Opinion: Todd Akin Goes to the Mat AGAIN to Protect Billions for Big Oil

by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Todd Akin voted today to preserve special multi-billion dollar tax giveaways for his Big Oil cronies while Missouri families are paying sky-high prices at the pump. For the sixth time in five years, today Todd Akin voted to preserve these multi-billion dollar tax giveaways for Big Oil companies that are already making multi-billion dollar profits.

“Todd Akin is laying cozily in the pocket of Big Oil and protecting special multi-billion dollar tax giveaways to oil companies while Missouri families and businesses are paying sky-high gas prices.” said Matt Canter, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman. “While Big Oil companies reap nearly historic billion dollar profits, Missouri families are being squeezed by soaring gas prices. Perhaps Akin’s love for Big Oil’s campaign contributions has clouded his judgment. Missouri families need a senator who will stand up for them, not a politician who takes $48,000 from the oil industry and then votes for special tax giveaways to their Big Oil cronies.”

Akin has long pushed measures to pad Big Oil company profits instead of fighting to reduce the strain of rising gas prices on the pocket books of middle-class Missouri families. Time and again, Todd Akin stood hand-in-hand with Big Oil lobbyists by voting against measures that would have repealed special tax breaks and exemptions for Big Oil companies and instead fund efforts to invest in renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. To date, Akin has received nearly $48,000 in campaign contributions from the Big Oil industry.

Background:

Today, Akin voted to block a vote on a motion to repeal the Section 199 domestic manufacturing tax credit for the five largest oil companies. [Vote 293, 5/05/11]

Todd Akin Has Accepted $47,750 From The Oil And Gas Industry. Since beginning his congressional career, Akin has accepted $47,750 from the oil and gas industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 4/26/11]

Akin has repeatedly voted to protect tax breaks for big oil companies:

· In March 2011, Akin voted against a measure that would have repealed oil and gas production tax breaks for major integrated oil companies for the proposed two week period in the House budget continuing resolution. Rep. William Keating, who offered the motion to recommit, said, “Our alternative is an alternative of sensible spending cuts. Let’s stop sending taxpayer money to the most profitable companies in the world.” The motion failed, 176-249. [CQ Today, 3/01/11; HJR 44, Vote #153, 3/01/11]

· In 2008, Akin voted against considering the rule to allow the House to vote on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 224-186. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 78, 2/27/08]

· In 2008, Akin voted against a motion to end debate on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 214-189. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 80, 2/27/08]

Akin Opposed Repealing Tax Breaks for Big Oil. In 2007, Akin voted against shifting certain revenue from royalties and tax incentives from oil and gas companies into a reserve fund for alternative and renewable energies. The bill would require current offshore fuel producers who are not paying federal royalties to agree to pay royalties when fuel prices reach certain thresholds or pay fees based on how much fuel they produce. The bill passed 264-163. [New York Times, 1/19/07; Speaker Pelosi Press Release, 1/18/07; CQ Floor Votes, 1/18/07; HR 6, Vote 40, 1/18/07]

Akin Opposed Removing Tax Breaks for Big Oil Companies from Tax Bill. In 2006, Akin voted against a motion to instruct conferees negotiating H.R. 4297, the Tax Reconciliation Bill. The motion would instruct House conferees to 1) accept three bipartisan provisions from the Senate that would remove subsidies and close loopholes for large integrated oil companies, so that big oil companies would pay their fair share of taxes, and 2) strike the extension of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts. The total for these two proposals was $51 billion. In 2005, the top five oil companies reaped more than $100 million, three times their profits in 2002. The motion failed 190-232. [McDermott Talking Points, “Republicans Fight for Big Oil Subsidies and Loopholes”; HR4297, Vote 109, 4/27/06]

Opinion: The “Sarah Stretch” Day Five

by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Day five of the “Sarah Stretch” and Sarah Steelman still refuses to provide any explanation for what happened to all her emails, schedules, and other public records from her time in the state treasurer’s office. Today new revelations show that this is not the first time Steelman, the choice of the D.C. establishment, tried to hide public records.

