Job losses continue as Big Oil profits soar

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 3:55 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Linda Stender for Congress

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Linda Stender campaign press release. I do not work for Linda Stender's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

Unemployment rose to 5.7 percent in July; Exxon Mobil reported record profits

August 1, 2008

FANWOOD – Today, the Department of Labor reported job losses for the seventh consecutive month. Employers eliminated 51,000 jobs in the month of July alone, for a total of 463,000 fewer jobs now than in December 2007 [Washington Post, 8/1/08].

The report comes one day after Exxon Mobil reported the highest quarterly profits ever for a corporation, with an income of $11.68 billion for April through June [New York Times, 8/31/08].

“While American unemployment numbers climbed for the seventh straight month, the Bush Administration’s friends in Big Oil reported the highest quarterly profits ever for a corporation,” said Linda Stender, candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District. “At the same time our families are paying almost $4 a gallon, Big Oil continues to benefit from tax breaks and record profits. As I travel around the 7th District, I hear everyday from families who are hurting, and who are worried about providing a better future for their children and grandchildren.”

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Exxon Mobil Announces Biggest Quarterly Profit Ever

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 3:51 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Dan Maffei for US Congress (NY-25)

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Dan Maffei campaign press release. I do not work for Dan Maffei's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

July 31, 2008

Maffei demands Exxon spend more on research and development, reduce the soaring cost of energy

Today, Exxon-Mobil announced its quarterly earnings: a record setting $11.68 billion for April to June. Dan Maffei, Congressional candidate for New York-25, questioned why consumers are being crushed at the pump while Exxon enjoys profits from soaring gas prices.

"Exxon-Mobil is padding the pockets of speculators, where they should focus on U.S. production" said Maffei. "Instead of idly watching the American economy suffocate under the weight of gas prices, Exxon needs to spend significantly more on research and development in the vast areas where they are already permitted to drill and have failed to take any action."

Currently, there are over 68 million acres already leased to oil companies for drilling that are sitting untouched. Research and development on these lands are only a short-term, though very necessary, step towards ending the energy crisis. We also need to immediately invest in alternatives fuels that will end our dependence on oil and give families economic stability, regardless of volatility in the cost of a barrel of oil.

Maffei continued: "My opponent has complained that we need to provide easier access to protected areas so Big Oil can drill without having to invest too much. I think the profits Exxon posted today prove they have more than enough to spend on research and development, and they don't need anymore favors from Washington D.C."

Maffei Unveils New Job Creation Plan for Central and Upstate New York

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 3:43 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Dan Maffei for US Congress (NY-25)

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Dan Maffei campaign press release. I do not work for Dan Maffei's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

Emphasizes Green Energy, Improving Business Climate and Partnering with Universities to Bring New Jobs to the Region

July 22, 2008

Congressional Candidate for New York's 25th District, Dan Maffei, today held two press conferences, one each in Rochester and Syracuse, to unveil his plan to bring jobs to Central and Upstate New York. Maffei's plan focused on three areas: reducing energy costs and investing in renewable energy locally; improving the business climate to keep industry competitive and encourage new job growth; and, partnering with universities to stop the exodus of young people from Central and Upstate New York.

"Times are tough for families here in Central and Upstate New York- costs are up and employment is down," said Maffei. "But I know our region already has the capital it needs to bring jobs back: terrific natural resources, some of the top institutions of higher learning in the world and great quality of life. Now we just need the new leadership to turn our economy around. My plan will ease the burdens of the cost of oil we are facing right now, and invest in the alternative energy sources our future economy will demand. "

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Maffei to PSC: Approve Iberdrola to Increase NY's Renewable Energy Supply

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 2:27 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Dan Maffei for US Congress (NY-25)

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Dan Maffei campaign press release. I do not work for Dan Maffei's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

July 25, 2008

It is time for the Public Service Commission to do the right thing and approve Iberdrola's plan to invest in wind energy here in New York State. Our State government is aiming to produce 25% of our energy from renewable sources by 2013, and Iberdrola's plan presents a unique opportunity to work towards that goal. We must do even more, and I have a plan to bring jobs to upstate New York, and investing in green energy is a large part of what we can to do to turn our economy around.

Clean Water Action Endorses Jennings

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 2:25 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Christine Jennings for FL-13

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Christine Jennings campaign press release. I do not work for Christine Jenning's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

SARASOTA, FL – July 22, 2008 – Today, the campaign of Christine Jennings announced she has received the endorsement of Clean Water Action. In its endorsement letter, Clean Water Action praised Jennings for her “commitment to protecting the environment, especially our lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water sources,” and continued on to say that their “endorsement sends a message of [her] strong support and commitment to environmental issues.”
 
The group, made up of more than 1.2 million members, provides leadership on crucial issues of environmental health, ecosystem protection and community quality of life. Clean Water Action has been a leader for vital environmental legislation including the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Superfund for toxic cleanup.
 
“Christine Jennings is unmistakably committed to protecting our environment, and we are pleased that Clean Water Action has recognized her commitment,” said Jennings spokesperson Melissa Smith. “Unfortunately, her opponent does not seem to share that same commitment, as evidenced by his silence on far too many issues of environmental importance. Even worse, while Rep. Buchanan will not share details of his plan to address global warming, he is focused on ‘greenwashing’ his record through taxpayer-funded mailings sent out through his office.”
 
 Rep. Buchanan has still refused to make his positions on the environment clear, declining to fill out Greenpeace’s global warming questionnaire, as Jennings has done. Buchanan also did not attend a forum on global warming sponsored by Greenpeace and local environmentalists in April on Lido Beach. Furthermore, in its most recent legislative scorecard, the League of Conservation Voters gives Buchanan low marks, with a rating of 25 percent on key environmental issues. 

