Tenn Ctr for Policy Research

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</div><div class="field-item even">SEE DREW JOHNSON invented eco-hypocrite kinda limosine liberal, elitist</div><div class="field-item even"></div><div class="field-item even">MADE HIS BONES ON</div>

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It is, apparently, impossible to satisfy the public appetite for gotcha journalism - a point of some satisfaction to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php">Tennessee Centre for Policy Research</a> .

Although you likely never heard of the TCPR before February 26, 2007, you may have heard since that the "independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization" was the source of a story about Al Gore's personal energy consumption. According to the TCPR <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367">news release</a> - fired out, coincidentally, the day after Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth won an Oscar - the Gore family home in Nashville consumes energy at a rate equivalent to roughly 20 times the national average.

Gore's defence, that he has been purchasing "green energy" that is carbon neutral, was not part of the TCPR release, nor is it of much interest to Drew Johnson, the articulate young president of the TCPR (inset photo). In an interview earlier today, Johnson said the TCPR cares mostly about public hypocrisy. The TCPR's usual target is Republican politicians who call themselvs fiscal conservatives but spend an inordinate amount of time raising taxes and running up deficits. This, Johnson said, is the TCPR's first real attack on a "left-wing" target.

As for Gore's green energy response, Johnson said that Gore was only covering about one-quarter of his energy usage with a carbon-neutral supply, and that he had only begun buying green energy last December, even though the program had been in place for more than a year. The TCPR president also pointed out that Gore made the green energy purchase "about the time he was nominated for the Academy Award when he would have known that he was going to face greater scrutiny." (It's an interpretation that seems to challenge Johnson's claim of being non-partisan.)

The TCPR's "gotcha" was greeted with a howls of delight by Gore's detractors and a savage snarl by the former vice-president's supporters. Gore's political opponents have used the issue to distract people from the essential truth of his message: that climate change is a real and pressing problem.

Gore supporters have launched an imperfect defence, for example by reporting that his energy consumption is only 13 times the national average. And the most mindless Gore fans responded with a rudely abusive <a target="blank" href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/files/pdf/emails.pdf">attack</a> on the TCPR, which has given the <a target="blank" href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=20145">right-wing media an opportunity to keep spinning the story</a>. (Note to good guys: Get a grip.)

Looking back on this as a piece of Carl Rovish trouble-making, it's a clean kill. The charge was largely true in its carefully chosen detail and perfectly timed to do maximum damage. It gave partisans an opportunity to laugh at Gore (who has been overwhelmingly effective on this issue), and it gave the rabid left an opportunity to bloody its own nose. As for the previously low-profile TCPR, before this release, the largest number of visitors to the TCPR website was about 10,000 a day. On Feb. 27, they got 1.7 million hits and they have been running an average of 40,000 a day since. And you can bet that the young Mr. Johnson will have an easier time bumping up into his next think tank position, wherever he chooses to go.

It would be good to try to pin all this on Exxon Mobil, and <a target="_blank" href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/02/28/an-inconveniently-easy-headline-gores-electric-bills-spark-debate/">some people have</a> . They have pointed out that Johnson cut his think-tank teeth working at the American Enterprise Institute. That's one of ExMo's favourites, getting as much as $1.6 million in Exxon funding and featuring former ExMo CEO Lee Raymond as Chair of its Board. But Johnson said he was an unpaid intern when he worked at AEI, "They certainly didn't give any of that money to me." He also said that TCPR gets no funding from energy sources and has no specific brief, or beef, on climate change.

The truth, here, is that this is a Red Team/Blue Team issue (which makes the climate change conversation so much more difficult in the U.S.). Johnson calls himself politically non-partisan politically and, on climate change, he says, "The jury is still out as far as I'm concerned."

Those two statements don't scan. Johnson is obviously a very intelligent young man; he's got a Masters in Public Policy from Pepperdine. Given recent coverage of the IPCC report - given the fact that even Exxon acknowledges human-caused climate change as an undeniable truth - it would take a special kind of partisan fervour to remain "undecided" about global warming.

