Pressure builds to disclose gifts
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HARRISBURG -- Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati wasn't the only lawmaker to accept a free Super Bowl trip from Consol Energy Inc.
State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, a longtime ally of the energy sector, confirmed Wednesday that Consol provided accommodations and transportation to the Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas, where the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers on Feb. 6.
Consol is one of the companies drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale, even as lawmakers wrangle over whether -- and how much -- to tax the growing industry.
After two days dodging phone calls and visits from Capitol reporters, Mr. Solobay Wednesday issued a written statement.
"The notion that this trip could influence my vote in the Senate is absurd," he wrote. "I talked. I listened. In the end, I will always do what's best for my constituents."
Mr. Solobay initially refused to say whether he would reimburse Consol. Instead, he directed a secretary to say that "after the costs are calculated by Consol, he will be addressing it."
Wednesday evening, however, caucus spokeswoman Lisa Scullin said the senator would repay Consol for transportation and lodging. She could not immediately say whether he would use his own money or campaign funds.
Mr. Solobay paid for his own ticket to the game, which Consol was able to secure for him at face value, $900, Ms. Scullin said. She did not know whether he used his own money or campaign funds.
Mr. Solobay wrote that he has always followed "the letter of the law regarding contact with lobbyists and will continue to do so."
State ethics law requires government officials to disclose when they accept more than $650 worth of travel, lodging and hospitality from any single entity.
Watchdogs say costly gifts such as Super Bowl trips allow lobbyists to curry favor with decision makers.
"Lobbyists don't do these things without expecting something in return. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to fool people," said Tim Potts, co-founder of Democracy Rising PA. "These lawmakers should ask their constituents if they want them beholden to a special interest."
Mr. Solobay has publicly opposed taxing natural gas drilling and has said he wants to remove bureaucratic red tape that has hindered the industry's development.
Department of State records show that Consol, its executives and related political action committees contributed at least $9,600 to Mr. Solobay's political campaigns since 2000. A company political action committee held a fundraiser for his Senate campaign last year, according to a report by the watchdog group Common Cause Pennsylvania.
First Published February 17, 2011 12:00 am
