Fox, Vice Chair of Henhouse, “No worries!”
State Senator Peter Micciche (R), an employee of ConocoPhillips*, says that while there will be billion dollar decisions made about oil and gas issues in the legislature this session, there is no conflict of interest with his seat on the Resources Committee, nor as vice chairman of the the special committee taking the first look at the governor’s oil-tax bill. You know, the one where the governor wants to give almost $2 billion a year to the oil companies, screwing smaller independent oil producers and favoring the “Big Three” – BP, Exxon and ConocoPhillips?*
*Hmmm.
In his own persuasive argument, the newly elected Senator said, “Give me the chance to be the best I can be here.”
Well, I guess that just negates the whole “appearance of impropriety” thing.
At a news briefing Tuesday morning by members of the Republican Senate majority, Micciche said his position wasn’t unusual in a citizen legislature.
“They’ve also had representatives that are attorneys for unions that sit on (the) Labor and Commerce (Committee),” he said. Later, in the interview, he said he was referring to Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage. But he then corrected himself and said he wasn’t sure if Wielechowski ever served on Labor and Commerce.
Wielechowski, associate general counsel for the IBEW — the electrical workers union — said he’s turned down leadership attempts to put him on Labor and Commerce, including making him chairman.
“I would love to serve on that committee, to be honest,” said Wielechowski, who was first elected in 2006. “I just think it’s inappropriate. It raises the appearance of impropriety. I work for the labor union. Sitting on the labor committee, it just didn’t feel right to me.”
Micciche ousted Republican incumbent Tom Wagoner (the only member of the Senate to vote against the anti-bestiality bill) in the primary. He ran unopposed in the general election. Sometimes all you can do is shake your head and bear witness to the destruction.
“I would love to serve on that committee, to be honest,”
That’s the money quote, especially the “honest” part. Very telling.
If you want some background on how well Micciche and ethics got along when he was mayor of Soldotna, do check out SOL in Soldotna
(http://solinsoldotna.blogspot.com/)
To be fair to the man, he did nothing as mayor for self-gain and mostly did right for Soldotna. But he does have problems with anyone who might disagree with his beliefs. He has a habit of re-writing history to bolster his ego and cannot admit mistakes, even when the mistakes are public record.
SOL
We could flood its e-mail in box with definitions of conflict of interest,assuming the senator or his staff can actually read and comprehend multi-syllable words. RW politics must be a team sport. There is no I(words) in rw language, such as integrity or intelligence.
“It’s Alaska” is starting to remind me of “It’s Chinatown,” in the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Next thing you know, someone in the legislature is going to be slapped across the face while saying, “She’s my sister AND my daughter.”
I love that graphic!
Cant argue with Ivan. Let us pray that incompetence saves us from moral ineptitude.
In this state conservatives and independents that vote conservative do not give rats arse about conflicts of interest or unethical politicians.
They would vote for Pontius Pilate if crucifying Jesus meant big oil could continue to do business as usual, take the citizens resources at below market value and turn around and sell it back the the citizens at exorbitant prices.
In this country Capitalism is a god given gift and if you can not afford to participate in the American dream or health care it because god hates you.