Back in 2008, Steelman’s office refused to provide public records required under Missouri’s Sunshine Law that showed her employees were working on her campaign on their own time. Steelman eventually produced documents that suggested her employees were taking vacation time to work on her campaign, but news reports suggested that the documents were either created after the fact to cover up for her employees, or were purposefully withheld under the initial Sunshine Law request. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3/29/08]

“Sarah Steelman is doing her best impression of Rose Mary Woods. Years of emails and schedules are missing and Sarah Steelman refuses to explain what happened. At least Rose Mary Woods admitted what she did,” said Matt Canter, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman. “Steelman hails herself as a champion of the Sunshine Law, but acts as though it does not apply to her. It is entirely possible that the missing emails include more evidence that Steelman was using her state offices for political purposes. Missourians deserve an explanation – what happened to these public records?”

Steelman’s Missing Public Records Include Emails During This Time Period:

In 2008, news reports indicated that Steelman’s employees were working for her campaign on taxpayer time. At the time, the Post-Dispatch reported that “Deputy Treasurer Doug Gaston was working full time for Steelman's campaign. Steelman said her deputy was taking vacation time to do the campaign work. Although the newspaper found pay stub records showing Gaston had taken only three hours of vacation time during the six weeks of campaign work, he produced time sheets that show the additional vacation time.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/29/08]

Reports suggest Steelman withheld time sheets that should have been disclosed under Sunshine Law requests. The Post-Dispatch raised questions about a Steelman Deputy, Doug Gaston. Steelman claimed Gaston was getting paid automatically, without submitting time sheets, yet three hours of vacation time showed up during a February 2008 pay period on his pay stubs which were obtained under public records requests. This revelation suggests that a time sheet should’ve been produced to reflect the leave time, yet one was never provided under a Sunshine Law request. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/29/08]

Steelman finally produced the timesheets months later, but the state Auditor noted that two different sets existed - one with the vacation time that Steelman's office was showing news outlets and another set that didn't include vacation time.The State Auditor at the time said two sets of time sheets existed, those that her employee showed news outlets and “an earlier set without the vacation time.” The documents were produced months after the vacation dates in question. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/29/08]

Opinion -- Missouri Records-Gate Continues: What’s In Steelman’s Missing Documents?

By the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

After four days, Sarah Steelman, the former Missouri State Treasurer and top recruit of the Republican establishment, is still refusing to respond to reports that “most of the key documents” from her tenure as Missouri state treasurer are missing from state archives. Now, new revelations suggest what she might be hiding: according to media reports at the time, Steelman aides used taxpayer-funded state resources to discuss political activities.

Steelman’s staff in the Treasurer’s office discussed working for her campaign consultant while using state email accounts. In February 2008, Steelman staff members Doug Gaston and Jane Dudeck-Gilstrap held a conversation over state email about Dudeck-Gilstrap going to work part time for Steelman’s gubernatorial campaign consultant. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/29/08]

“Sarah Steelman is still refusing to explain what happened to the emails and schedules from her time as State Treasurer. But news reports at the time detailed how her staff was using taxpayer-funded resources for political purposes. Is this why she is hiding the public records? Whatever the explanation, Steelman needs to come clean immediately,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “These revelations and her unwillingness to address them raise serious questions about Steelman’s fitness for public office and until she finally comes clean, she shouldn’t expect voters to take her seriously.”

Last week it was reported that “key documents” from Sarah Steelman’s tenure as state treasurer have gone missing, even though they are protected from destruction under Missouri state law. Since then, Steelman has refused to answer questions about the whereabouts of the documents.

Shockingly, Steelman herself actually sought to increase penalties for public officials who “purposefully” destroy records protected under Missouri’s Sunshine Law; if Steelman “purposefully” destroyed these records, she could face $5,000 in fines.

