NEWS

GOP fears for oil, gas industry

Tim Carpenter

WICHITA — Four Republicans in the Kansas congressional delegation Monday outlined dark scenarios that could lead to heavier taxation and deeper regulation of the nation's oil and gas industry.

Pessimism about implications of the Democrat's agenda dominated the discussion among Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Reps. Lynn Jenkins and Todd Tiahrt at the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association's annual meeting.

"I always worry about what lurks under the banner of a lame-duck Congress," Roberts told the overflow crowd. "Some of these people have no conscience. We've got targets on our backs."

Brownback, who is running for governor against Democrat Tom Holland, said the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could be used as a vehicle by Democrats to thin tax incentives relied upon by domestic oil and gas producers or to introduce new regulations applying to a range of energy-related companies.

"There is a reasonable prospect of that happening," said Brownback, who referred to the spill as a terrible event. "Don't use that to go at the oil and gas industry."

The House and Senate will be in session for about four weeks before taking a break in conjunction with the November election. Additional legislation could be moved after the election but before new lawmakers are sworn into office in January.

Tiahrt, who will be vacating his 4th District seat after losing a GOP campaign for the Senate, said the oil and gas industry was an "easy target" for tax hikes sought by liberal lawmakers searching for additional federal revenue. That reality should drive Kansans to the polls in November, he said.

"The industry is in peril," he told oil and gas industry operatives. "You are up against a tough challenge."

Brownback said the GOP strategy should be to claim Republican majorities in the House and Senate and to then block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from advancing regulations harmful to coal, oil and gas producers.

Jenkins, seeking re-election in the 2nd District, said Republicans' numerical disadvantage in both chambers required GOP members to remain unified or risk being overpowered by Democrats. In the House, she said, Republicans start most controversial policy debates about 75 votes down to Democrats.

"I'm so proud to be an obstructionist," she said. "That takes talent."

She said arrogant Democratic leaders, especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were pushing health care, banking, energy and tax reforms that added to the country's economic paralysis. If Republicans win back the House in November, she said, it would be unfair for lame-duck Democrats to press ahead with an agenda rejected by voters.

"When you get fired from your job, you should be escorted to the door," she said.

Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., were invited to the 73rd annual KIOGA convention in Wichita, but scheduling conflicts prevented them from attending.

Tim Carpenter can be reached at (785) 295-1158 or timothy.carpenter@cjonline.com.