Updated data tracking the campaign contributions of industry PACs and executives from 2000 through the end of 2010 are now available for download. Please note that MarcellusMoney.org will be experiencing updates in the coming weeks that will refresh our online data search function to include this information in the "Donations" tab above - but for now, updated figures are available only in the spreadsheed below.
Click here to download a .zip file with a spreadsheet containing data through the end of 2010. Tabbed sheets at the bottom of the spreadsheet show total donations to in-office elected officials, by company, and by year.
The natural gas industry gave $7,175,234 to Pennsylvania candidates and Political Action Committees (PACs) from 2000 through the end of 2010, according to a Common Cause/Pennsylvania (CCPA) analysis released today. $3,442,212 was donated to elected officials currently in office.
The top recipient remains Governor Tom Corbett, with a total $1,634,096 in contributions from the natural gas industry. Corbett raised $1,083,315 of that total in 2009-2010 from 216 donations. He is followed by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, with $293,333.
Giving by the industry doubled from the 2008 election cycle ($1,004,757) to the 2010 election cycle ($2,608,187).
Pennsylvania is one of only eleven states that do not limit the amount of money that individuals can give to candidates. Meanwhile, our state’s online campaign contribution database is so antiquated and inaccessible that it’s difficult for average citizens to know who is influencing their politicians. It’s a long-term problem with particularly serious consequences today.