MORE BACKGROUND:

Documents from Steelman’s tenure as State Treasurer have gone missing. Last week it was reported that documents that are “routinely retained” under law have gone missing. [Politico, 3/31/11]

Steelman led the charge to increase penalties for public officials who “purposefully” destroyed records protected under Missouri’s Sunshine Law. If Steelman “purposefully” destroyed these records, she could face $5,000 in fines. When discussing the importance of retaining public records, Steelman said “It is the bedrock of democracy to make sure that we have an informed public, and to do that, you have to be able to access your government," Steelman said. . . . The old law allowed a judge to impose a fine of up to $500 for a ‘purposeful’ violation. The new law boosts the possible fine to $5,000. It also creates the category of ‘knowing’ violation, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.” [Associated Press, 6/8/04; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/17/02]

Sarah Steelman Missouri Records-Gate, Day 2

by the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee

Sarah Steelman, the top recruit from D.C. Republicans, is refusing to respond to reports that “most of the key documents” from Steelman’s tenure as Missouri state treasurer are missing from state archives. Now,new evidence has emerged that Steelman actually sought to increase penalties for public officials who “purposefully” destroy records protected under Missouri’s Sunshine Law. If Steelman “purposefully” destroyed these records, she could face $5,000 in fines.

“Sarah, humor us. If there is a simple explanation for what has happened to these records, then we are all ears. But the public deserves an explanation. Time and time again, you have hailed yourself as a champion of sunlight and bragged to the press about the procedures in your office that were supposed to protect these public records,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “Either explain what has happened to the documents or pay the penalty that you yourself proposed.”

In the Missouri State Senate, Steelman sponsored measures aimed to increase penalties for public officials who fail to retain public records. She sponsored the bill that sought to increase the penalty for closing these records from $500 to $5,000. When Steelman ran for state treasurer in 2004, she touted her work to punish those who violated the Sunshine Law and even bloviated about why it was important for the State treasurer to be more transparent:

The Missouri State Treasurer is entrusted with a substantial sum of money. This money, of course, belongs to the taxpayers who, in turn, have a right to know how, when, with whom and why and where this money is being invested. In my time in the Missouri Senate, I have worked for greater governmental accountability and increased penalties to those who violate the sunshine law. I will carry this fight to the Treasurer's Office [Kansas City Star, 7/10/04]

Yesterday, new evidence emerged that “most of the key documents” from Sarah Steelman’s tenure as state treasurer are missing, even though they are considered public record and are legally protected from destruction under Missouri state law.

Steelman: “I Have Worked For . . . Increased Penalties To Those Who Violate The Sunshine Law. I Will Carry This Fight To The Treasurer's Office.” In a 2004 candidate questionnaire for the Kansas City Star, Steelman said, “Make the Missouri State Treasurer Accountable to Missourians- The Missouri State Treasurer is entrusted with a substantial sum of money. This money, of course, belongs to the taxpayers who, in turn, have a right to know how, when, with whom and why and where this money is being invested. In my time in the Missouri Senate, I have worked for greater governmental accountability and increased penalties to those who violate the sunshine law. I will carry this fight to the Treasurer's Office.” [Kansas City Star, 7/10/04]

Steelman Sponsored Revised Sunshine Law After Working On Updates For Five Years – Updated Law Increased Fines From $500 To $5,000. Reported the Associated Press, “The bill's Senate sponsor, Republican Sarah Steelman, of Rolla, said she has been working on revising the Sunshine Law for five years and believes the new version's compromises are useful. "It is the bedrock of democracy to make sure that we have an informed public, and to do that, you have to be able to access your government," Steelman said. . . . The old law allowed a judge to impose a fine of up to $500 for a ‘purposeful’ violation. The new law boosts the possible fine to $5,000. It also creates the category of ‘knowing’ violation, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.” [Associated Press, 6/8/04]

