I suppose it might be sad to say that we were and were not surprised to hear this week that two dirty energy lobbyists helped craft the effort to neuter the Clean Air Act, which could next appear as an amendment to the Senate’s debt ceiling vote next week.
If you missed it, the Washington Post confirmed on Tuesday that lobbyists from Bracewell Giuliani and Sidley Austin helped write an amendment from Senator Lisa Murkowski that will strip Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate global warming pollution. Check out the Washington Post follow-up on it here, here and here.
Who are Bracewell Giuliani and Sidley Austin? Oh, only lobbying firms that represent Southern Company, Duke Energy, Progress Energy, and other major coal supporters. And the specific lobbyists who ghost-wrote this amendment, Jeffrey Holmstead and Roger Martella, held EPA positions during the Bush Administration.
If you recall, last month EPA declared that global warming pollution endangers human health and welfare and announced plans to limit emissions from big polluters. The decision is a long-time coming and is crucial in controlling the global warming pollution from the coal industry – which contributes 30% of total U.S. global warming emissions.
This amendment may come up for a vote on January 20th, and its passage would mean that big polluters will be bailed out by blocking President Obama and EPA from taking action to limit emissions.
After years of research, scientific debate, court cases, public hearings and comments, Senator Murkowski is suggesting that we simply choose to "un-learn" that global warming is happening and that it will be dangerous to human health and welfare.
But EPA is merely doing what the Clean Air Act already requires--and what it was ordered to do almost three years ago by the Supreme Court. And last month, more than 400,000 Americans submitted comments in favor of EPA's proposal to limit pollution from the biggest global warming polluters - among the highest number of comments ever submitted in favor of any proposal.
These big polluters – including the coal industry - are using the same tired old arguments, too. Suggestions that this EPA action means the agency plans to regulate farms, schools, hospitals, cows, and Dunkin' Donuts are simply false - EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has said as much on numerous occasions. In reality, EPA plans to limit the new common sense, economically feasible regulations to only the largest polluters. Those statements attempting to scare small businesses are merely misleading smears designed to derail any limits on polluters.
We cannot continue to let Big Coal push for loopholes and weakened pollution rules so they can keep making money.
Instead of looking for ways to delay action, senators need to finalize comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation as soon as soon possible - and more important in the short-term, they must say no to this amendment or any other attempt to weaken the Clean Air Act.
You can urge your senators to do as much - tell them to vote no on any amendment blocking EPA action on global warming emissions from the largest polluters.
Source:alternet.org/
Showing posts with label Gifts and meals from lobbyists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gifts and meals from lobbyists. Show all posts
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Rory Reid wants stricter lobbying, ethics rules
Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid said state government needs to be more transparent and loopholes in state ethics laws closed "so that Nevadans have faith in their government."
During stops in both Northern and Southern Nevada on Thursday, Reid, a Democrat who is running for governor, outlined his policy plan to tighten state ethics laws and impose tougher penalties on those who violate them.
"There's obvious deficiencies in existing Nevada law," Reid said. "(For example), a legislator could pass an agency's budget while at the same time lobby that agency for a private party. That doesn't engender confidence."
He said he would work to extend the period for legislators who leave office to two years before they could lobby their former colleagues.
Another example Reid cited is that even if an elected official is found to have violated state ethics laws, there is virtually no penalty unless the violation is determined to be "willful." He said he would mandate ethics education for elected officials, state employees and lobbyists and said any violation of state ethics laws should come with a penalty.
"If they violate it, there should be strict liability," he said. "There are all kinds of loopholes that need to be closed."
That includes members of the governor's staff, he said.
"I want my administration to be open and transparent so people understand why I'm doing what I'm doing," Reid said.
To that end, he said, his schedule would be posted on the Internet daily, he would hold weekly press conferences and periodic town hall meetings across the state.
He said any individuals he appoints to boards would be required to sign "a code of responsibility" and disclose any instances where they have a potential conflict of interest.
Reid said he also wants to tighten rules for lobbying.
"To get Nevada back on track, we need to create a foundation of trust," he said.
Source:rgj.com/
During stops in both Northern and Southern Nevada on Thursday, Reid, a Democrat who is running for governor, outlined his policy plan to tighten state ethics laws and impose tougher penalties on those who violate them.