So, this isn't about hypocrisy. No reasonable person would truly expect Al Gore to walk away from his family home and start living the life of an Indian hermit in order to speak credibly and passionately about the most pressing environmental issue of our time. We could all do better; that's part of the challenge.

This was about scoring political points on a day when Gore was flying high. And, call it a cheap shot if you will, it was irritatingly effective.

It also put me in mind of a sign that hung in the kitchen at the then-very small David Suzuki Foundation about 10 or 12 years ago. It was a top 10 sign, listing the things we do as good environmentalists. The first nine items were all pretty predictable: we recycle, we eat organic products, we walk or cycle to avoid driving unnecessarily ... the usual.

But number 10 caught me off guard: "We shine our halos with biodegradable polish." Who knew environmentalists had a sense of humour?

Seriously, though, it was a funny but pointed reminder that, by trying to speak up for something we believe to be true, we make ourselves a target. Gore has done that in spades. He has stood before the whole world and urged us to come to grips with an issue of global importance.

This petty piece criticism demonstrates that, in doing so, Al Gore has unsettled some very powerful and otherwise very comfortable people.

Good.

So criticize if you want. Giggle up a storm at Al's expense. But face it: he's right and he's trying to do the right thing.

What's your excuse?

wiki cites nat rev on death threats but no specific evidence

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=<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/">https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/</a><h1 id="h-the-beacon-center-of-tennessee" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> Beacon Center of Tennessee 5 22</h1><h2 id="h-background" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Background</h2><a href="https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Beacon_Center_of_Tennessee" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">The Beacon Center of Tennessee (BCT)</a> is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20191212214334/https://www.beacontn.org/our-story" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">describes itself as</a> “providing expert empirical research and timely free market solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee.” <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s1" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[1]</a>The Center was originally founded as the Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR) in 2004 by <a href="https://www.desmog.com/drew-johnson" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Drew Johnson</a>. Johnson <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20110808143704/http://nashvillepost.com/taxonomy/term/18323" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">left his position as president </a>at the end of 2009.<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s2" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> [2]</a>, <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s3" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[3]</a>Before founding TCPR, Johnson was a policy analyst at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. He was a former senior fellow at the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/institute-humane-studies-george-mason-university" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Koch-backed Institute for Humane Studies</a>.<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s2" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[2]</a>The Center is a member of the Koch-funded <a href="https://www.desmog.com/state-policy-network" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">State Policy Network</a>, a group of state-level think tanks promoting conservative policy.<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s4" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> [4]</a><h2 id="h-stance-on-climate-change" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Stance on Climate Change</h2>October 4, 2010The Tennessee Center for Policy Research released a report titled “<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20191214192413/http://www.beacontn.org/wp-content/uploads/Cap-Trade-A-Lame-Duck-Proposal.pdf" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Cap & Trade: A Lame (Duck) Proposal</a>” that suggested CO2 and climate change may not be correlated, referring to “tens of thousands of scientists” signing petitions as evidence (this likely refers to the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/oregon-petition" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">debunked Oregon Petition</a>).<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s5" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> [5]</a>The study further suggests that scientists are biased because they often do their research at universities, which receive government funding. Below is its introduction:<blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; position: relative; margin-top: 10px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">“Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a three atom molecule that humans produce with every exhale. Over the past decade, the belief has been propagated that excessive CO2 in the atmosphere leads to intense global warming that, if continued unabated, would cause glaciers to melt, rising the seas and engulfing coastal cities from San Francisco to New York. Despite tens of thousands of scientists signing petitions and stating their cases against the correlation between CO2 and rising temperatures, the link has been advocated by politicians and celebrities alike. Many of global warming’s supporters have no background in science and have convinced others of the CO2-global warming relationship without adequate proof. Even as people begin to realize that these ideas lack credibility, as evidenced by the change in terminology from ‘global