Steelman, McCaskill Supported Increased Fines For Open Records Violations – Steelman: Higher Fine Necessary To Ensure Compliance. Reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “The bills would increase the level of fine that could be imposed to $2,500 from $500. Proponents, including Auditor Claire McCaskill and the sponsor of one of the bills, Sen. Sarah Steelman, R-Rolla, said the greater fine was necessary to ensure compliance. Steelman's bill would also make any illegal closing of a record or meeting a violation. Currently a higher standard must be proven -- that an agency purposely violated the law. The measure would also extend the law to the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri and the commissioners of the Bi-State Development Agency.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/17/02]

Hey Sarah STEALman: State Documents Are Missing & You Were The Last One To See Them

by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Politico Reports: Legally Protected Documents Are Missing From Steelman’s Time As State Treasure

Steelman - A Top Recruit for National Republicans – Hails Herself As A Champion for Sunlight

A new report today shows that “most of the key documents” from Sarah Steelman’s tenure as state treasurer are missing, Politico is reporting. If destroyed, this would constitute a violation of Missouri state law. Steelman, the top recruit of the national Republican establishment, hails herself as a champion of transparency in government and even bragged about the system her office had in place to preserve these now missing documents.

“Where are the documents? Either Sarah Steelman or the national Republican establishment that is propping up her candidacy need to answer that question,” said Matt Canter, spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “It’s hypocrisy of the highest degree. Steelman flatters herself as a champion for open records laws and even bragged to the press about the procedures she established to maintain records for the public. Now, we discover that most of these key records are gone.”

Today, Politico published an explosive report showing that “most of the key documents” from Sarah Steelman’s tenure as state treasurer are missing, even though they are considered open to the public and are legally protected from destruction under Missouri state law:

The current state treasurer's office tells POLITICO it hasn't been able to track down schedules, e-mails and other documents from Steelman's tenure that are routinely retained.

“We have received Sunshine Requests similar to this question. What we have found is that we do not know how they kept those records because we do not have them. Our team has searched the office for any schedules and public documents and we do not have them,” said Jon Galloway, the treasurer's office director of communications and policy.

…

According to state law, documents that were created or received in the office of an elected official, including calendar books, logs, diaries, recordings of meetings and trips are to be transferred to the state archive.

The report shows that Steelman and her office were well aware of Missouri’s strict sunshine laws protecting these documents. In fact, during her tenure, her office even bragged about its “special information technology” that was supposed to ensure that these records were retained.

In a February 2004 op-ed for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Steelman wrote, “Politicians often talk about government accountability. But only well-informed citizens can truly hold government accountable. At the bedrock of our democratic form of government lies openness, and every elected official at every level of government should strive to ensure that our laws, our records and our meetings are open to the public's scrutiny.” [Steelman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/12/04]

Steelman’s Office Claimed To Have Email Retention Policy Of At Least Three Years, As Required Under State Law. Wrote the editorial board of the Springfield News-Leader, “Klahr's e-mail became necessary because Martin admitted to destroying his e-mails, Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer indicated it was standard practice, and responding to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch inquiry, Blunt said that nobody retains e-mails for three years. The governor is mistaken. Many state and local officials in Missouri do just that, because it's the law. Republican Treasurer Sarah Steelman does it. So do Democrats Nixon, Auditor Susan Montee and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.” [Springfield News-Leader, 9/19/07]

Steelman’s Office Claimed “Special Information Technology Section” To Ensure Records Retention.Reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “A Post-Dispatch survey of other statewide offices found that most say they have detailed policies governing which e-mails are to be preserved, and which can be purged. Those offices include Republican state Treasurer Sarah Steelman, and two Democrats, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and state Auditor Susan Montee. All said they also have systems in place for long-term storage of e-mails, either electronically or on paper. Montee said in an interview that her office must retain all e-mails pertaining to audits for at least 11 years. Steelman's staff said they had a special information technology section to preserve records for the office, including e-mails.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/19/07]