West Virginia Blue
The Best Blogging Community in West Virginia Democratic politics, progressive policies, the good life and free living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
According to the Charleston Gazette, federal investigations of Senator Manchin has expanded into campaign records of his 1996 failed bid to win the Democratic nomination for Governor against Charlotte Pritt.
The subpoena was issued by lawyers with the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section, which leads federal efforts to combat corruption among public officials. It sought Campaign Finance Reports filed by the 1996 gubernatorial campaign of Joseph Manchin III.
This past year has seen quite a bit of federal activity surrounding investigations of Manchin and his Administration. Federal investigators also have subpoenaed West Virginia's Division of Highways, Department of Administration and its Aviation Division.
Manchin's office indicated they had no knowledge of the recent turn in the investigations.
I think we can all agree that we should let this process play out but as the old saying goes, "Where there is smoke, there is fire." Let's hope that is not the case this time and if it is let's hope Manchin resigns and saves us all the pain of having to throw him out of office in 2012.
I think it is important to hold Congress accountable. I like the idea behind the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) Annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress Report. Congress does a poor job of policing itself for ethics violations and voters rarely punish incumbents for all but the most egregious of violations, so it is laudable for any organization to attempt what CREW does.
A government watchdog group has released its annual list of the most corrupt members of Congress and it includes eight democrats and seven republicans. Melanie Sloan is CREW's executive director. She says lawmakers are automatically put on the list if they're under federal investigation.
"Most of the investigations obviously have to do with money. That somebody accepted money in return for some kind of legislative assistance or misused their authority and their power to improve their financial status or that of their families."
CREW says the list is smaller than last year and most of those on it are under investigation, including Senator Roland Burris and Representative Jessie Jackson Jr.
And, this is where a good idea falls apart in implementation. A major flaw in CREW's list is the presumption that a legislator under investigation is necessarily corrupt.
President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton were not corrupt just because there was on politically motivated investigation opened into a land deal in Arkansas. Likewise, no Congressperson is corrupt just because a politicized Bush administration Dept. of Justice opened an investigation about them.
This brings me to this year's list.
The 15 most corrupt members of Congress
* Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
* Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL)
* Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
* Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA)
* Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)
* Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
* Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
* Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
* Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV)
* Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA)
* Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
* Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA)
* Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN)
* Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
* Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
It's quite likely that at least a few of these members are indeed corrupt. Odds are good that one or more will be charged with wrong-doing before their term of office ends. (The publicly available information about Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) are all cringe-inducing.) It's also quite likely that one or two will have open investigations closed for lack of evidence or lack of merit.
Rep. Mollohan
Several years ago the Bush administration Dept. of Justice announced an investigation into Sen. Alan Mollohan. During that election cycle, the RNC invested heavily in his district as a targeted pick-up opportunity. It was all for naught--the investigation has not resulted in any charges and Rep. Mollohan cruised to re-election.
I've read CREW's report on Rep. Mollohan each year they've included him on their list and I certainly don't like the sound of their allegations. But, I can never get a sense if there's any "there" there. And, as the years pass the only new damning information we learn is about how politicized the Bush Dept. of Justice was--nothing new has come out about Rep. Mollohan.
Representative Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV) is a fourteen-term member of Congress, representing West Virginia's 1st congressional district. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where he is chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; he is also a member of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
Rep. Mollohan's ethics issues stem primarily from misuse of his position on the Appropriations Committee, from which he has steered hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks to family, friends, former employees and corporations in exchange for contributions to his campaign and political action committees. In addition, Rep. Mollohan misreported his personal assets on his financial disclosure forms. He is currently the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The congressman was included in CREW's 2006, 2007, and 2008 reports on congressional corruption.
Earmarking of Funds for His Personal Benefit
Over the past ten plus years, Rep. Mollohan has earmarked $369 million in federal grants to his district for 254 separate programs. Between 1997 and 2006, $250 million of that total was directed to five nonprofit organizations that were created by Rep. Mollohan and staffed by his friends. During the same period, top-paid employees, board members and contractors of these organizations gave at least $397,122 to Rep. Mollohan's campaign and political action committees.
If Rep. Mollohan accepted campaign donations in direct exchange for earmarking federal funds to the nonprofits run by these donors he may have committed bribery and honest services fraud in violation House rules prohibiting dispensing special favors and engaging in conduct that does not reflect creditably on the House.
In June 2004, Rep. Mollohan, his wife, and two top aides took a five-day trip to Bilbao, Spain. The trip, arranged by the West Virginia High Technology Consortium and costing over $36,000 ($7,800 of which constituted the Mollohans' expenses), was paid for by a group of government contractors to whom Rep. Mollohan funneled more than $250 million in earmarked funds. By soliciting funding for his trip to Spain from TMC Technologies one month after TMC received a $5 million contract as a result of an earmark from him, Rep. Mollohan appears to be in violation of the illegal gratuity statute as well as House travel rules.
Rep. Mollohan continues to maintain a close relationship with several companies that either have office space in the complex run by a non-profit sponsored by the congressman or are clients of Robison International, a lobbying firm that has been a major campaign supporter.
Also, Rep. Mollohan's family foundation has received free rent and administrative services from a Mollohan backed non-profit while it accepted donations from companies supported by the congressman through earmarks.
Financial Disclosure Forms
Between 2000 and 2004, Rep. Mollohan went from owning assets of less than $500,000, generating less than $80,000 in income in 2000, to at least $6.3 million in assets earning $200,000 to $1.2 million in 2004. As of 2005, Rep. Mollohan's reported personal assets were worth at least $8 million and his liabilities were in excess of $3.43 million. In June 2006, Rep. Mollohan was forced to file two dozen corrections to his past six financial disclosure forms. If Rep. Mollohan knowingly filed inaccurate financial disclosure statements he broke the law prohibiting false statements.
(Their report continues with more details on the Dept. of Justice investigation.)
West Virginia voters deserve a prompt resolution to the investigation on Rep. Mollohan. If there was any wrong-doing, prompt action is warranted. If there was not, Rep. Mollohan deserves to have the cloud over his head lifted.
Money and Politics
As the CREW executive director noted, the tap root of ethics problems in Washington is money. One way to minimize the corrupting role of money in politics is public financing of elections. Another is to further lengthen the time limit between working in Congress and lobbying Congress. Recent reforms to make the earmark process more transparent are another helpful step.
CREW is working towards laudable objectives. I hope their efforts bring greater attention to those Congresspeople with the most egregious behavior and encourages the Obama Dept. of Justice to make well-informed decisions about case files opened by the politicized Bush administration.
I have been watching closely the response of the wingnuts to realization that we elected our first Black President.The karmic result of the last 30 years,of the devolution of participatory democracy and regulated capitalism,has so outraged the likes of Rush,Newt,Armey,Bonehead,and the "new voice of the Grand "ole" Party",Palin,that logic and judgement have completely abandoned them,and they have reverted to the philosophy of "the Big Lie"-in fact,the bigger the better.
As I was cogitating all the show-biz antics we have beheld over the past 200+ days,I found the following email in my inbox,which I publish,with my response,for your perusal:
My response
Dear Judy,and All,
I won't add too much more to this already long,rambling diatribe,except to say this:
The rank hypocrisy being exhibited hourly, for all the world to see,and read,has more to do with the election of a black man than it does to do with the fake issues-of-the-day being exploited by the front groups and lobbyists for the entrenched leeches who have controlled the democratic process since,at least,the "landslide"victory of the GOP's demi-god,Ronald "RAYGUN".
Now,with the "teabaggers",the "birthers",and the townhall disrupters,we are seeing the result of years of investment, by corporate America,in government by "Hacks,Flacks,and bogus grassroots risings,or Astro-turf Attacks".
Both sides have their hacks-politicians who have to accept HUGE sums of money from the corporations in order to run ever-escalating re-election campaigns.
The flacks are the omni-present talking heads and "experts" who control,and expound at great length on,our evermore consolidated media outlets.
The most onerous of my trio is the latest to invade and pervert our political discourse-the phony populism of the "grassroots movement"-as it has been co-opted by think-tanks, which tend to operate at the extremes of the political spectrum,because that's where the "controversial" and "confrontational" heat is most easily generated.They probably didn't invent the concept of the "straw man",but they have taken its use to new heights in the years since JFK accused the Republicans of allowing the US to become the weak side with the "missile gap"debate.
I'm sure you have all heard how ignorance and apathy are our Achilles heels.At their roots,all stereotypes have a kernel of truth.Pogo was right,also,"We have met the enemy,and he is us".We allow the banks,the corporations,and the health insurance lobbyists to control the debate only at our own peril.Just a thought.
Lonegunman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original message:
From: MYRLAN1@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:56:58 -0400
Subject: President Obama
To: jhaines.2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
RECEIVED THIS FROM A FRIEND OF MINE. HE IS WELL EDUCATED AND HAS SERVED OUR COUNTRY WELL AND PROUD. HE HAS ALL THE ACCRONYMS AND HAS SERVED IN THEM. HE HAS ALL THE CLEARANCES AND HAS SERVED ON ALL OF THE ALPHABET TEAMS.
Chuck,
Let me add to your observations, and please, feel free to pass this along to all the folks you know, and hopefully, THEY will pass it along to all the folks they know. So, here goes...
As for Barack Obama, I didn't vote for him. Honestly, I don't vote anymore. I stopped voting after the corruption of the 2000 election that put America's first dictator in office. That year, I sent a very heated letter to the Republican National Committee and resigned my membership in the Republican party. Only the ignorant person could debate me on this issue, because unlike MOST of you, I HAVE worked in politics for several years. Wrote speeches for one candidate, managed another candidate's campaign, worked with Pete Wilson's campaign for Governor of California, and few others. As a young boy, my father was also in politics, though a democrat, I met such people as JFK, Senator Joe Tydings, Strom Thurmond, Congressman Mathias, and a bunch you probably have never heard of or remember.
I tell you these things NOT to impress you, but to explain that what you SEE on television is NOT what is really going on. American politics, ever since I was a boy seeing it first hand, has slowly morphed into a cathouse of corporate whores. Most politicians pander for money, and for them to STAY in office, these politicians need BIG contributors with BIG money! And the BIG contributors are NOT your friends!
Personally, I am stunned that people are upset with the prospect of a government alternative to health insurance that would COMPETE with the existing health insurance companies! With all the nonsense floating around TV and the internet about ALL the things in this health care bill, the shocking truth is THERE IS NO BILL! All this fear mongering is simply to derail the process! That's right, folks! EVERYTHING you have heard about "the bill" is a lie. There is NO HEALTH CARE BILL... in fact, Senator Chuck Grassley, TODAY, proudly admitted that HE derailed ANY bill in committee BEFORE the Congress took their break!! So, if there is NO bill, where did all this hoopla and fear come from?? Brace yourselves kids.... THEY MADE IT UP!!!! That's right. All this fear was made up so insurance companies can financially rape you! Think not?? Well, just do a web search on the fraud case of United Health !! Yes, look at how many people they screwed and the fines that they HAD to pay!!! And THIS COMPANY is ONE of the BIG healthcare companies bankrolling most of the "protests" and "anger" you are seeing on television.
Besides being the willing prostitutes of the BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES, the radical right wing has been so blatantly exploited. This is a truly unbelievable drama to see unfold. I am absolutely shocked at the ignorance and stupidity of the people doing the dirty work for these insurance companies.
But, to put this in perspective, this SAME kind of "fake outrage" was how the Nazis came to power in Germany. It is this same manipulation that convinces people to do the unthinkable and kill another person... we call that mixture of fanatical profit making coupled with patriotism a war! Those of us who have had to do it, know the difference. But, there's BIG money in war! Old men get rich while young men die.... all for a god damn buck! In this last war, it amazed me how the "chickenhawks" were beating the drum for war. They didn't have the guts for it when it was their time. I guess when you get in the White House it is much easier to grow testicles with someone else's blood! But, don't take my word for it, General Smedley Butler wrote a book, "War is a Racket". Read and see who profitted from World War 1. It was the same with World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War I (which was a particularly interesting armed robbery), and then the absolute raping of the Iraqi Central Bank in Gulf War II. Just follow the money, but don't be so naive'!! It's all about the money!!!
The Spartans had a rule of law. As a Spartan politician, IF you voted for war, YOU got a brevet commission and marched off WITH the Army to war. Now THAT is democracy. Do you remotely THINK these candy-ass inbred Washington politicians would EVER have that kind of conviction? Not today!!
Over the last 30 years, I have watched, to my horror, as American politics has turned into a circus freak show. Unless YOU make a conscious and honest effort to LISTEN to BOTH sides of an issue, YOU will be easy prey for those that have an agenda. In the case of health care, unless you have ACTUALLY seen universal health working in OTHER countries (like France, UK, Canada) , you don't KNOW what you are talking about. Sometimes REALITY is far different than what WE THINK we know!!!
I have found it absolutely insane that people ALREADY on Medicare have been convinced to fight against a government alternative!! WHAT ON EARTH DO THEY THINK MEDICARE IS???
Do not get tricked into arguments of absolutes! It's a way to confuse you. In this world, there are NO absolutes!! There is NO absolute democracy!! If so, then WHO voted for the IRS?? There is NO absolute communism, otherwise, HOW DOES WAL-MART SELL YOU ALL THOSE CHINESE PRODUCTS!! And socialism? What stupid argument is that regarding health. You have NO problem using our national road system (paid a toll lately), that's socialism. Your water system, sewer system, police protection, fire protection... they are ALL socialism. By practice, socialism is a means to do collectively what we can NOT do individually! So, in the event of a catastrophic medical emergency, you either bank several million dollars for that dreaded event, or ALLOW for a medical safety net that EVERYONE can have and afford! Now, if that bothers you, then go find out how much that road you drive EVERY DAY to work costs, and PAY your government back for using it! Are you getting it? THAT's "socialism"! Socialism is NOT by definition a bad thing. There IS NO government on earth EVER, that has NOT had some level of socialism. IF you HAVE government, you WILL have some level of socialism! There's NO way around it!! Government IS socialism in practice!! That simple common sense explanation does NOT require a college degree in political science. (Fact is, there is NO science in politics!)
Before I close, let me add one more point. To serve as an elected representative of the people is a distinct honor and a sacred trust. The majority of our elected representatives have failed us miserably. This country is in serious need of an enema. The political circus freak show MUST stop. This nation does not have the luxury of indulging in such cynical extravagance as fear mongering and media manipulation. As Senator Moynihan said, "you are entitled to your own opinion, but NOT your own facts". The blatant lies that have spewed across the media and the internet undermine the democratic process. We stand at the threshold to a complete fascist state unless we change our ways immediately.
We MUST have debate based in fact. Shouting down opponents, fear mongering, lying; are all the ways of fascism! This country MUST bring back the "fairness doctrine" so BOTH sides can be heard!
This crazy shouting about health care has to be brought back to reality. In 2004 dollars, the government has spent over $335 MILLION PER DAY for your WAR in IRAQ!!! That is absolutely outrageous. Think about that for a moment. This nation has absolutely NO protest against spending $335 MILLION each and every day to KILL people, but go absolutely crazy when the idea of saving lives and affordable health are brought to the table. What IF that $335 MILLION per day WAS funneled to health care? How many people would be alive to do? How many people would have a better quality of life? It is a sick revelation to see America WILLING to spend BILLIONS to kill people, and not a dime to save them! Americans don't even blink at the hellish cynicism that comparison shows!
To the democrats elected BY THE PEOPLE who desperately wanted change, GROW A SPINE! The Republicans are the whores for BIG pharma, insurance companies, and weapons manufacturers. By their own actions, they have made their intentions clear! Do you actually belief they will change THEIR agenda???
Let me put it another way. To do the same things over and over; and yet, EXPECT a different outcome IS insanity! The people, the clear majority, WANT affordable health care, lower taxes, less government, and a sensible government that is not owned by corporate America. Ladies and Gentlemen, READ your Oath of Office! And GET ON WITH IT !!! Do YOUR DUTY!!! To SERVE the PEOPLE is an HONOR, NOT A CAREER !!!
To my follow Americans, STOP ranting about YOUR rights! You have NO rights except those that the government deems you will have! Get that straight! Every existing right you have at present, comes with a corresponding RESPONSIBILITY to use it!
The freedom of speech does not allow for lying, misinformation, or deceit. Lying is NOT a responsible exercise of this "right".
The right to bear arms requires the discipline and security of owning a firearm. Using a handgun to rob a 7-11 is not a responsible exercise of this "right".
On the other hand, the failure of upholding the rule of law, gave you a corrupt federal taxing authority that willfully violates unlawful seizure without due process everyday. That could be changed, but Americans are too lazy to do the right thing. Bottomline, we have a perfectly good Constitution that no one (when was the LAST time YOU read it) reads or obeys. So, for the last 100 years, the government has filled the void and stepped in... they are all too happy to explain what it means to you! Hey wake up! Our forefathers were NOT career politicians or lawyers, and our Constitution was written by them! Think about that for a while!
There are NO rights without responsibilities!! Stop being so lazy! If you want a democratic republic, YOU must get educated and informed! That is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! And that requires the discipline to listen AND learn from BOTH sides!! A one-sided conversation is not a conversation! That doesn't exist! Or, as my father always said "when everybody is thinking the same way, nobody is thinking".
If you REALLY believe in American values, then get educated. Seriously, the hard part is actually listening to people you disagree with. That action, by its nature, educates you. But, if you approach EVERY issue with your mind made up... well, then, don't even bother going through the motions... it will only frustrate you!
As I said at the beginning, I don't vote. Since 2000, I made the conscious decision that I will not validate this circus freak show. The American society has lost its way, and I have not only departed the political process, but the country as well. I am ashamed of the extreme divisions in this nation. This is NOT the America I grew up in! This is NOT the America that I swore an Oath to defend. This is NOT the America that I was once was willing to lay down my life for. That America is gone. To see this happen in my life time is an absolute shame.
No, I did not vote for Barack Obama. But, I have great hope in him. He is NOT part of the old regimes and power broker elites. And if he succeeds, maybe the America I remember will re-emerge, like a Phoenix. But, I have seen too much hate, fear, and lies in this country to allow myself much optimism. I give this message to my fellow Americans. The sick and profiteering regimes prior to Obama got us to this dismal point. If the people of this nation can not rally behind this President and see ALL Americans as Americans, then the future of this nation is bleak. And it will die, not from some outside force or enemy, but by our own hands. I am leaving this country because I can not bear to see it self-destruct. I now sadly admit that I believe the only time Americans will wake up is when they feel great pain. The painful days are coming.... and no, do not be so foolish as to believe Barack Obama brought them! These days were conceived and grown 25 years ago... and now, this nation shall reap what it sowed.
End of original message.
Of course,this is only a POSSIBLE FUTURE.It is still our option to go back to the future,re-think deregulation,restore the safeguards put in place after the Depression,like Glass-Steagall,and demand that our Representative actually represent US,We,the PEOPLE!!
Could this be the real reason Sen. Judd Gregg withdrew his nomination for Sec. of Commerce? It fits with him also saying he's not running for re-election.
A few weeks ago on a Friday, Todd Boulanger pleaded guilty for his role in the ongoing Abramoff corruption scandal. He was a key member of Team Abramoff and before that he worked for former NH Senator Bob Smith (one of Jack's go-to Senators). Boulanger's plea identified a Legislative Director for a US Senator as "Staffer F" and laid out the many favors Team Abramoff did for this staffer and some of the deeds done in return.
Over that weekend, a network of scandal researchers had concluded that "Staffer F" was Kevin Koonce and that the Senator was Judd Gregg. The rumor was that Gregg would soon be nominated to be President Obama's Commerce Secretary. It was too late for Gregg's link to scandal to filter up and stop it. The day after Gregg was nominated; the Koonce story broke in the AP, Washington Post, NYTs and elsewhere.
As dengre says, "Judd Gregg has a Jack Abramoff problem."
Thankfully, he did not make it into Pres. Obama's cabinet.
Now, can we just go ahead and nominate a Democrat for the post? Preferably one who won't be giving up an excellent 2010 electoral prospect?
Update from Carnacki: I'm inclined to agree with Andrew Sullivan
This issue was championed by Republicans for the usual "the-darkies-are-taking-over!" reasons. And Gregg's broad support for the kind of stimulus bill Obama has just got through the conference is a matter of public record. So the real reason for Gregg's departure is that he simply couldn't handle the backlash from his own party for providing bipartisan cover for Obamanomics. I guess they believe that assaulting the new president as he tries to reach out is their ticket for future relevance.
The reason I'm more inclined to think Gregg did it to bow out due to Republican partisan politics is his timing. If he wanted a low key withdrawal, he would have done it today - and not held a press conference at the same time as a major address by President Obama.
It's hard not to think that Gregg's withdrawal, with the grumbling about the census and the stimulus, was not timed to cause the most damage possible to the Obama administration. Releasing the statement just as Obama took the stage in Peoria was clearly designed to undermine the President's event. The fact he scheduled a presser only seems to confirm it. The classy exit would have been to wait til tomorrow afternoon to quietly bow out. Basically Gregg decided not just to politely decline, but rather to blow shit up and burn the bridge behind him. Do not think this portends good things for the wider political climate.
Gregg's repeated references to him being his "own man" made me think he was protesting too much.
Dick Cheney indicted for corruption in Texas! At least someone is indicting him for something.
I know I don't have to tell y'all, but Dick Cheney really represents everything, absolutely everything wrong with this country. Let's just hope Obama doesn't let him off the hook for "reconciliation".
I just searched our diaries back to Aug. 11 and didn't see any reference to this story in the NY Times on Aug. 12, and it appears the West Virginia press have only started to pick up on it.
Apparently our governor, Joe Manchin, filed a brief with the WV Supreme Court asking it to review a $382 million judgment against Dupont for dumping toxic chemicals at its zinc-smelting plant in Spelter, WV.
Here's the nut graf:
Documents from the governor's office, however, show that Mr. Manchin had consulted with the company before filing the brief, and DuPont officials say the governor even asked them to provide him with a draft brief.
Manchin has connections to Dupont through his staff (his exec assistant, Peggy Ong, previously worked for Dupont, including "community outreach" on this case!) and his former law firm (which Dupont hired to "consult" on the case).
Legal experts quoted in the Times story say it's unprecedented in the history of West Virginia for a governor - rather than, say, the attorney general - to file a friend of the court brief.
Manchin's argument? West Virginia law doesn't allow for "automatic appeal" of damages in high-dollar lawsuits, and the WV Supreme Court can decide behind closed doors whether to accept or reject an appeal. Manchin wants to know if that is legal according to rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Seems to me he'd have been much better off raising that issue (a) through the attorney general's office and (b) on a different case, where he hasn't already consulted with the company. As it is, this strikes very disturbing echoes of the Don Blankenship (CEO, Massey Energy) relationship with WV Supreme Court Justice Spike Maynard ...
I just got this today, hot off the presses, it seems that there are other folks in this country that are looking to WV to lead the way in ridding the nation of corrupt politicians and justices, great stuff!
SB 770 a bill to open up the mountain state to competition for out-of-state garbage will be open to public hearing on Monday March 3rd at 9:30am in the house chambers in Charleston, WV. The bill sailed through our state senate last week in record time having never been placed on the official agenda of any committee meeting in either Judiciary or Finance, the bill is on the fast track, greased and ready to roll. That is until the West Virginia Environmental Council, WV Citizen's Action and many other environmentalists requested for and was granted our right to public hearing. I have enclosed an action alert from the umbrella group in this message as follows:
ACTION ALERT! - SB 770
(This bill is the Solid Waste Assessment Fee Reduction / Out of state Garbage Incentive) - Relating to the McDowell County Landfill).
A PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled through House Finance committee for Monday (March 3).
This is a BAD BILL - We are asking our legislative representatives to vote against / oppose SB 770.
Date: Monday, March 3, 2008
Place: House Chambers
Time: 9:30 AM
Details: If you can attend, please come in to the capitol by 9:00 AM. This is particularly important if you wish to speak.
If you cannot attend, please take time to call, e-mail / write to House Finance Chair Harry Keith White - and any or all of the House Finance Committee members (contact information listed below).
We seem to have strong support against this bill in House Finance, however let those opposing the bill know you appreciate them opposing SB 770, and encourage members to stay firm. Any opposing SB 770 need to be encouraged to do the right thing - do not vote this bill out of committee.
Listed below is our most recent FACT SHEET with reasons this is a bad bill.
Fact Sheet for: Senate Bill 770 - Solid Waste Assessment Fee Reduction / Out of State Garbage Incentive - (as of Feb. 28, 2008)
By John Christensen, WVEC lobbyist
Don't Pass This Bad Bill!
Reduced tipping fees are an incentive to bring in more out of state garbage, and ultimately, make a mega-dump out of the McDowell County landfill.
Once the tonnage threshold is reached during a three consecutive month period, the reduction in tipping fees kicks in. It will primarily benefit one private landfill operator, waste haulers, some municipalities and the McDowell county budget.
The tipping fees will remain at the reduced rate even if state-wide garbage collection decreases sometime in the future.
The only incentive contained in this bill is to produce more garbage. The bill is a disincentive to West Virginia's recycling efforts.
Hangs an "open for garbage" sign at West Virginia's borders, inviting out-of-state waste from NY, NJ, and Philadelphia sources.
Will generate thousands of trainloads of plastic-cubed garbage that will traverse through small towns in the heat of the spring, summer and fall, a smelly proposition at best. Imagine coal-laden cars leaving West Virginia, only to return, filled with out of state trash.
This bill was put on a fast track - introduced on the last day for introduction of bills - just hours after a committee substitute was created to problem solve. No prior notice was given to the environmental community / environmental experts.
Several county solid waste authorities have gone on record opposing this legislation. It does nothing to reduce fees for commercial entities, schools, churches, industry, residents of townhouses, apartment buildings, government bodies, citizens and businesses served by municipalities or any state parks.
Senator Truman Chafin was quoted in the Bluefield newspaper as saying he WILL come back to the legislature and ask to lift the cap on the McDowell County landfill if this passes. This bill represents a "foot in the door" for special interests to come in and ask for more favors in the future.
The reduced revenues hurt county solid waste recycling programs statewide, LCAP programs that ensure proper closure and monitoring of old landfills, solid waste management board funding, and even money for DNR conservation officers.
This is the ultimate Anti "Bottle Bill". A bottle bill would reduce tonnage and save valuable landfill space for future use.
www.wvecouncil.org (304) 414-0143
Here is the list of House Finance Committee Members. Those with an * beside their name are those not as yet opposed to this bill. Please ask them to oppose SB 770 for all of the above reasons.
The other members can be thanked for opposing SB 770, or encouraged to do so. Note: you can call the capitol switchboard toll free at 1-877-565-3447, or use the direct number below if you prefer.
House Finance Committee Room Phone E-Mail
*Harry Keith White (D-Mingo), Chair: (462M) 340-3230 hkwhite@mail.wvnet.edu
*Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson), Minority Vice-Chair (150R) 340-3115
*Orphy Klempa (D-Ohio) (222E) 340-3378 ominar@verizon.net
*Steven Kominar (D-Mingo) (209E) 340-3117
*William Anderson (R-Wood), Minority Chair (151R) 340-3168
*Douglas Stalnaker (D-Lewis) (210E) 340-3396
*Sharon Spencer (D-Kanawha) (206E) 340-3218 delspencer@aol.com
*Ron Walters (R-Kanawha) (150R) 340-3104 ronwalte@mail.wvnet.edu
Craig Blair (R-Berkeley) (150R) 340-3122 craig@delegatecraigblair.com
Thomas Campbell (D-Greenbrier) (220E) 340-3129
Larry Border (R-Wood) (151R) 340-3136 bordel@mail.wvnet.edu
Larry Barker (D-Boone) (224E) 340-3125
John Doyle (D-Jefferson) (202E) 340-3184
Allen Evans (R-Grant) (231E) 340-3399
Kevin Craig (D-Cabell) (228E) 340-3350 kjcraigwv@aol.com
Charlene Marshall (D-Monongalia) (214E) 340-3186 chmarsh@mail.wvnet.edu
Mary Poling (D-Barbour) (434M) 340-3265
Don Perdue (D-Wayne) (200E) 340-3269 deperdue@mail.wvnet.edu
Kenneth Tucker (D-Marshall) (204E) 340-3123
Jack Yost (D-Brooke) (208E) 340-3392 jyost@mail.wvnet.edu
Brent Boggs (D-Braxton), Vice Chair (472M) 340-3280 boggs34@aol.com
Tim Manchin (D-Marion) (212E) 340-3166
Doug Reynolds (D-Wayne) (210E) 340-3199 delegatedoug@yahoo.com
Bob Ashley (R-Roane) (258M) 340-3185 bashley@mail.wvnet.edu
Guest editorial by Stephen Crockett, co-host of Democratic Talk Radio and union activist.
It has recently been reported that prominent Republicans in the Bush Administration are screening potential federal government employees concerning how they intend to vote in upcoming elections. This development calls for both Congressional investigation and an independent federal prosecutor. There is a federal law known as the Hatch Act which clearly makes such blatantly politicization of the federal government hiring program illegal. These activities may violate other federal laws, as well.
It is time for Republicans at all levels to distance themselves some the ethically challenged national leadership of the Republican Party and the Bush Administration. Not only have the Bush Republicans failed to follow the spirit of the law in many different ways, it now seems obvious that they are not complying with the letter of the law.
Copyright 2011 West Virginia Blue
Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
This site exists thanks to financial support from BlogPAC, dedicated volunteers and participation by members of this community. The views expressed at West Virginia Blue belong solely to their respective authors.
