Public Campaign Action Fund - Don Young

More on the "A Team"

Adam Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:24:52 -0500

Yesterday, Katie pointed to an "intern guide" leaked out of Rep. Don Young's (R-AK) office. The guide listed an "A Team" of lobbyists who were to be given access to any Young staff member they wanted. It's no real surprise that these same lobbyists are donating to Young's campaign.

Young's "A Team"

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:33:00 -0500

Lobbyists who gave thousands to Rep. Don Young (R-AK) over the course of his career were on an "A Team" granted special access to Young and his staff, according to an unofficial "survival guide" for interns in Young's office obtained by The Hill. In addition to explaining the preferences and quirks of Rep. Young and his wife, the guide lists the lobbyists who were given access to any staff member they wanted.

Protecting the Young

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:32:39 -0500

On the one hand, three cheers for investigations into lawmakers abusing their positions to reward themselves and their contributions, on the other hand thumbs down for recent court rulings that are deterring public corruption investigations in favor of granting special privacy privileges to members of Congress. Go the Politico for more on the Rep. Don Young (R-AK) earmark controversy and the Speech and Debate clause that might save him.

Institute Change

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:06:35 -0500

Ray Metcalfe writes at the Alaska Report that the state is the victim of "institutionalized corruption" on the part of its legislators that has put money in the pockets of a few, at the expense of honest public servants. The Goodfellas poster mock-up is pretty funny.

A Crab in Every Coffer

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:41:10 -0500

I am shocked -- shocked! -- to discover that concerns have been raised that an obscure earmark Alaska Rep. Don Young (R) inserted into a fishery regulation bill was designed to benefit three of his campaign contributors. Three fishing companies, Yardarm Knot, Blue Dutch, and Trident Seafoods may turn a handy profit off the earmark that gives them new crabbing rights in the Bering Sea.

In One Earmark, Out the Other

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:01:56 -0500

Not a good day for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) in the press. The Anchorage Daily News digs into him for a long history of taking generous campaign contributions from interests for whom he earmarked millions upon millions in federal money.

You're on Crooked Camera

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:16:51 -0500

The Alaska bribery scandal makes the front page of the Washington Post today in a story that includes several colorful excerpts from the secret taping of VECO Chairman Bill Allen's conversations with Alaska legislators -- like this, uh, candid admission from convicted Rep. Pete Kott about working against a bill opposed by oil interests: "I had to cheat, steal, beg, borrow and lie. [...] Exxon's happy. BP's happy. I'll sell my soul to the devil."

Face Time and Fundraisers

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:19:36 -0500

Congress is in recess for August and members have headed home. While that may mean fewer Martinis & Moneyclips fundraisers at DC watering holes, it's now time for a slate of in-district fundraising events. And Alaskan legislators -- tainted as they may be by allegations that money swayed their votes and priorities -- aren't going to miss out on the fun. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) are out there catching fish, burning pigs, and offering time for money.

It's Thursday, Alaska Lawmaker Probably In Trouble

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:46:12 -0500

Is the Alaska congressional delegation having a Corrupter Than Thou competition or what? TPMmuckraker just unearthed this gem: Rep. Don Young (R-AK) bent/fractured/broke Congressional rules to change an earmark in a donor's favor once it had already been approved by Congress. Using a opportunity to make copy edits to language in the bill, Young altered language to benefit Daniel Aronoff, who'd just hosted a fundraiser for Young.

Scandal's Northern Exposure

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:29:34 -0500

That's it, I want the FBI to raid MY home. All the cool kids are having the contents of their desks carried out in evidence bags, and I want in on the fun. Sen. Ted Stevens' Girdwood, Alaska home was picked over by federal investigators yesterday for documents related to the Senator's dealing with Veco, the oil services company tied to a scheme to bribe Alaskan legislators.