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STENDER: Big Oil profits soar while we pay more at the pump

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 2:23 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Linda Stender for Congress

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Linda Stender campaign press release. I do not work for Linda Stender's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

We need change in Washington to address our energy crisis and bring real relief

July 31, 2008

FANWOOD – At the same time consumers are paying almost $4 a gallon for gas, Exxon Mobil today reported the highest quarterly profit ever for any American company. The world’s largest publicly traded oil company reported income growth of 14% for the second quarter, to $11.68 billion [New York Times, 7/31/08].

Exxon Mobil made nearly $90,000 per minute from April through June of this year, according to the oil company’s report.

“While New Jersey families are struggling to pay record gas prices, Big Oil continues to reap in record profits at our expense,” said Linda Stender, candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District. “Our economy is in shambles, and families are forced to pay the rising costs of everything from gas to food to healthcare. We are in an energy crisis, and must develop a real national energy policy that brings down gas prices and invests in renewable energy sources.”

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Stender Statement on Surge in Consumer Prices

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 5, 2008 2:21 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Linda Stender for Congress

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Linda Stender campaign press release. I do not work for Linda Stender's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

July 16, 2008

FANWOOD – The Department of Labor today released figures showing that in the month of June, inflation increased at almost twice the rate it did in May. The Consumer Price index – which measures prices of various household products – rose 1.1 percent last month, the largest monthly gain since September 2005 [New York Times, 7/16/2008].

The Consumer Price Index is watched as a measurement of inflation, and in the last 12 months the index has risen 5 percent – the biggest yearly increase since 1991. The AP reports two-thirds of the previous month’s surge is blamed on high energy prices, which increased 6.6 percent.

“Our economy is on the brink of a recession, and yesterday we learned the rate of inflation doubled from May to June,” said Linda Stender, candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District. “As the cost of everything from gas to food to healthcare continues to rise, New Jersey families are struggling to make ends meet. Our housing market is in shambles and millions of Americans are in danger of losing their homes. Too many parents are forced to choose between taking their child to the doctor or filling up a tank of gas.”

“Meanwhile, the Bush Administration continues to spend $12 billion a month on a war that never should have been waged. At the same time we learned our economy moved further toward a recession, President Bush reaffirmed his opposition to a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. I call upon my opponent, former Republican Leader Leonard Lance, to join me in opposing President Bush’s policy on Iraq and to support a timetable for withdrawal so we may bring our troops home safely and soon.”

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Begich Statement on Stevens Indictment

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 4, 2008 12:02 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Alaskans for Begich

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Mark Begich campaign press release. I do not work for Begich's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

7.29.08

U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich today released the following statement regarding the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens:

“The indictment of Senator Ted Stevens is a sad day for Alaska and for the senator after his 40 years of service to our state. The people of Alaska are resilient and strong.

I have great faith in our state and our people, and we will continue to move forward.”

Frivolous complaint aimed at distracting public from corruption scandal

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 4, 2008 11:58 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Alaskans for Begich

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Mark Begich campaign press release. I do not work for Begich's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

7.31.08

The campaign of U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich today responded to a complaint filed by the Republican Party of Alaska as frivolous and politically-motivated. The Republican Party filed a complaint with the Alaska Public Offices Commission claiming Begich inaccurately filed financial disclosure statements. 

“The Begich campaign is reviewing the complaint filed by the Alaska Republican Party but it appears they failed to even pull Begich’s complete disclosure package,” said campaign press secretary Julie Hasquet. “As a result, their claims are inaccurate.”

“The Republican Party was so quick to try and distract from its own issues, they didn’t even get their facts straight. You can’t ignore the irony of the politically-motivated attack filed on the same day Sen. Ted Stevens is arraigned in federal court on seven felony counts related to accepting illegal gifts valued at over $250,000 from VECO. 

“Mark Begich believes strongly in full disclosure, always fills out his financial disclosure forms in great detail and often beyond what’s required, and has posted 18 years of financial disclosure reports on his campaign website. If any problems are found with his recent filings, the reports will be corrected immediately.

“It could not be more obvious that the Republican Party of Alaska is attempting to distract the public from the corruption scandal and the legal issues surrounding Senator Stevens. Sen. Stevens is the first sitting U.S. Senator to be indicted in 15 years.”

Hasquet noted the complaint was filed the same day the Republican Party of Alaska is returning nearly $35,000 in financial gifts from VECO.

Cornyn Ties to Big Oil Outweigh Potential Gas Price Relief for Texas Families

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 4, 2008 11:54 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Rick Noriega press release. I do not work for Noriega's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

Houston – In voting to block legislation designed to rein in excessive energy speculation, John Cornyn continued a pattern of placing Big Oil interests ahead of those of Texas families, said the Rick Noriega campaign today, which unveiled its plan for energy self-sufficiency earlier this week and will be hosting roundtable discussions and townhall meetings to hear Texas families' concerns on Cornyn's status quo energy policies this coming week. Cornyn, who has received more donations from oil and gas firms than nearly any other Senator, voted against moving forward on a bill to crack down on energy financial speculation and provide families with relief from record-high gas prices.

A chorus of leading economists and energy experts has cited the role excessive speculation plays in driving up the price of oil. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com and an advisor to John McCain, said financial speculation "clearly has played a role" in raising oil prices. Similarly, Michael Greenberger, formerly of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, said, "there’s a speculative premium that goes beyond what supply-and-demand factors dictate. And that’s what could be drained with aggressive United States regulation."

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