Special Interests Reward Mike DeWine

Chamber Ad Distorts Truth; Hides DeWine’s Failed Energy Record

AMHERST – The Chamber of Commerce, the national representative for big industry such as prescription drug, oil, and gas companies, is at it again. Last week it was discovered that a Chamber ad thanking Mike DeWine for the Medicare Part D bill was funded, at least in part, by PhRma, the Washington D.C. lobby arm for the national prescription drug industry.

Mike DeWine received $380,000 in campaign donations from prescription drug companies.

Medicare Part D – strongly opposed by Ohio Congressman Sherrod Brown and seniors throughout Ohio – afforded the drug industry windfall profits while forcing many seniors to pay increased out-of-pocket costs and traverse a complicated labyrinth of private plans.

The latest Chamber ad, that began airing Wednesday morning, thanked Mike DeWine for gas prices and attempted to paint the Ohio incumbent Republican Senator a supporter of family-friendly energy policy.

DeWine has received more than $390,000 in campaign contribution from the oil and gas industry and actively supported the oil industry agenda in the U.S. Senate.

“Mike DeWine and his special interests friends in Washington will say anything, do anything to try and keep his job,” said Brown spokesperson Joanna Kuebler. “Senator DeWine has been a rubber stamp for the Bush administration policies backed by the Chamber its members. They don’t want to lose their cash cow.”

Gas prices soared to record highs this summer while last winter brought staggeringly high home heating bills. In 2005, DeWine voted for the Bush-backed energy bill supported by the oil and gas industry. The legislation – opposed by Brown – included $70 billion in subsidies for the oil industry.

“Mike DeWine is part of the pay-to-play system in Washington that has reaped billions in profits for special interests while betraying middle class families in Ohio,” said Kuebler. “A misleading ad backed by big business won’t distract Ohio families from demanding accountability for high gas and home heating prices.”

Brown, a leading advocate for alternative energy, has voted to increase funding for renewable fuels as well as well as introduced legislation to protect consumers from price gouging by the oil industry.

Editors  -- please see ad watch to follow.

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08/30/2006 / Permalink / Adwatch, Environment, gas, (all tags)

As Dewine Provides Giveaways To Oil Companies, Brown Announces Plan To Lower Energy Prices

"Ohio could be Silicon Valley of alternative energy"
 
AKRON - While Mike DeWine and the GOP Congress continue to pass legislation that increases the nation's addiction to oil, U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown (D-OH) met today with small business owners to discuss solutions to the nation's energy crisis.  In July 2005, Mike DeWine voted for a Republican energy bill that provided billions of dollars in giveaways to the oil and gas companies.  That month, the price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Ohio was $2.23.  Today, that price is more than $3.00.
 
"Mike DeWine voted for an energy bill that gave billions to oil companies while Ohio drivers were left to foot the bill," said Brown.  "Small businesses are feeling the burn of rising energy prices as a greater share of their budget is dedicated to fuel and heat.  This year, Mike DeWine again voted to reward his big oil buddies by supporting increased drilling instead of providing Ohio consumers and businesses with the relief they deserve."
 
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08/15/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, (all tags)

National Push for Lower Gas Prices and Energy Independence Kicks off in Cleveland

Ohio Drivers Paying Nearly $1 More a Gallon for Gas than Last Year

The Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland was brimming with activity Saturday afternoon, May 20, as dozens of Clevelanders turned out to to hear Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Sherrod discuss their plan to lower gas prices and move America toward energy independence by 2020.

Ohioans traveled to the event from as far away as Medina and Lake County to hear solutions for skyrocketing gas prices, which have jumped almost a dollar a gallon since one year ago.

Sherrod spoke first about his ideas to lower prices at the pump through a 60-day gas tax holiday, and the creation of a regional gasoline reserve system.

Sen. Reid used the event to kick off a nationwide push by Senate Democrats to make America energy independent by 2020. He also showed his strong support for Sherrod?s campaign by telling the crowd that his happiest day in Washington was the day Sherrod Brown announced his candidacy.

Sherrod and Senator Reid energized the large crowd gathered in front of a new giant wind turbine, which is capable of producing seven percent of the Science Center's electricity.

