NV DEMS RESPOND TO GOP’S PARTISAN, HYPOCRITICAL STUNT WITH NEW AD EXPOSING HELLER PAY-TO-PLAY SCHEME
Unelected Senator voted to protect Big Oil taxpayer giveaways days after BP lobbyists held DC fundraiser for him
WATCH NEW AD: Pay to Play Dean Heller Cheating on Nevadans
Las Vegas, NV – Today, the Nevada State Democratic Party released a NEW AD calling foul on the Nevada Republican Party's hyper-partisan and highly hypocritical complaint that they filed against Nevada senate candidate Shelley Berkley.
Their move today reeks of politics and rings particularly hollow given that their chosen candidate -- Dean Heller -- has a proven track record of siding with special interests directly after taking their money.
In fact, last June, Heller held a Washington fundraiser with BP lobbyists – yes that BP – on his SECOND day as an unelected Senator...and (coincidentally we’re sure) one week before voting to protect taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil companies in his first major vote as Nevada's unelected Senator.
For those keeping count, that would be his 8th vote siding with Big Oil CEOs over Nevadans and a clear indication that the oil companies feel they got what they paid for.
"Given Dean Heller's track record of siding with Big Oil days after taking their money, the Nevada Republicans' stunt should be seen for what it is: blatantly political and shockingly hypocritical," said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. "The facts are clear: Big Oil's CEOs are getting what they paid for in Dean Heller’s pay-to-play scheme to protect taxpayer giveaways to oil companies. However, considering who he replaced in the Senate, it seems only fitting that Dean Heller would continue his predecessor’s record of cheating on Nevadans."
View ad here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTf3Aqtx-Og
Background on Heller’s cheating on Nevadans with Big Oil:
BP LOBBYING FIRM HELD FUNDRAISER FOR HELLER
June 2010: BP Lobbying Firm Hosted Fundraiser For Heller. On June 28, 2010 The Alpine Group lobbying firm hosted an event for Dean Heller that had a suggest contribution of $1,000. BP was listed as a client of the Alpine group in 2010. The oil company paid the firm $360,000 to lobby on their behalf. [Sunlight Foundation, Party Time, accessed 8/26/2011; Center for Responsive Politics, accessed9/1/2011]
HELLER RETURNED THE FAVOR
July 2010: Heller Voted To Protect Oil Industry From Oversight After Deadly BP Explosion And Oil Spill. In 2010, Heller voted against a bill that would lift the $75 million cap on liability for offshore oil spills and revamp federal oversight of the industry by eliminating the Minerals Management Service. The responsibilities of the MMS would be split among three new agencies in the Interior Department. The measure was supported as a means to prevent another potential catastrophe like the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, which killed 11 workers and spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure would reduce the deficit by $1.7 billion through fiscal 2020. It imposed stiffer penalties for oil rig safety violations, required independent certifications of key drilling equipment and banned the practice of granting environmental waivers for drilling plans. The measure passed, 209-193. [CQ Today, 7/30/10; CNN, 7/30/10; HR 3534, Vote #513, 7/30/10]
HELLER HAS PROTECTED THEIR MONEY
Heller Opposed Tax Increases On Oil Companies. In June 2008, Heller wrote a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi stating “Tax increases that affect oil companies also hurt retirees, seniors and pension funds. In 2004, more than 2,600 pension funds run by federal, state and local governments held almost $64 billion in shares of U.S. oil and natural gas companies. …Consequently, I have voted against billions in tax increases on energy companies in the House, which would only be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices. Despite multiple bills with billions in tax increases being put forth in the House, not one of them has passed the Senate. Clearly this approach is also not consensus.” [Heller letter, 6/4/2008]
Heller Voted At Least EIGHT Times to Protect Tax Credits for Big Oil Companies. [ Vote 72, 5/17/11; Vote #153, 3/01/11; Las Vegas Review-Journal, 9/28/2008; Vote 78, 2/27/08; Vote 80, 2/27/08; Vote 1140, 12/06/07; Vote 835, 8/4/07; Vote 40, 1/18/07]
Las Vegas Sun: Heller Didn’t “Have The Nerve To Stand Up To The Oil Companies.” In May 2011, the Las Vegas Sun ran an editorial on the failure of an effort by Senate Democrats to repeal tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies. “That move would have reduced the nation’s budget deficit by $20 billion. But the measure fell eight votes short of the 60 needed for passage. That’s because most Senate Republicans, including Dean Heller of Nevada, don’t have the nerve to stand up to the oil companies.” [Editorial, Las Vegas Sun, 5/19/11]
Las Vegas Sun: Oil Companies “Know How To Manipulate Politicians Such As Heller To Vote Their Way.” In May 2011, theLas Vegas Sun ran an editorial on the failure of an effort by Senate Democrats to repeal tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies. “Heller said last week that he doesn’t support ‘raising taxes on the oil industry, because I don’t think that will lower the price of gasoline at the pumps.’ Heller misses the point. Of course, there is no guarantee that repealing the tax breaks would lower gas prices. But that’s only because the oil companies know how to game the system, which explains their record profits. They know how to manipulate politicians such as Heller to vote their way. The point is that their tax breaks are unjustified.” [Editorial, Las Vegas Sun, 5/19/11]
Las Vegas Sun: “If Heller And His Republican Colleagues Truly Wanted To Do What’s Right For This Country, They Would Support Policies That Help Average Working-Class Americans… Rather Than Do The Bidding Of Oil Companies.” In May 2011, the Las Vegas Sun ran an editorial on the failure of an effort by Senate Democrats to repeal tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies. “If Heller and his Republican colleagues truly wanted to do what’s right for this country, they would support policies that help average working-class Americans and retirees live better lives rather than do the bidding of oil companies that can function quite well without tax breaks.” [Editorial, Las Vegas Sun, 5/19/11]
…AND THEIR INTERESTS
Heller Voted Against Revoking Land From Oil Companies That Isn’t Being Used. In July 2008, the Las Vegas Review-Journalreported “The House voted 244-173 to pass a ‘use it or lose it’ bill that would strip oil companies of leases they own on federal land where oil drilling is allowed but is not being done. A simple majority was not sufficient to pass the Democratic plan, however. Since Democratic leaders brought the bill to the floor under an expedited procedure to block Republicans from offering their own proposal for offshore drilling, House rules required a two-thirds majority for passage. Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.; and Jon Porter, R-Nev., voted for the ‘use it or lose it’ plan. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 7/20/2008]
Heller Voted Against Going After Energy Market Speculation Because It Did Not Include Offshore Drilling Amendment. In August 2008, Las Vegas Review-Journal reported “In the House, a bill to regulate energy market speculation also fell short. The vote was 276-151, nine votes short of the two-thirds necessary to approve the bill. Democrats brought it up under special rules to prevent Republicans from attaching an offshore drilling amendment. The bill would have added staff to and expanded authority of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. The agency regulates oil markets. Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Jon Porter, R-Nev., voted for the bill. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/3/2008]