As if having a Republican governor copping out to the natural gas industry was bad enough, having a Democratic governor who would put the needs of the Natural Gas Industry over the people of the Commonwealth would be worse. The second Democrat to throw his hat in the Governor’s race is State Senator Tim Solobay. According to Philly Mag, Mr. Solobay has the geographic advantage being in the Shale Country:
“Solobay could have a built-in fundraising base (in a primary, if not a general). He is extremely well regarded by the natural gas drilling companies whose executives have contributed substantially to Pa. campaigns in recent years. He has voted in line with Republicans on most Marcellus issues.”
But Mr. Solobay – who is against taxing and regulating the industry – has some baggage to explain. When the Steelers played the Packers in the Superbowl a couple of years ago, Mr. Solobay was one of a few who received a special trip to the Superbowl paid by Consol Energy. On March 29, 2012, the Post-Gazette posted “Consol Paid for Super Bowl Trip for Sen. Solobay,” and parts of the story read:
“State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, confirmed today that Consol provided him a hotel room and travel in a company plane to the Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas, where the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers on Feb. 6.”
“”The notion that this trip could influence my vote in the Senate is absurd,” he said in his written statement. “I talked. I listened. In the end, I will always do what is best for my constituents.””
Mr. Solobay says he does what’s best for his constituents (the gas industry of course), which means opposing taxing the industry and getting rid of “bureaucratic red tape.” As long as we’re around Mr. Solobay, we will make sure Democrats like you won’t get elected a higher office.
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Sean Kitchen is an Assistant Editor and Social Media Organizer for Raging Chicken Press. He is student at Kutztown University and intern with APSCUF
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