Taking place in New York City this weekend
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Each group attending the four-day Pennsylvania Society event has political connections to powerful players here.
PA Independent pulls back the curtain a little to reveal which groups and politicians are sponsoring events in New York City.
(Hat-tip to PoliticsPA for compiling a list of all events taking place this weekend)
Law firms, lobbyists and other politically connected groups sponsoring events
Saul Ewing LLP — Philadelphia-based law firm with several ties to the administration of former governors Tom Ridge and Ed Rendell. Law firm partner Tim Carson was appointed by Ridge as vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Carson resigned in 2010 after two drunken driving incidents. Carson also has close ties with state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille, and the law firm has paid for the judge to attend several PA Society events, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Cozen O'Connor — Philadelphia-based law firm, representing Gov. Tom Corbett's administration in its bid to have David Unkovic named receiver to control the city of Harrisburg's economic recovery plan. Charles Kopp, an attorney at the law firm, was appointed by Corbett to head the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority in March. Previously, Kopp served on Corbett's transition team
Dilworth Paxson — Philadelphia-based law firm. Former state Sen. Vince Fumo, who is now serving time in a federal prison on corruption charges which included taking $1 million from the firm in exchange for steering business to it. Michael Krancer, state Secretary of Environmental Protection, was a partner prior to leaving for Blank Rome in 1992.
Wojdak and Associates — Philadelphia-based law and lobbying firm. Managing Vice President Steve Crawford was chief of staff for Rendell. Executive vice president in charge of the firm's lobbying branch is Holly Kinser, ex-wife of former Speaker of the House Bill DeWeese, D-Greene.
Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney — Pittsburgh-based law and lobbying firm. Former employees include former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph Cappy. CEO Jack Barbour was a member of Corbett's transition team.
McCormick Taylor — Philadelphia-based engineering consulting firm, specializing in transportation projects. Current state Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch worked there prior to joining the Corbett administration
Public Financial Management — Philadelphia-based financial and investment advisers. Earlier this year, hired by the Corbett administration to study the potential state revenue from privatizing the liquor store system.
Bravo Group — Public relations firm with offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, with clients including Comcast, Cisco Systems, several natural gas companies and multiple health insurance firms.
The Energy Association — A trade association that lobbies on behalf of the energy companies in Pennsylvania. Members include all natural gas and electric utilities operating in Pennsylvania. CEO Terrance Fitzpatrick was a member of Corbett's Marcellus Shale Commission.
Marcellus Shale Coalition — Trade association that lobbies on behalf of natural gas companies operating in Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale region.
Christine J. Toretti — Former Republican Party of Pennsylvania chairwoman. Chairwoman and CEO of S.W. Jack Drilling Co., the largest privately held land-based drilling company in the United States. Member of Corbett's transition team
Blank Rome LLP — Philadelphia-based law firm. Krancer was a partner from 1992 to 1999. Also has ties to former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro and several Pennsylvania judges.
Duane Morris LLP — Philadelphia-based law firm. Pennsylvania General Counsel Barbara Adams, appointed by Rendell in 2005, is an alumnus of the firm, as are several federal judges in the Eastern district of Pennsylvania. Former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel also worked there.
Drinker Biddle — Chester County-based law firm with ties to Ridge.
Michael Clark & Surmont LLC — Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm.
Arent Fox — Washington, D.C.-based law firm with ties to several U.S. senators and representatives.
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association — Harrisburg-based trade association for manufacturing firms in the state. Financially backs several conservative political organizations.
IBEW Local 98 — Philadelphia-based local union of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
University of Pennsylvania — Rendell and former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter are among its notable alumni.
Independent Blue Cross — Southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest regional health insurance provider.
PNC — Pittsburgh-based bank.
Wachovia — Charlotte, N.C.-based bank, owned wholly by Wells Fargo.
Wells Fargo — San Francisco-based bank.
RBC Capital Markets — Canadian investment bank, owned by the Royal Bank of Canada.
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Politicians and political parties hosting fundraisers and receptions
GOP State Committee of Pennsylvania — Guests include Corbett, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and N.J. Gov. Chris Christie. Cost: $1,000-$5,000
Bob Casey — U.S. senator, D-Pa. Cost: $125-$1,000
Pat Toomey — U.S. senator, R-Pa. Cost: $1,000-$5,000
Bill Shuster — U.S. representative for 9th District. Cost: $500-$1,000
Charlie Dent — U.S. representative for 15th District. By invitation only.
Auditor General Jack Wagner — State auditor general, a Democrat. By Invitation only.
Dominic Pileggi — Senate majority leader, R-Chester. By invitation only.
Vincent Hughes — State senator, D-Philadelphia. Unknown.
Pat Browne — State senator, R-Lehigh. Joint event with Dent.
Bob Mensch — State senator, R-Montgomery. Joint event with Dent.
Gary Day — State representative, R-Lehigh. Joint event with Dent.
Joe Emrick — State representative, R-Northampton. Joint event with Dent.
Julie Harhart — State representative, R-Northampton. Joint event with Dent.
Marcia Hahn — State representative, R-Northampton. Joint event with Dent.
Marcy Toepel — State representative, R-Montgomery. Joint event with Dent.
Justin Simmons — State representative, R-Lehigh. Joint event with Dent.
