Real Koch Facts

Kansas Gov. Brownback Gives the Kochs Another Home State Win with Ethanol Subsidy Compromise

May 6, 2015

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback just gave the Koch brothers exactly what they wanted. On Monday, Brownback announced a “compromise” on the state’s renewable energy standards, changing a mandate into a voluntary goal — another win for the elected officials protecting the Kochs’ bottom line.

The renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requires utilities to get at least 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources like wind and solar. Since January 2014, the Koch brothers have been attacking the standards through Americans for Prosperity, calling for an end to the mandate. Brownback gave the Kochs just that and then went above and beyond for Koch Industries, changing the property tax exemption for wind power producers to a 10-year exemption.

The Kochs bankrolled the governor’s campaign and many of his policies come straight out of their playbook, including the cuts to taxes, state spending, and public jobs that have devastated the Kansas educational system. […]

New Koch Front Group Joins Their Hypocritical Crusade Against Electric Cars

August 16, 2016

The Koch brothers’ crusade against renewable energy and the electric vehicle continued this weekend with the announcement of the “Fueling U.S. Forward” group. At the Red State Gathering, Charles Drevna, the group’s president and CEO, spoke about the Kochs’ latest initiative:

“We need a sustainable energy to ensure the future of the country,” Mr. Drevna told the audience.

The source of that energy? That which Mr. Drevna labeled “reliable, abundant, efficient and sustainable fuels.”

“Folks, that’s of course the fossil fuels,” he immediately added.

Apparently there was a distinct absence of dictionaries when Drevna wrote his speech as he was unable to correctly use “sustainable” in a sentence.

Drevna previously worked for the Koch-funded Institute For Energy Research as a distinguished senior fellow. The president of the newest Koch front group also told the Red State crowd that he wasworking directly with Koch Industries Board Member James Mahoney and that Koch Industries […]

“It’s A Big Victory”: Kochs Win On Omnibus

December 18, 2015

“It’s a big victory.” That’s Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips’s assessment of the omnibus budget legislation that lifts the oil export ban and delivers a number of other big wins for Charles and David Koch.

The $1.1-trillion budget deal is chock-full of Koch agenda items, dutifully packed in by their bought-and-paid-for Koch candidates and shepherded through by their speaker of the House, Paul Ryan. The biggest win for Charles and David is the bill’s provision to lift the oil export ban — something the two billionaires have spent the last forty years lobbying for. Yes, since 1975. And despite what they’ve claimed over the years, it was not a selfless, ideological campaign. One of their employees admitted just this week that lifting the ban would be good for their business.

Other omnibus gifts for the Kochs include:

An EPA budget freeze. (More pollution, less oversight.)
A provision blocking new political spending disclosure requirements. (This […]

The Adelsons Are In The House, But Tonight Will Be A Koch Show

December 16, 2015

Tonight’s GOP-candidates-sucking-up-to-donors narrative will center on the GOP field’s efforts to woo GOP mega-donor and Venetian hotel owner Sheldon Adelson. It makes sense: It’s Adelson’s home turf and he’ll be right there in the audience. And there’s no question the various candidates — Marco Rubio, in particular — are very much trying to win his favor.

But each and every candidate is equally — probably more so — eager to win Charles and David Koch’s backing — and they’ll be doing their best to show the billionaire brothers that they deserve their network’s $900 million support.

Or every candidate but one, that is. Donald Trump — the guy whose very appeal among voters rests in the fact that “he can’t be bought” — is the one candidate who won’t be up there pandering to Adelson and the Kochs tonight. Trump’s candidacy and absolute dominance is keeping Charles and David up at night, because they know they can’t pressure […]

Scrambling To Hide Koch Commitments, GOP Field Boots “Biggest Weakness” Question

October 29, 2015

Wednesday night’s debate opened with a question that — while simple — gave the GOP field some trouble: “What’s your biggest weakness?” Each of the candidates ducked and dodged the question to the best of their respective abilities — some better than others. (To paraphrase Donald Trump, some of them “just don’t have it”: Blah, blah, blah, etc.)

But the reason the candidates struggled is no more complex than the question itself: Rubio, Bush, Cruz, and the rest of the crew couldn’t exactly go up there and tell the truth — they couldn’t admit that they’re boxed in by an inflexible fealty to Charles and David Koch and their selfish agenda. It’s not exactly voter-friendly to admit that, in everything you do, in any legislation you push, the Kochs’ agenda — and their bottom line — will always supersede the interests of the American public.

