#NCSEN: Interesting correlation between Tillis comments, fundraising
On September 14, state House speaker and US Senate candidate Thom Tillis made news at a GOP picnic in Wilmington:
North Carolina State Representative and Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis spoke at a picnic for Republicans Saturday at Snow’s Cut Park. Tillis is challenging Senator Kay Hagan, a Democrat, as she runs for re-election in the 2014 race.
Tillis weighed in on North Carolina’s film incentive program which is set to expire at the end of next year.
“I believe the film industry is critical to Wilmington, it’s critical in Charlotte, it’s growing in Asheville. We’ve got to figure out a way to make sure that North Carolina’s competitive. I think there’s a way to continue to move forward with tax reform but make absolutely certain that North Carolina is the go-to place for the film industry for productions and all the other good jobs that come with it,” said Tillis.
Tillis said he believes lawmakers will vote to extend the program when the legislature heads back for the short session next year.
(As speaker, Thom Tillis has A LOT of say in what makes it to the House floor, and what DOES NOT.)
Keep that date and those comments in mind. That SAME MONTH, money from film industry figures — coincedentally, I’m sure — began flowing into the Tillis for Senate campaign coffers.
On September 30, Mr.Chris James Cooney , COO of EUE / Screen Gems, and a resident of Chappaqua, New York, donated $2600 to the Tillis campaign. On that same date, Sharon Cooney, with EUE / Screen Gems’ PR & Marketing shop, and a resident of Lantana, Florida, donated $2600 to the Tillis campaign.
On that same date, George K. Cooney, a resident of Bronxville, New York and CEO of EUE / Screen Gems, made two donations of $2600 each to the Tillis campaign. Also on that date, Jeffrey Cooney, a Bronxville, New York resident and producer-creative director with EUE / Screen Gems, made two donations to the Tillis campaign worth $2600 each.
(There was at least one more out-of-state Cooney who made sizeable donations to the Tillis campaign. It is unclear if he is tied to EUE / Screen Gems or is even related to the other Cooneys IDed here. On September 30, John T. Cooney, of Boulder, Colorado, made two donations worth $2600 each to the Tillis campaign.)
On September 25, Mr. Jean-Paul Dame, president of Fire Horse Films, Inc., and a Raleigh resident, donated $2600 to the Tillis campaign.
It all goes to show that Tilli$ cares nothing about political principles, and it is indeed doubtful that he even has any. He is nothing but s front man for the special interests, whom he prostitutes himself to at every turn.
Tilli$ is the antithesis of Senator Jesse Helms who once occupied this Senate seat. Jesse put principle above all other considerations.
Another good example is Tilli$ being the water boy for big Ag, pushing through legislation to gut the e-Verify requirements that keep illegal aliens from competing with citizens for jobs and tried to get drivers licenses for illegal aliens. He also told Big Ag that he is for ”a pathway to citizenship” (a.k.a. Amnesty) for illegal aliens.
You can understand why Karl Rove is supporting Tillis.
I agree Raphael – I dont see much indication that Tillis has much in the way of “principles”, and if he does have some deep in there somewhere… they evidently dont match up well with any that I hold 🙂 (Your Big Ag/E-verify point is definitely another fine example).
He’s quite boldly a simple cronyist, and just like many Democrats, is quite comfortable handing out and serving preferred special interests. That’s not at all what government is for, and electing him would be a shame.
Glad to see you standing on the side of ethics and integrity. I don’t often find myself agreeing with views expressed on DH, but I have long admired your willingness to stand on principles.
http://www.bluenc.com/i-dont-see-tillis-has-much-way-principles