"There's obvious deficiencies in existing Nevada law," Reid said. "(For example), a legislator could pass an agency's budget while at the same time lobby that agency for a private party. That doesn't engender confidence."
He said he would work to extend the period for legislators who leave office to two years before they could lobby their former colleagues.
Another example Reid cited is that even if an elected official is found to have violated state ethics laws, there is virtually no penalty unless the violation is determined to be "willful." He said he would mandate ethics education for elected officials, state employees and lobbyists and said any violation of state ethics laws should come with a penalty.
"If they violate it, there should be strict liability," he said. "There are all kinds of loopholes that need to be closed."
That includes members of the governor's staff, he said.
"I want my administration to be open and transparent so people understand why I'm doing what I'm doing," Reid said.
To that end, he said, his schedule would be posted on the Internet daily, he would hold weekly press conferences and periodic town hall meetings across the state.
He said any individuals he appoints to boards would be required to sign "a code of responsibility" and disclose any instances where they have a potential conflict of interest.
Reid said he also wants to tighten rules for lobbying.
"To get Nevada back on track, we need to create a foundation of trust," he said.
Source:rgj.com/
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Top House leader wants to ban gifts, meals from lobbyists
top Republican state House leader is suggesting lawmakers ban lobbyists from giving them gifts and most free meals.
With some former colleagues recently pleading guilty to federal crimes, several state lawmakers are introducing legislation this month to reform the way they do business in Jefferson City.
On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steven Tilley unveiled a package of governmental reforms aimed at eliminating the perception that lawmakers are bought by special interest groups.
"What we're trying to accomplish is making ... a long-term structural change in what goes on in Jefferson City," said Tilley, who could become the next Speaker of the House if Republicans retain control of the chamber in 2010.
One of Tilley's main proposals would ban individual lawmakers from accepting any gifts and meals paid for by registered lobbyists. It would apply to meals provided to individual committees and the majority and minority caucuses in both chambers, Tilley said.
That proposal was met with immediate skepticism from members on both sides of the aisle who questioned the practicality of such a ban.
Lobbyists routinely buy catered meals for lawmakers who meet during the lunch hour in committees.
"We're going to lose a large part of our working day by not being able to work through lunch when we break from noon to 2," said Rep. Jim Viebrock, R-Republic.
Some committees also get fed breakfast by lobbyists and special interest groups during early committee meetings.
Viebrock said he attends dinners with lobbyists and other lawmakers outside of the Capitol to get educated on issues.
"I don't see anything wrong about going to a meal and getting some one-on-one attention to learn about an issue," Viebrock said.
Tilley said his proposed ban of lobbyist-funded meals would not apply to organizations that invite all members of the House or Senate to large events and dinners.
"I don't want to stop that because I don't want to discourage citizens of the state from coming up and advocating their positions," Tilley said.
Source:leader.com/
With some former colleagues recently pleading guilty to federal crimes, several state lawmakers are introducing legislation this month to reform the way they do business in Jefferson City.
On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steven Tilley unveiled a package of governmental reforms aimed at eliminating the perception that lawmakers are bought by special interest groups.
"What we're trying to accomplish is making ... a long-term structural change in what goes on in Jefferson City," said Tilley, who could become the next Speaker of the House if Republicans retain control of the chamber in 2010.
One of Tilley's main proposals would ban individual lawmakers from accepting any gifts and meals paid for by registered lobbyists. It would apply to meals provided to individual committees and the majority and minority caucuses in both chambers, Tilley said.
That proposal was met with immediate skepticism from members on both sides of the aisle who questioned the practicality of such a ban.
Lobbyists routinely buy catered meals for lawmakers who meet during the lunch hour in committees.
"We're going to lose a large part of our working day by not being able to work through lunch when we break from noon to 2," said Rep. Jim Viebrock, R-Republic.
Some committees also get fed breakfast by lobbyists and special interest groups during early committee meetings.
Viebrock said he attends dinners with lobbyists and other lawmakers outside of the Capitol to get educated on issues.
"I don't see anything wrong about going to a meal and getting some one-on-one attention to learn about an issue," Viebrock said.
Tilley said his proposed ban of lobbyist-funded meals would not apply to organizations that invite all members of the House or Senate to large events and dinners.
"I don't want to stop that because I don't want to discourage citizens of the state from coming up and advocating their positions," Tilley said.
Source:leader.com/
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