Three candidates in particular,

No Matter Who Is The GOP Nominee, The Kochs Win

October 29, 2015

The Koch brothers’ invisible primary has allowed them to pull the strings in the GOP presidential fight from from behind the scenes. Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina have made it clear they are salivating at the chance for a bite of Koch cash. The Kochs even had the decency to provide talking points for tonight’s debate. All ten candidates on the stage tonight support policies that will boost billionaires like the Kochs and hurt middle class and working families.

Take a look at the candidates’ ties to the Kochs:

Rubio
Koch Primary

Headline: “Marco Rubio: I Would Love To Win Support From The Koch Brothers In 2016.” [Washington Times, 4/23/15]

The Kochs “Identified Five Candidates Who Have The Right Message And ‘A Good Chance Of Getting Elected’”: Scott Walker, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, And Marco Rubio. According to USA Today, “[Charles] Koch, his brother David and their team have identified five candidates who […]

Marco Rubio’s Energy Plan Reads Like A Big Oil And Koch Wishlist

October 16, 2015

Today, Marco Rubio released his energy plan, promising to help American “take full advantage of our energy potential.” But his plan reads like a Koch Industries wishlist: Rubio pushes to end the oil export ban, build Keystone despite environmental concerns, and phase out the Renewable Fuel Standard.

In response to Rubio’s plan, American Bridge President Jessica Mackler released the following statement:

“Marco Rubio says his energy plan will bring the country into a the 21st century. However, the ever-absent senator’s policies aren’t original or groundbreaking. Rubio is advocating for outdated practices that would take us back decades in addressing climate change. Just like Jeb Bush and the rest of the GOP field, Marco Rubio’s plan promises to protect big oil and the Koch brothers, instead of growing clean energy and protecting the environment.”
Rubio And The Kochs

AFP’s 2015 “Wish List” Includes “Approve The Keystone XL Pipeline, Repeal The Oil Export Ban, Fight The New EPA […]

“Self-Congratulatory,” “Corporate Propaganda” Reviews For Koch’s New Book Roll In

October 15, 2015

The reviews are rolling in for Charles Koch’s new book and it doesn’t look like many of them will end up on the walls of his corner office. Earlier this week, Bridge Project exposed how Charles Koch is using his new book to whitewash his record in business and politics and fact checked the early themes of the book. Now check out what others are saying about Charles Koch’s new book and the PR campaign around it:

Publisher’s Weekly gave Koch’s book a brutal early review calling it a “rambling rah-rah for his company’s operating philosophy,” “a book-length advertisement for Koch Industries’ products, and for himself as a businessman,” and “self-congratulatory and slim.”

Koch’s hometown paper, the Wichita Eagle, highlights how despite the Kochs’ attempt to rebrand themselves, still little is known about what makes the Kochs tick politically and the book “reveals little about political operations” of the Koch network and […]

RFS: Good For Iowa, Bad For The Kochs, Who Will The GOP Side With?

August 26, 2015

One of the best examples of the Koch brothers’ self-interest is their longstanding, heavily-funded opposition to the Renewable Fuel Standard. While the RFS is good for Iowa’s economy and the environment, the Kochs oppose it because it threatens their own oil profits.

Today, as Hillary Clinton announces her support for strengthening the RFS, will Republicans do what’s right for Iowa and support the RFS or will they listen to the Kochs in hopes they get a piece of the $900 million the brothers are planning to spend on this election?

Earlier this year, Bridge Project’s report, “The Importance of Buying Ernst: Why The Kochs Go Wilde Lobbying the Hawkeye State,” outlined just how far the Kochs have gone to end the RFS — despite overwhelming support from Iowans.

From the report:

KOCH HAS LOBBIED AGAINST THE RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD AND BIODIESEL FUEL STANDARDS TO PROTECT THEIR OIL INTERESTS IN IOWA

Koch Lobbyists Opposed Iowa Bill To […]

Jeb Bush Is No Stranger In Koch Country

August 21, 2015

Jeb Bush and the Koch brothers’ roots run deep.

Though he may claim the contrary, Jeb’s attendance and role as a keynote speaker at today’s Koch-sponsored Defending the American Dream Summit is no coincidence. His relationship with the Kochs is far past budding — it’s been blossoming for years.

Jeb Bush’s association with Koch-linked groups goes back decades, and even predates his first gubernatorial election — continuing through his tenure as governor and to this day. Jeb’s even hired Koch network staffers to work on his presidential campaign.

So, protest as he might that he’s a stranger in Koch Country, rest assured: Jeb’s a native son.