warming’ to ‘climate change,’ politicians have continued to propose legislation to limit CO2 emissions.Perhaps it is important to address how some have come to the idea that limiting CO2 will have a positive impact on the environment. To reach this conclusion, one much first accept that global temperatures are rising, that human activity is responsible for the rise, and that limiting carbon emissions will alleviate this global warming. Many feel that limiting carbon emissions is a function that can only be performed by government. However, one should examine what types of interests would benefit from carbon emission limitations. Environmental groups have a bias towards findings of environmental damage and often rely on university research to endorse their claims. Research universities are predominantly funded by government, and in order to continue receiving grant funds, have an incentive to produce research that supports ideas maintained by government officials, such as the connection between CO2 and global warming. Intervention follows as a way to expand the federal government’s control over a large swath of the economy.”</blockquote>2008–2009In 2009, Mother Jones magazine<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2009/12/dirty-dozen-climate-change-denial-04-tennessee-center-policy-research/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> listed TCPR among the “Dirty Dozen of Climate Change Denial,</a>” a list of the “12 loudest members of the chorus claiming that global warming is a joke and that CO2 emissions are actually good for you.” <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s6" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[6]</a>At the time, TCPR was running the website “<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20100630134911/http://www.carnivalofclimatechange.com/blog_main/content.php?content_id=5" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Carnival of Climate Change</a>,” which described itself as “a portal for bloggers who write on topics critical of current climate change alarmism and who question unsubstantiated discussions on global warming.” <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s6" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[6]</a>, <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s7" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[7]</a>The Carnival website promoted climate change denial blogs and groups such as <a href="https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Steve_McIntyre" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Climate Audit,</a> Greenie Watch, <a href="https://www.desmog.com/international-climate-and-environmental-change-assessment-project" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">ICECAP</a>, the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/new-zealand-climate-science-coalition" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">New Zealand Climate Science Coalition</a>, <a href="https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Anthony_Watts" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Watts Up With That</a>, the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/world-climate-report" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">World Climate Report</a>, <a href="https://www.desmog.com/center-study-carbon-dioxide-and-global-change" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">CO2 Science</a>, the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/science-and-public-policy-institute" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Science and Public Policy Institute</a>, among others. <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s7" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[7]</a>December 13, 2009Drew Johnson, founder and president of the Center from 2004 to 2009, wrote the following in an article titled “<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20191212222226/https://www.beacontn.org/climate-change-cures-are-worse-than-the-illness/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Climate Change ‘Cures’ are Worse than the Illness</a>” at the Tennessean: <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s8" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[8]</a><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; position: relative; margin-top: 10px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">“If the Earth’s temperature is changing in unnatural and unusual ways, and those climate oddities are, in part, a result of human activity, would taking radical steps that result in demolishing the economy of the developed world and the loss of millions of human lives in developing nations be worth reducing the Earth’s temperature a fraction of a degree? Most reasonable people would say no. Given the exaggerations of the problems and the dangers of the policy remedies, it is clear that government solutions to climate change are a medicine far worse than the illness.”</blockquote><h2 id="h-funding" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Funding</h2><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2009/12/dirty-dozen-climate-change-denial-04-tennessee-center-policy-research/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">In a 2009 interview</a>, Drew Johnson claimed TCPR had never taken any money from energy interests.<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s6" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[6]</a>According to<a href="http://conservativetransparency.org/org/beacon-center-of-tennessee/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> data from the Conservative Transparency project</a>, combined with review of original 990 forms by DeSmog, the Beacon Center has received more than $100,000 from the Charles Koch Foundation. The Koch family made their fortune from the oil refining business through <a href="https://www.desmog.com/koch-industries-inc" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Koch Industries</a> and its many subsidiary companies.