Steyer ad hits Pa. governor’s oil, gas ties

Billionaire Tom Steyer’s NextGen Climate group is airing a new television advertisement in Pennsylvania, accusing Gov. Tom Corbett (R) of prioritizing the oil and gas industry over schools.

The ads, airing statewide, challenge Corbett to publicly disclose the meetings and communications he’s had with oil and gas industry lobbyists and donors.

{mosads}“Oil and gas companies gave Corbett $1.7 million in political contributions and he gave them a sweetheart deal on taxes that’s costing Pennsylvania billions,” a voiceover says in the ad. “Corbett’s mismanagement has caused a huge budget deficit and his painful education cuts are forcing teacher layoffs and increasing class sizes.”

Corbett is facing a reelection fight against Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania’s former secretary of Revenue. Wolf has criticized Corbett’s policies that he said give the state’s resources away to energy companies by not charging appropriate fees. Meanwhile, he has cut education budgets.

NextGen also accuses Corbett of being overly secretive about the meetings he has with the oil and gas industry and the contributions they give to him. The ad asks Corbett to “disclose all the contributions, letters and emails from oil and gas lobbyists who influence you.”

Most of NextGen’s campaign action in this election cycle has been in national races, but it is also targeting gubernatorial races in Pennsylvania, Florida and Maine.