Also speaking at the news conference were two Northeast Ohio mothers struggling with the burden of soaring gas prices.

Reverend Lois Annich, a Presbyterian minister and counselor, spoke passionately about the social and economic injustice of working families being stuck with high gas prices while oil companies take in record profits. Patients in her counseling practice are feeling the stress as more of their family budget is consumed by fuel costs.

"This is a social injustice of the highest order," she said.

Jennifer Tucker, a working mother of two, explained that gas prices have hit the Tucker family particularly hard. Tucker must travel from Medina County to Cleveland five days a week -- more than 50 miles round trip -- to finish her graduate program in nursing, which she hopes will lead to a good-paying job. Her family now spends up to $500 a month on gas, which she can only pay by adding more debt to her student loans.

Click here to read more about the plan.

05/22/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, (all tags)

VIDEO: Sen. Harry Reid and Sherrod Call for Energy Independence

Sherrod and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid today showcased a sweeping new Democratic plan to lower gas prices and move America towards energy independence.

The event was previewd in Saturday's Washington Post:

The kickoff event will take place today in Ohio, when Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) appears with Rep. Sherrod Brown, the Democratic Senate candidate, in front of a giant wind turbine outside a Cleveland science center.

"Wherever you live, your gas prices are out of control, and you want to hold someone accountable for it," Reid said.

Brown is making an issue of the $330,000 in donations that Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) has received from oil and gas companies over the course of his career.

Click here to read the full article.

05/20/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, Video, (all tags)

Brown, Reid Offer Plan for Lower Prices at the Pump; Energy Independence

Columbus Drivers Paying Nearly Dollar More Per Gallon of Gas Than Year Ago

CLEVELAND--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) today showcased a sweeping new Democratic plan to lower gas prices and move America towards energy independence.

Joined by several dozen area parents and local workers, Brown and Reid unveiled the program in front of the new wind turbine at Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center. The wind turbine, installed this month, is expected to provide seven percent of the Science Center's electricity.

"As gas prices skyrocket, Ohioans are making painful sacrifices just to afford the drive to work, or to take their kids to school," Brown said. "It is time for Congress to stand up to oil companies and on the side of middle class families."

Last month, gas prices shot past $3 per gallon and ExxonMobil reported quarterly profits of $8.4 billion. Some analysts now predict $5-per-gallon gas by mid-summer.

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05/20/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, (all tags)

Sen. Reid Joins Sherrod in Cleveland to Call for Energy Independence for Ohio

Join Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Sherrod at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland to talk about revamping U.S. energy policy to help lower gas prices by investing in alternative energy and renewable fuel.

Click here to get event information.

05/18/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, (all tags)

Brown Urges Immediate Federal Action On Skyrocketing Gas Prices

AMHERST--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today called for immediate action by the federal government to curtail rapidly rising gas costs.

"For most Ohioans, wages are stagnant, while gas prices continue to skyrocket," Brown said. "At the same time, oil companies are reporting record profits. It's time to stand up for Ohio families and bring these prices down."

Gas prices have increased sharply in recent weeks, topping $2.75 per gallon in many Ohio communities. Analysts have predicted that prices could hit $3 per gallon this summer.

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04/20/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, (all tags)

Brown Calls President’s ‘07 Budget Immoral

AVON, OH--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today called the president's proposed FY 2007 budget a set of failed priorities for Ohio families.

The budget, presented to Congress today, calls for drastic funding cuts in health care, energy, veterans, education, and job creation programs. At the same time, the president is demanding that Congress make permanent his tax cuts.

"Budgets are moral documents," Brown said. "The president wants to cut programs vital to millions of Ohioans to pay for billionaire tax cuts. Clearly Republican leadership does not share the same values as Ohio families."

Today the president proposed to:

*  Cut $36 billion from Medicare over the next five years, and $105 billion over ten

*  Cut or flat fund energy programs specifically designed to help Ohio industries improve energy efficiency and cut costs

*  Underfund No Child Left Behind by $15.4 billion

*  Cut health care for Ohio's veterans

*  Cut $198 million from children's hospitals

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02/06/2006 / Permalink / Bush, Education, Environment, Health Care, Veterans, (all tags)