<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s9" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> [9]</a>Over $1.8 million of the Center’s funding came from Donors Capital Fund and its sister organization DonorsTrust—together described as the “<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/donors-trust-donor-capital-fund-dark-money-koch-bradley-devos/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">dark money ATM of the conservative movement</a>” due to their ability to obscure the original sources of donations. <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s10" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[10]</a>See the full data below, or download the full spreadsheet outlining the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/wp-content/uploads/files/Beacon%20Center%20of%20Tennessee%20Funding%202019.xlsx" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Beacon Center of Tennessee’s funding by year (.xslx)</a>:no lnxSee the full data below, or download the full spreadsheet outlining the Beacon Center of Tennessee’s funding by year (.xslx):
Donor 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Grand TotalDonors Capital Fund $50,000 $125,000 $260,000 $345,000 $200,000 $105,000 $137,000 $57,500 $42,250 $439,700 $77,200 $1,838,650Walton Family Foundation $75,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 $325,000Friedman Foundation For Educational Choice $140,000 $76,000 $55,000 $271,000The Roe Foundation $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $235,000John Templeton Foundation $193,280 $193,280State Policy Network $10,000 $80,000 $50,350 $140,350Charles Koch Foundation $57,500 $50,000 $107,500DonorsTrust $6,000 $32,500 $25,290 $39,500 $103,290Thomas W Smith Foundation $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $75,000Atlas Economic Research Foundation $40,000 $40,000Jaquelin Hume Foundation $15,000 $18,750 $33,750Adolph Coors Foundation $25,000 $25,000National Philanthropic Trust $5,000 $10,000 $10,000 $25,000Americans for Prosperity $10,000 $10,000Castle Rock Foundation $10,000 $10,000National Christian Charitable Foundation $2,500 $2,500Grand Total $50,000 $151,000 $300,000 $403,750 $252,500 $105,000 $382,000 $127,500 $330,750 $732,980 $295,340 $254,500 $50,000 $3,435,320990 Forms]Key PeopleBoard of DirectorsName 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 DescriptionJohn Cerasuolo Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Chairman of the Board of DirectorsLarry White Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsJoe Scarlett Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Vice-Chairman of the Board of DirectorsPat Shepherd Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsKen Meyer Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsBrian Fitzpatrick Y Y Member of the Board of Directors Fred DeCosimo Y Member of the Board of DirectorsRaul Lopez Y Member of the Board of DirectorsTina Benkiser Y Member of the Board of DirectorsLee Beaman Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsDavid Johnson Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsJim Ethier Y Y Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsLauren Templeton Y Y Y Member of the Board of DirectorsCarl Kirkland Y Chairman Emeritus, Kirklands Jason A. Johnson Y Y Y Y PresidentMartha Fouce Y Y Y Y SecretaryShaka L.A. Mitchell Y Y Executive Vice PresidentClint Brewer Y Interim Executive DirectorStaffName 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 DescriptionJustin Owen Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y President & CEOSuzanne Michel Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Director of OperationsMark Cunningham Y Y Y Y Y Y Vice President of Communications and Outreach Braden H. Boucek Y Y Y Y Y Vice President of Legal AffairsJoe Kirkpatrick Y Y Y Development AssociateRon Shultis Y Y Director of Policy and ResearchStephanie Whitt Y Y Executive Vice PresidentJamie McPherson Y Vice President of DevelopmentMeggan DeWitt Y Staff AttorneyTaylor Dawson Y Director of Outreach and Digital MediaSam Cosby Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Director of DevelopmentLindsay Boyd Y Y Y Y Director of PolicyHannah Cox Y Y Outreach CoordinatorTrey Moore Y Director of PolicyChristopher Butler Y Y Director of Government AccountabilityRyan Turbeville Y Y Policy & Outreach CoordinatorCarter Meadors Y Y Director of DevelopmentClint Brewer Y Interim Executive DirectorDrew Johnson Y Y Y PresidentGeorge Shifflett Y Y Research AssociateDevon Klein Y Policy Research AssociateLauren Biekman Y Policy Research AssociateNatalia Kowalski Y Government Accountability AnalystPaige McKenzie Y Manager of Tennessee VotesReed Johnson Y Policy Research AssociateShaka L.A. Mitchell Y Executive Vice PresidentTrent Seibert Y Y Director of Government AccountabilityAdam J. King Y Policy AnalystMelanie Bull Y Research AssociateMichael Lumley Y Research AssociateWesley Rainer Y Research AssociateDaniel Phillips Y Research FellowDouglas Kurdziel Y Research FellowKellie Garretson Y Administrative AssistantLuci Stephens Y Research FellowNicole Williams Y Vice President of OperationsTrapper Michael Y Research FellowTroy Senik Y Research FellowScholarsName 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 DescriptionRichard Grant Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Distinguished FellowArt Carden Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Distinguished FellowDonna Barrett Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Distinguished FellowHarold Black Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Distinguished FellowPaul Stumb Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Distinguished FellowJeff Cornwall Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Distinguished FellowJonathan Butcher Y Y Y Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Education ReformPatrick Gleason Y Y Y Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Tax PolicyNaomi Lopez Bauman Y Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Healthcare ReformAdam Peshek Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Education ReformBen Stickle Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Criminal