Make the Quid Pro Quo Work for You

Corporations and their lobbyists have significant access to legislators because of the campaign contributions they make.  Their contributions open the door to influencing legislators when they draft new legislation, amend existing laws, and create annual state budgets.  Legislators set the standards which government agencies use and the funding which agencies receive.

Ultimately, it is legislators who decide whether Pennsylvania's natural resources will be conserved for future generations or be polluted for short-term gain.  They decide how much funding will go to build highways and how much to public transit infrastructure.  They determine to what extent drilling in the Marcellus Shale will be regulated and whether Pennsylvanians will receive royalties which will compensate them for resulting harm to publicly-owned water resources.  Legislative decisions have a significant impact on the quality of Pennsylvania's water, air, forests, wildlife, and wetlands.

The Fund was founded to make visible contributions which will influence legislative decisions in favor of protecting the environment by supporting candidates who favor environmental protection.  By pooling the resources of numerous individual donors, the Fund seeks to counter the corrosive effect of corporate money in Pennsylvania politics.

In close elections, the Fund can put pressure on major party candidates by raising the visibility of third party and independent candidates who advocate for environmental issues.  In addition, the Fund can support major party candidates who are willing to ease restrictions which prevent third-party and independent candidates from getting on the ballot.  This will increase the likelihood that environmental issues will gain greater visibility in elections.

The Fund can also be key in strengthening the campaign of a candidate who supports enhanced ballot access or greater environmental protection.  A few billboards or cable TV ads can be just the push a challenger needs to come from behind.

Lastly, many Green and independent candidates run on the principle of taking only contributions from individuals, and not groups, corporations, or PACs.  The Fund will be able to assist these candidates with independent advertising on issues crucial to their campaigns.