In conjunction with this weekend’s Americans for Prosperity Defending the American Dream conference in Columbus, Bridge Project today also released a new report, “O-H-I-O Koch! Koch! Koch!: How The Kochs Have Polluted Ohio With Their Business & Politics,” detailing the extensive damage done by the Kochs’ subversive Ohio operations. Read more

Koch Industries’ History Of Selling Millions Worth Of Oil Equipment To Iran

July 14, 2015

One after another the Republican presidential candidates have come out condemning the Obama administration’s historic deal with Iran today. But two of the GOP field’s top backers might not agree with them.

In a damning report, Bloomberg digs in to the Koch brothers’ business engagements with Iran. Koch Industries flouted laws put into place in 1995 by President Clinton that barred U.S.-Iran trading and sold petrochemical equipment to the Middle Eastern country.

According to Bloomberg,

A Bloomberg Markets investigation has found that Koch Industries — in addition to being involved in improper payments to win business in Africa, India and the Middle East — has sold millions of dollars of petrochemical equipment to Iran, a country the U.S. identifies as a sponsor of global terrorism.
…
The company’s products helped build a methanol plant for Zagros Petrochemical Co., a unit of Iran’s state-owned National Iranian Petrochemical Co., the documents show. The facility, in the coastal city of Bandar Assaluyeh, is […]

A Boost for the Texas economy? Not at the expense of the Koch brothers

June 8, 2015

Texas lieutenant governor and redder than red Tea Partier Dan Patrick called for it. Texas Republican-establishment favorite and state House Speaker Joe Strauss pushed it. Democratic state Senator Carlos Uresti introduced it. Even environmentalists and pipeline companies were agreeing on it. So what stopped the bipartisan energy policy that would have boosted the Texas economy by increasing the demand for natural gas? None other than Koch Industries.

According to the Texas Tribune, the bills in question “would have incentivized state agencies, counties and cities to convert their oil-guzzling fleets to those that run on natural gas or other alternative fuels” as well as updated the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan to increase its efficiency.

By increasing the demand for natural gas, the policy “would have been a shot in the arm for the economy, and it would have continued to build on the infrastructure,” Uresti told the Texas Tribune. But the […]

REPORT The Importance of Buying Ernst: Why The Kochs Go Wilde Lobbying the Hawkeye State

May 15, 2015

Bridge Project is continuing the “Month’s Supply of Koch” with the release of the latest report:“The Importance of Buying Ernst: Why the Kochs Go Wilde Lobbying in the Hawkeye State.” It’s a comprehensive look at the impact of the Kochs’ operations in Iowa. In their quest to grow their empire, the early primary state has been a central focus for the brothers’ political maneuvering.

The Koch brothers’ priorities couldn’t be more out-of-step with Hawkeye State values. Perhaps the best example of the Kochs’ self-interest is their opposition to the renewable fuel standard and biodiesel fuel standards – a boon to Iowa’s economy – to protect their own oil profits. In fact, since 2006, Koch companies have lobbied on at least 37 bills in Iowa related to ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable fuels — despite overwhelming support of biodiesel by Iowans. The Kochs aren’t just hitting Iowa’s farmers […]

Kochs’ hometown newspaper attacks Brownback-Koch efforts

May 14, 2015

The Koch brothers’ hometown newspaper, the Wichita Eagle, printed a nasty editorial that skewers the Kochs and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback for their assault on wind energy. The Kochs and Gov. Brownback, who they propped up financially during his underdog reelection campaign, continue to team up and push through conservative policies that destroy Kansas’ economy and education system but balloon the Kochs’ bottom line.

The latest joint Koch-Brownback effort is the AFP-backed bill Brownback signed this week to weaken the state’s wind power sector. By some estimates, wind power could create 12,000 jobs and $8 billion in investment in Kansas. Seeing the impact to the Kochs’ profits, the Kansas branch of Americans for Prosperity (the Kochs’ political arm) spent more than $300,000 in an effort to repeal the state’s renewable energy standards.

Naturally, the Kochs and their elected officials are opposed to any regulation that hurts their profits. And like always, after bankrolling Gov. Brownback’s […]

Not For Profit? Charles Koch’s Pants Are On Fire

April 23, 2015

Charles Koch gave an interview to USA Today insisting that his unprecedented political spending isn’t about increasing the bottom line for Koch Industries, but that claim is so far removed from the facts that it has to dial long distance when it calls home.

Don’t take our word for it: Ask how the Kochs continue to back candidates who break with where they claim to stand on issues like criminal justice reform, immigration, gay marriage, and more. The truth is, it’s all about the money, and the Kochs won’t rest until they’ve successfully gutted Social Security, Medicare, environmental regulations, and any other program that threatens to impact their fortune.