JusticeJulie Warren Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Criminal JusticeMichael LaFaive Y Y Y Senior Fellow for Economic DevelopmentDan Smith Y Y Senior Fellow for Fiscal and Regulatory Policy Lindsay Boyd Killen Y Y Senior FellowDavid L. Harbin Y Senior Legal FellowJoe Coletti Y Senior Fellow for Local FinanceJason Edmonds Y Y Y Carter and Moyers Research FellowJared Meyer Y Y Senior Fellow for the New EconomyScott Drenkard Y Y Senior Fellow for Tax PolicyBen Clark Y Y Carter-Moyers Research FellowAllyn Milojevich Y Y Y Research FellowAmy H. Sturgis Y Y Y Y Belmont UniversityCharles Van Eaton Y Y Y Y Bryan CollegeDale Bails Y Y Y Y Christian Brothers UniversityJ.R. Clark Y Y Y Y University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaJohn Stone Y Y Y Y Education Consumers ClearinghouseMarilyn Young Y Y Y Y Belmont UniversityRobert Berry Y Y Y Y PATMOS EmergiClinicSally Kilgore Y Y Y Y Modern Red Schoolhouse InstituteJ.C. Bowman Y Y Y Florida State UniversityMartin D. Kennedy Y Y Y Middle Tennessee State UniversityShaka L.A. Mitchell Y Y Executive Vice PresidentLarry M. Hall Y Belmont UniversityActions October 4, 2010The Tennessee Center for Policy Research released a Policy Report describing cap and trade as a “<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20191214192413/http://www.beacontn.org/wp-content/uploads/Cap-Trade-A-Lame-Duck-Proposal.pdf" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Lame (Duck) Proposal</a>.” <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s5" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[5]</a>“Rather than harm the economy with extensive regulation, the government should support strong property rights for individuals and an efficient tort system so that those with violated property rights will have access to compensation,” the report suggested. <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s5" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[5]</a>As noted above, the report also suggests scientists should not be trusted because they work at universities that have received government funding. Rather, it suggests the reader should listen to “ tens of thousands of scientists signing petitions.” While the document does not specify which petitions it refers to, it would likely be referring to the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/oregon-petition" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Oregon Petition</a>, a document organized by the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/oregon-institute-science-and-medicine" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine,</a> along with the <a href="https://www.desmog.com/exxons-3-million-ventriloquist-act" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Exxon-backed</a> <a href="https://www.desmog.com/george-c-marshall-institute" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">George C. Marshall Institute</a>, to gather signatories without limiting them to those with backgrounds in climate science (<a href="http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980501&slug=2748308" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">or even people with real names</a>).<h2 id="h-related-organizations" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Related Organizations</h2><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.desmog.com/state-policy-network" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">State Policy Network (SPN) </a>—<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20191213215702/https://spn.org/organization/beacon-center-of-tennessee/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;"> Member</a>. <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s4" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[4]</a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.desmog.com/talent-market" target="blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Talent Market </a>— <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=political_and_issue_ads&country=ALL&impression_search_field=has_impressions_lifetime&q=Beacon%20Center" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Client</a>. Talent market is a recruiting agency for conservative nonprofit groups. <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s11" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[11]</a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent;">Tennessee Watchdog — <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20100412194304/http://tennessee.watchdog.org/about/" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Former publication of the TCPR</a>. The website is no longer online. [<a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s12" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">12]</a></li></ul><h2 id="h-contact-address" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Contact & Address</h2><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20191214193349/https://www.beacontn.org/contact" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none; font-weight: 500;">Beacon Center of Tennessee</a> <a href="https://www.desmog.com/beacon-center-of-tennessee/#s13" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">[13]</a> P.O. Box 198646, Nashville, TN 37219 615-383-6431<a href="https://www.beacontn.org/" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Beacontn.org</a><h2 id="h-social-media" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Social Media</h2><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent;"><a href="https://twitter.com/BeaconTN" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">@BeaconTN</a> on Twitter</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeaconTN/" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Beacon Center of Tennessee on Facebook</a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/beaconcenterofTN" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none; box-shadow: none;">Beacon Center of Tennessee on YouTube</a></li></ul><h2 id="h-resources" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Resources</h2><div>...</div>=

