is on the right track, according to new polling released today by the Commonwealth Foundation.
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Inflation, Economy, Taxes, and Crime Top Voter Concerns, Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget ImpasseEducation
Rethinking School District Reserve Funds as Students Return to Class
Pennsylvania must focus on funding students. Overview After years of property tax hikes and significant increases in state funding, Pennsylvania school districts ended the 2023–24 school year with more than…
Backgrounder
Read More: Rethinking School District Reserve Funds as Students Return to ClassGovernment Accountability
SEPTA’s Manufactured Crisis Has Delayed State Budget Long Enough
Harrisburg, Pa., August 22, 2025 — This Sunday, after eight consecutive weeks of public fearmongering, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will enact self-imposed service cuts. Though completely avoidable, these…
Press Release
Read More: SEPTA’s Manufactured Crisis Has Delayed State Budget Long EnoughState Budget
SEPTA, Shapiro, and House Dems Own This Budget Stalemate
Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. The Pennsylvania budget is, once again, late. Budget negotiations have come to a standstill over one issue: bailing out…
Media Hit
Read More: SEPTA, Shapiro, and House Dems Own This Budget StalemateEducation
New TV/Digital Ad: Shapiro’s Budget Impasse is Failing Kids & Families
Harrisburg, Pa., August 22, 2025 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation launched a new ad, calling for Gov. Josh Shapiro to end the budget impasse with a compromise that protects families…
Press Release
Read More: New TV/Digital Ad: Shapiro’s Budget Impasse is Failing Kids & FamiliesEducation
Pennsylvania Students Can’t Succeed if They Aren’t Safe
Originally published by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. According to federal and state law, the Keystone State owes parents of students attending dangerous schools the chance to transfer…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Students Can’t Succeed if They Aren’t SafeEnergy
Electricity Bills Too High? Bad Energy Policies Are to Blame.
Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Hot enough for you? If this muggy Pennsylvania heat doesn’t have you sweating, your monthly electricity bills will. Power usage surged during…
Media Hit
Read More: Electricity Bills Too High? Bad Energy Policies Are to Blame.Government Accountability
Shapiro’s Shadow Campaign: Taxpayer Funds Power National PR Machine
Originally published by RealClearPolitics. As speculation around his presidential ambitions swirls, make no mistake: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is already campaigning. And his national shadow…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s Shadow Campaign: Taxpayer Funds Power National PR MachineState Budget
Pa. Senate Passes Budget Protecting Taxpayers, as Shapiro, House Democrats Continue Gridlock
Harrisburg, Pa., August 12, 2025 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate is advancing a spending bill that provides the clearest path forward in months toward a sustainable state budget. The commonwealth is…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Senate Passes Budget Protecting Taxpayers, as Shapiro, House Democrats Continue GridlockRegulation
It’s Time to REIN in Pennsylvania Regulations
Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal. Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) recently highlighted how his plans to “fast-track” permitting helped Amazon invest $20 million in new workforce and…
Media Hit
Read More: It’s Time to REIN in Pennsylvania RegulationsEducation
More Options
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pennsylvania public schools continue to fail kids with special needs. According to recent coverage by The…
Media Hit
Read More: More Options