Background

The New York Times: During 1980 Campaign for Vice President, David Koch Gave Speeches Against Overregulation As Koch Industries Was “Subpoenaed As Part Of A Federal Criminal Investigation Into Fraudulently Obtained Oil And Gas Leases,” Filed Suit “To Block Federal Regulators […]

Rand Paul redefines sucking up to Koch brothers

April 16, 2015

Rand Paul pulled one of the biggest suck-ups of all time when he said, “the Kochs have consistently lobbied against special-interest politics,” in his lavish praise of the Koch brothers in TIME. Rand either doesn’t understand the definition of “special interest” or ignored the Koch brothers’ long history of being “takers,” not “makers” as Paul Ryan would say — redefining special interest politics in the process.

As everyone knows, the Kochs might not walk the halls of Congress themselves, but they plan to spend $889 million to buy the 2016 election and employ an army of political operatives to strong-arm the Republican Party. One by one, Republican presidential candidates, governors, senators and House members are signing onto the Kochs’ extreme worldview: Tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate America, eliminating the minimum wage, slashing Medicare and dismantling Social Security, and opposition to safe air and water standards, to name a few.

The Koch […]

BREAKING: Newly Released Evidence Shows Kochs Back Candidates Who Share Their Extreme, Self-Serving Agenda

August 27, 2014

What do Joni Ernst, Tom Cotton, Cory Gardner, and Mitch McConnell all have in common? They all share key aspects of the Kochs’ extreme, self-serving, anti-working families agenda.

New reporting tonight by The Nation and Huffington Post on audio from a secretive Koch donor conference – where Ernst, Gardner, Cotton, and McConnell all spoke – demonstrates these candidates’ gratitude for the Kochs’ support, and the extent to which they share the extreme Koch agenda.

Whether opposing an increase in the minimum wage (or opposing a federal minimum wage entirely), supporting efforts that would voucherize Medicare, opposing legislative attempts to remedy pay discrimination, or opposing (even “philosophically”) policies that would directly assist those they seek to serve (e.g., the Farm Bill in Arkansas and Renewable Fuel Standards in Iowa), Koch-backed candidates are putting their Koch-backed agenda first above all else.

Supporting research after the jump.

The Kochs’ Self-Serving War On Renewable Energy

Photo Credit: Franco Folini

The Kochs have found a new frontier for their crusade against renewable energy: Ohio. Throughout their careers, the Koch brothers have fought against standards that would stand to lessen their massive oil profits. Now, their political arm, Americans for Prosperity, is trying to halt renewable energy standards in Ohio.

Bloomberg reports that companies like Honda Motor Co. have said the standards are working, and that, according to a research scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, “the estimated burden of meeting the mandates in 2010, 2011 and 2012 was less than 1 percent of the customer’s bill each year.” Moreover, freezing these standards would bring Ohio’s booming renewable industry to a screeching halt, potentially sending billions in planned projects to other states.

The Kochs’ AFP has already tried the same stunt in their home state of Kansas, where they and their allies spent over $300,000 trying to repeal renewable energy standards to no avail. And AFP-Iowa has railed against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). For the Kochs, these are just a few more small investments in bulking up their own pockets.

Dodd-Frank and Wall Street Reform

Photo Credit: Patrik Ragnarsson

Out of an interest in protecting Wall Street from new regulations following the 2008 financial crisis, the Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity opposed the Dodd Frank Act from its inception. Once it became law in 2010, AFP then encouraged members of Congress to vote in favor of subsequent efforts to repeal the measure.

According to AFP, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau – an agency created by Dodd Frank and charged with protecting consumers from predatory financial products and services – is somehow “ill-named,” and thus the law should be repealed.

AFP’s concerns with nomenclature don’t stop there, with the group criticizing regulations surrounding banks’ “so-called systemic risk.”

Renewable Energy

Photo Credit: James Moran

Through their backing of Americans for Prosperity, Charles and David Koch have attempted to block multiple tax credits, subsidies and initiatives that support the growth of the renewable energy industry. As the political arm of two titans of the fossil fuel industry, it’s no surprise that AFP has railed against renewable energy – everything from biofuels, to wind and solar.

AFP routinely identifies proposed tax credits for renewable energy production as “key votes,” essentially scoring Members of Congress based on their willingness to block federal support for renewable energy projects.

In Georgia, AFP went a step further in their opposition to solar energy, propagating a claim that “a proposal requiring Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power to buy more solar energy could raise energy bills by 40 percent,” according to the Huffington Post. The same HuffPo report notes that “the claim is misleading.”

Not ones to discriminate in their opposition to different types of renewable energy, AFP and the Kochs have also opposed the expansion of the wind production tax credit.