Not just endorsements, but a major award from the polluters. Very reminiscent of Carney getting that award from the Chamber and carrying their water for eight years. But, I digress.
Let’s first hear from Deb in her own words:
“I’m truly honored by the Chemical Industry Council Of Delaware for naming me their first Champion Of Chemistry.
As a career environmental toxicologist, I’ve made the health and protection of our environment my top priority both professionally and legislatively.”
That second sentence could have been true. In fact, should have been true. It is, however, a bald-faced lie.
The Chemical Industry Council Of Delaware lobbied against every single significant environmental bill this session. Most sessions, for that matter. Because, after all, they represent the chemical industry in all its permutations. They had a willing co-conspirator in Deb Heffernan, who buried two great environmental bills in her own committee, the House Natural Resources Committee. Lest anyone need proof that the CIC lobbied against excellent environmental bills, you can see for yourself right here. You will first note that the Chemical Industry Council Of Delaware is not even domiciled in Delaware, but in Washington, D. C. Has the exact same address as the American Chemical Council which, just like the CIC, has consistently maxed out to noted ‘environmentalist’ Deb Heffernan. That address?:
This session alone, both organizations lobbied against the following (you can follow along on the links above):
HB 466 (K. Johnson): The bill ‘defines certain facilities which will require an applicant seeking a permit for a new facility, or expansion of an existing facility, or renewal of an existing permit, located in an overburdened community, as defined in the Act, to provide an environmental justice impact report.’ In other words, seeks to promote environmental justice. Deb Heffernan buried it in the House Natural Resources Committee, which she chairs. What did she say again?: ‘I’ve made the health and protection of our environment my top priority both professionally and legislatively.‘ I report. You decide.
SB 305 (Hansen): ‘Establishes a statutory requirement of greenhouse gas emissions reductions over the medium and long term to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on the State, establishing a mandatory and regularly updated plan to achieve those emissions reductions and develop resilience strategies for the State, and requires State agencies to address climate change in decision-making and rulemaking. ‘ One of the single most important pieces of climate legislation to ever be introduced in Delaware. Passed the Senate on June 9. Deb Heffernan buried it in the House Natural Resources Committee, which she chairs. What did she say again? ‘I’ve made the health and protection of our environment my top priority both professionally and legislatively.‘ I report. You decide.
SS1/SB 134 (Paradee): ‘Prohibits a food establishment from providing consumers with a single-service plastic coffee stirrer, cocktail pick, or sandwich pick or with ready-to-eat food or a beverage in polystyrene containers. SB 134 also prohibits food establishments from providing single-service plastic straws, unless requested by a consumer. Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 134 creates the same restrictions as SB 134, but updates and corrects terms and definitions, and includes additional exceptions for both polystyrene foam food service packaging and plastic straws. This ‘exception’ was due to Our PAL Val Longhurst and Nicole Poore lobbying on behalf of a manufacturer in their district, Dart Container. Despite Paradee’s concession, and despite the bill passing the Senate, both the CIC and the American Chemical Council continued to lobby against the bill. Despite promising Sen. Paradee that she would run the bill on June 30 (same date as on the following memo), Val Longhurst, Delaware’s Most Corrupt Legislator, broke her promise:
HB 220 (Wilson-Anton): ‘This is the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution to conserve, protect and maintain Delaware’s natural resources, including its water, air, soil, flora, fauna, ecosystems and climate. This Amendment would create an inherent and inalienable right for all Delawareans to a clean and healthy environment. The Amendment would also declare that the State, including all of its branches, agencies, and political subdivisions, as trustee of the State’s natural resources. By enacting this amendment Delaware would join other States which have or are seeking similar provisions, in their respective Constitutions, creating the same inherent and inalienable rights for their citizens. This is the Green New Deal. The bill was introduced on April 28 this year. Val Longhurst buried it in the House Administration Committee. This effectively delays a Green New Deal For Delaware by two years, as the bill has to pass in two consecutive General Assemblies.
Perhaps now would be a good time to acquaint newcomers with the unethical partnership between Longhurst and Deb Heffernan. Here ya’ go. Got that? With this bill, which BTW is now law, Deb Heffernan will serve on the same Ft. DuPont board that asks the General Assembly for money and, if reelected, will give that money to the Ft. DuPont project. Deb Heffernan comes hat-in-hand to Dover to ask for money, and Deb Heffernan obliges Deb Heffernan by giving her, oh, a million dollars, at least, based on past performance. A blatant conflict-of-interest. Except, apparently, to members of the General Assembly. Heffernan plays the same bag-man role for the Riverfront Development Corporation, which was gifted a head-scratching additional tax break this year.
I haven’t delved into the activities of local lobbyists like Bobby Byrd and his family who have consistently opposed the same bills on behalf of their polluter clients and–donated lots of dollars to Deb. OK, I will. The Byrds (plus Kim Gomes, one of their lobbyists) opposed the same bills as above on behalf of Calpine Corp., Chesapeake Utilities, the Delaware State Chamber Of Commerce, DuPont, and Koch Companies. Koch Companies? The Byrds call themselves Democrats? They’ll take dirty money from anybody, and hand it off to lackeys like Deb Heffernan.
We’ve come full circle. What were Deb’s words, again?:
“I’m truly honored by the Chemical Industry Council Of Delaware for naming me their first Champion Of Chemistry.
As a career environmental toxicologist, I’ve made the health and protection of our environment my top priority both professionally and legislatively.”
I reported. You decide. BTW, her opponent is Becca Cotto, who has pledged to never accept a dime in corporate contributions.