PostGazette slams Governor's shale commission as long on campaign contributors/drilling interests

[Divernan]

Out of balance?
Governor's shale commission is long on campaign contributors, drilling interests
Sunday, March 13, 2011
By Tracie Mauriello and Laura Olson, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette


HARRISBURG -- A new commission stacked with energy executives and campaign contributors -- including one with a history of environmental violations -- has been tasked to ensure land and water are protected as they help grow the gas drilling industry in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday created the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, and assigned its 30 members to figure out how to balance job creation with environmental protection.

If the composition of the commission is any indication, the scales will tip toward job creation. The group includes 13 people with ties to the gas industry and only four environmentalists. The others are state and local government officials and a geologist.

Thirteen of the members contributed a total of $557,000 to Mr. Corbett's political campaigns since 2008; 12 have ties with companies whose executives or political action committees contributed another $562,000; one is the son of a $300,000 contributor. All together that amounted to just over $1.4 million.
Out of balance?
Governor's shale commission is long on campaign contributors, drilling interests
Sunday, March 13, 2011
By Tracie Mauriello and Laura Olson, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley == Will lead commission.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11072/1131681-454.stm

[Divernan]

1. Commission Headed by Lt. Gov. Jm "Bobble Head" Cawley

How in hell did Pennsylvania end up with the penultimate "yes man", Cawley, whose only prior work experience is listed as Chief of Staff for a single state Senator. That translates to the go-fer who badgered the secretary if she came in late, picked up the senator's dry cleaning, and was responsible for scheduling the lobbyists' meetings with his boss when they came by to drop off their pre-written, proposed legislation and campaign checks.

I call him Bobble Head because he was on screen over the Governor's shoulder (sitting behind him) during the Governor's budget speech to the General Assembly. He was nodding in continuous agreement throughout - Ed McMahon never sucked up to Johnny Carson that much.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Impeach him!

As PA doesn't allow recall of the guv, I would gladly support any & all efforts to impeach his ass out of office.

[Divernan]

3. Dem. Rep. Bud George continues to kick GOP ass in defense of the environment.

The article quotes Representative Bud George:
"No one should be surprised by the composition of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission," said state Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield. "Yes, there are members appointed who will stand tall for responsible environmental protections. However, I think the panel is overwhelmingly tilted in favor of the industry and for the governor who appointed them."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11072/1131681-454.stm#ixzz1GU5yVAEE

I have to tell you all that this man should be the role model for all Democratic politicians.
This grand old man has been fighting the good fight for the environment in Pennsylvania since he was first elected to the House in 1974! That's THIRTY SEVEN YEARS. He is a navy veteran (1946-47) which I figure makes him over 80 years old by now. If the rest of the representatives served the Commonwealth half as ethically and selflessly as Bud George has, our state would be a utopian ideal.

He is one of the handful of state representatives who doesn't sell out to lobbyists/special interests. The only special interests he works for are a healthy environment and healthy Pennsylvanians. George is known in Harrisburg as a fiery orator who works diligently on behalf of environmental, education, consumer protection, and economic development issues.
He is tough as nails and pulls no punches in calling out corrupt legislation/sponsors, but I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with him and his wife years back on a tour of a state waterway. He was absolutely devoted to her and as courtly and gentlemanly as one could imagine. If you want to keep up on Marcellus shale, legislation wise, go to his website.
http://www.pahouse.com/george/

[PA Democrat]

4. It is shocking how blatant Corbett has been in his hand over

of OUR state to his corporate cronies. I am waiting for some of the state's struggling school districts to be turned over to private interests after Corbett's cuts to their funding.

Damn the PG for endorsing Corbett.

[wisteria]

5. Corbett is a tool for larger interests in the state that do not benefit the working class,

students, unions or education. The only interest is in big business and making money for them. I see a dark cloud hanging over PA as long as he is our governor.

[blue neen]

6. K & R!

It's about time the Post Gazette started telling the truth about Tom Corbett. Too bad, they didn't do that last fall when they decided to endorse him.

[JPZenger]

7. Corbett's New Nickname - "the Gashole"

[blue neen]

8. OMG!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

You should win some kind of award for that one! :toast:

[Useless in FL]

9. LOL!

Perfect!

[livetohike]

10. Good one!

:toast: