Utilities give a $20k thank you to House GOP caucus
Over at Gold Dome Live, my AJC colleague James Salzer is reporting that the bill for last month’s gathering of the House Republican Caucus on the coast was picked up by two large utilities:
Lobbyists for Georgia Power and AGL Resources chipped in a combined $20,000 for the July meeting of House Republicans, according to reports filed with the State Ethics Commission. The money went for meals, beverages and meeting facilities.
Georgia Power had a lot to thank legislators for this year, since the House and Senate approved legislation allowing the company to begin charging customers for new nuclear reactors before they come online.
In all, lobbyists reported spending $26,000 on the House Republican Caucus meeting. Among the other big spenders for the meeting were Kevin Perry, lobbyist for the Georgia Beverage Association ($2,209) and Haydon Stanley, lobbyist for, among others, AT&T, Georgia Beer Wholesalers, and Georgia Natural Gas ($2,000).
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12 comments Add your comment
GA Consumer
August 11th, 2009
11:25 am
I remember a joke that Ronald Reagan once said, “Politics is the worlds second oldest profession, but it has many similarities to the first.”
I never knew our legislature would come so cheap on legislation to screw over consumers.
Elder Statesmen
August 11th, 2009
11:31 am
If that is the only way they could get the plant done, I do not mind. I do, however, think that since the Lanier/water stuff came out, we probably don’t need a new plant since we are going down the tubes. Anyone know a region with a lot of water? I can only think of the Midwest for having a lot of water. I hear Chicago isn’t so bad
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 11th, 2009
12:42 pm
The gift or receipt of any monetary or in-kind contribution/bribe to any public official, elected or candidate for office, must be deemed a felony. Politics, the determination of what is best for the sovereign People by those made elect to holy office of our civil religion, must be delinked from money for as it is we have “the best government money can buy” and a de facto false aristoi has wrenched the reins of government from us and, other than Obama I hope, placed them in the hands of pervert draft-dodgers and deviant lackeys in service only to Mammon and the Roman Anti-Christ.
Public Corporations, by definition, and more specifically Public Utilities, are created to serve the American People, alone. Serve, not oppress.
Grumpy
August 11th, 2009
1:08 pm
If the elected officials who benefitted from the $20K+ generosity only knew how much contempt these same lobbyists have for them, they might not feel too comfortable around them. The fact is when the Democrats were in power, they benefitted from that same “generosity.” The money wasn’t donated by the companies/lobbyists because they really and personally like members of the House GOP Caucus. It was donated because they need the caucus to handle their legislation. When the GOP is no longer in control of governmnet in Georgia, the Democrats will once again be the object of all that affection. Plain and simple.
Matilda
August 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
Sometimes I write to my representatives to remind them that the paycheck they receive for this “work” is for representing ME and the people of this district/state/nation. I always clarify that they are not officially employed by the GOP, DNC, lobbyists, or special interests, but rather, by their constituents for the purpose of representing OUR best interests.
These letters are, to the best of my knowledge, completely and thoroughly ignored, since no checks are enclosed.
R[love]ution
August 11th, 2009
2:38 pm
^^Sad truth, Matilda. There is but one politician in DC I trust, Dr. Ron Paul. Hopefully there will be a second soon in his 3rd son, Dr. Rand Paul. He is running for Senate in the great state of Kentucky and I suggest you check him out. Even if you don’t agree with his stances, he believes you have the right to do as you see fit. He is for letting states decide every issue so long as it doesn’t interfere with interstate commerce (You know, as the constitution says!) so that you have more control and more say over your own life and your own government.
Matilda
August 11th, 2009
3:20 pm
R[love]lution, I appreciate what you’re saying. “Even if you don’t agree with his stances, he believes you have the right to do as you see fit.” Ron Paul almost had me.
Trouble is, he doesn’t believe that WOMEN have the right to do as we see fit with our own bodies and our own health care decisions. Had he not advocated a double standard for the women of this country, he may well have had the support he needed to win! SO CLOSE, and yet so far…..
ZackPchuck
August 11th, 2009
5:36 pm
While I despise Will Jones and his comments, he is partially correct. This should be deemed a felony and all who accept lobbyist money should be arrested and jailed until trial. Why these politicians continue to accept dirty money is beyond me. If any politician is paid more than minimum wage, they are overpaid.
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 11th, 2009
8:05 pm
R[love]ution If you think Ron Paul has integrity I’m afraid you must go see Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest “abomination”: “Bruno.” Ron Paul, like Paula Abdul showed out for what he really is: a wh@re for money. Watch it. It is not a contestable point. Ron Paul is scum and no man.
dmac
August 12th, 2009
9:52 am
This is corruption. Who is supposed to oversee our state legislature? Where do we file a complaint?
Should we complain to the State Ethics Commission?
The House Ethics Committee never has any complaints to investigate. So according to it’s chairman, Joe Wilkinson, the environment under the gold dome is pristine.
Jerry Douglas
August 12th, 2009
12:02 pm
Ho, hum, just another day in our political system. Of course our “elected” politicians are bought and paid for. The large poultry producers have reduced our farmers to the status of serfs. Ga. Power is charging us for a plant they don’t even have on the drawing board. The timber companies (among others) get huge tax breaks. The Reyonalds family gets tort immunity for their “gentleman’s hunting club”. That’s the American way.
Base
August 12th, 2009
4:18 pm
Crooks that take money and favors over consumers need to be voted out.We get to pay our fees for years all for 20 grand.