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
Four Teachers Finally Gain Control Over their Paycheck
Jane Ladley retired from teaching three years ago, but until two weeks ago the teachers union held part of her pay in escrow. Jane was a religious objector to…
Media
Read More: Four Teachers Finally Gain Control Over their PaycheckHealth Care
Protecting Home Care Workers from Gov. Wolf’s Invasive Executive Order
Legislative action must correct Gov. Wolf's executive overreach into the daily lives of home care workers and elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians.
Memo
Read More: Protecting Home Care Workers from Gov. Wolf’s Invasive Executive OrderRegulation
Gov. Wolf’s Unfair Demands Will Hinder the Economy
The Wolf administration is once again attempting to impose excessive costs on the gas industry—and consumers—by proposing triple-digit-percentage increases in fees for authorizing well development. Pennsylvania charges more for…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Unfair Demands Will Hinder the EconomyCriminal Justice Reform
Criminal Justice Reform Should Reflect People’s Willingness to Change
My dad is one of the hardest working people I know. When I was younger, I used to stay up so late playing video games that I would still be…
Media
Read More: Criminal Justice Reform Should Reflect People’s Willingness to ChangeTaxes & Economy
The Unmistakable Merits of Tax Reform
Later today, Rep. Seth Grove and the York County House Delegation will host a legislative forum on the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed late last year.
Media
Read More: The Unmistakable Merits of Tax ReformPublic Union Democracy
Survey: Majority of Government Union Members Approve of Janus Decision
A majority of government workers agree with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision, according to a nationwide survey released last week. The survey of government union…
Press Release
Read More: Survey: Majority of Government Union Members Approve of Janus DecisionEducation
Safe Schools and School Choice
It’s back-to-school time. For parents, sending children into someone else’s care can be bittersweet. We want our kids to experience the wonder of learning and the joy of play. But…
Media
Read More: Safe Schools and School Choice
Guest Post: Pa. Government Workers Need a Voice
I love reading the Commonwealth Foundation’s take on policies that will benefit Pennsylvania. It’s not about abstract beliefs. It’s because the Commonwealth Foundation and I see eye-to-eye on the one…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: Pa. Government Workers Need a Voice
Another Corporate Welfare Failure
In a story (paywall) on Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (R-Cap), Robert Swift raises a valid concern about the role the program plays in elections. R-Cap, which uses taxpayer-financed…
Media
Read More: Another Corporate Welfare FailurePublic Union Democracy
Pa. Supreme Court Allows Stealth Unionization of Home Care Workers
In 2015, Dave Smith and Don Lambrecht were catapulted to the center-stage of Pennsylvania policy, a role neither man ever wanted by fighting a threat to their way of life. Permanently…
Media
Read More: Pa. Supreme Court Allows Stealth Unionization of Home Care WorkersPublic Union Democracy
Unions’ Investment Pays Off, Court OKs Wolf’s Home Care Unionization Scheme
Today, the state Supreme Court reinstated Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2015 executive order allowing more than 20,000 home care workers to be unionized. Wolf’s order was previously declared illegal and permanently…
Press Release
Read More: Unions’ Investment Pays Off, Court OKs Wolf’s Home Care Unionization SchemeState Budget
Refocus on Government Assistance that Transforms Lives for Good
Six years ago, the Pennsylvania legislature ended the General Assistance program, a monthly cash benefit to disabled adults. In that same bill, Pennsylvania strengthened food stamp work requirements (later rolled…
Media
Read More: Refocus on Government Assistance that Transforms Lives for GoodPublic Union Democracy
Advancing Workplace Freedom For Public Employees
Efforts to enhance public sector workplace democracy has gained momentum in the Pennsylvania legislature. In Janus v. AFSCME, the Supreme Court restored workers’ freedom to stop paying fees to unions they…
Media
Read More: Advancing Workplace Freedom For Public EmployeesCriminal Justice Reform
Removing Barriers to Work for Ex-Offenders
Pennsylvania has a 3-year recidivism rate of nearly 61 percent. Research shows one of the most critical components of successful re-entry is a job. But for 255…
Memo
Read More: Removing Barriers to Work for Ex-OffendersState Budget
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in Pennsylvania
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides tax relief to working people across all income levels. Since its passage, more than 660 businesses have announced raises, bonuses, or enhanced retirement benefits…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in PennsylvaniaPublic Union Democracy
Union Resignation Guide
Are you dissatisfied with your union representation? If so, you have the power to resign your membership without paying an agency fee. Here are pointers to guide you through the process.
Commentary
Read More: Union Resignation GuideGovernment Accountability
Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.
Pennsylvania’s prohibition error(!) liquor system lends itself to corruption. The sentencing of former Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) official James Short serves as a stark reminder of this undeniable fact.
Media
Read More: Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.Public Union Democracy
Restoring Public Sector Workers’ Resignation Rights
Many public sector employees remain unaware of their new-found rights to not pay fair share fees, while also facing onerous resignation restrictions. Luckily, lawmakers are working to promote workers' Janus…
Memo
Read More: Restoring Public Sector Workers’ Resignation RightsTaxes & Economy
Tax Reform Continues to Produce Positive News
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has provided much-needed tax relief to working people—a key selling point leading up to passage of the law. However, the act’s advocates…
Media
Read More: Tax Reform Continues to Produce Positive NewsEducation
“Sick Schools”: Philadelphia Students Deserve Better
Earlier this year, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News published a shocking series, “Toxic City: Sick Schools.” The report revealed abysmal conditions in Philadelphia district schools: peeling lead paint,…
Media
Read More: “Sick Schools”: Philadelphia Students Deserve Better