Energy County's Lobbyist Admits Coal Bailout Bills "Maybe" a "Wrong to Fix a Wrong"

This week, taxpayers got some good news. The $500+ million coal bailout package is now roughly half that price - at least for now.

Senators decided to remove the $250 million in new bonded debt from HB 1431 and passed the bill exactly as the House passed it, to avoid a Conference Committee fight. However, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner had previously gone on the record saying that money could end up in a different bill, such as the OMB Budget bill.

So this is a temporary win for those who oppose the state taking on debt (paid for by Legacy Fund earnings) to bailout the coal industry.

Conservative Legislator Accused of being "not pro-coal" for not supporting bailout?

To illustrate how strange this issue is, State Representative Rick Becker on his TV show this week read an email from someone who said they were were told Becker is not pro-coal due to o…