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/gorehome.asp

<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading">Beacon Center of Tennessee</h1>

<div id="contentSub">(Redirected from <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research&redirect=no" title="Tennessee Center for Policy Research">Tennessee Center for Policy Research</a>)</div>

Jump to: <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#mw-head">navigation</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#p-search">search</a>

</div>

The Beacon Center of Tennessee (BCT, formerly the Tennessee Center for Policy Research) describes itself as "an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to providing concerned citizens, the media and public leaders with expert research and timely free market policy solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee." <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=27">[1]</a>

BCT is part of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/State_Policy_Network" title="State Policy Network">State Policy Network</a>.</div></div>

<h1>About Us</h1><a id="whoweare" name="whoweare">

The mission of the Beacon Center of Tennessee is to change lives through public policy. The Beacon Center, founded as the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization dedicated to providing concerned citizens, the media and public leaders with expert empirical research and timely free market policy solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee.</a>

The Beacon Center promotes personal freedom and limited government through policy solutions that:

<ul>

<li>Generate economic growth through reduced tax and regulatory burdens on individuals and businesses</li>

<li>Create unmatched educational opportunity by empowering parents, students and teachers with choices and opportunities</li>

<li>Advance healthcare solutions that restore dignity and encourage personal responsibility</li>

<li>Identify opportunities to reduce cost and increase efficiency in all levels of government</li>

<li>Reflect the Founding Fathers’ vision of a free society grounded in property rights and individual liberty based in personal responsibility</li>

</ul>

The Beacon Center generates and encourages public policy remedies grounded in the capacity of private enterprise, the ingenuity of individuals and the abilities of active communities to achieve a freer, more prosperous Tennessee.

Board of Directors</a></h2>

<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/john-cerasuolo-chairman-of-the-board-of-directors/">John Cerasuolo</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/john-cerasuolo-chairman-of-the-board-of-directors/">, Chairman</a>

President & CEO, ADS Security

<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/joe-scarlett-member-of-the-board-of-directors/" target="self">Joe Scarlett, </a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/joe-scarlett-member-of-the-board-of-directors/" target="self">Vice-Chairman</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/joe-scarlett-member-of-the-board-of-directors/" target="_self">

</a>Retired Chairman, Tractor Supply Co.

Founder, Scarlett Leadership Institute

<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2006/11/lee-beaman-member-of-the-board-of-directors/">Lee Beaman

</a>Owner, Beaman Automotive Group

<a href="http://www.beacontn.org/?p=2415"> Jim Ethier

</a>Chairman, Bush Brothers & Co.

<a href="http://www.beacontn.org/carl-kirkland-member-of-the-board-of-directors/">Carl Kirkland</a>

Chairman Emeritus, Kirklands 

<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/?p=2106" target="_blank">Pat Shepherd

</a>Senior Managing Partner, Avondale Partners

</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/larry-white-member-of-the-board-of-directors/" target="_self">Larry White

</a>Retired CFO, CBRL Group, Inc.

Staff & Scholars</a>

<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/justin-owen-director-of-policy-general-counsel/" style="">Justin Owen, President & CEO</a>

<a href="http://www.beacontn.org/2005/04/sam-cosby-development-manager/" style="">Sam Cosby, </a><a href="http://www.beacontn.org/2005/04/sam-cosby-development-manager/" style="">Development Manager

</a><a href="http://www.beacontn.org/?p=2754" target="_blank" style="">Suzanne Michel, Director of Administration

</a><a href="http://www.beacontn.org/2005/07/trey-moore-director-of-policy/" style="">Trey Moore, </a><a href="http://www.beacontn.org/2005/07/trey-moore-director-of-policy/" style="">Director of Policy</a>

<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/allyn-milojevich-research-fellow/" target="_blank" style="">Allyn Milojevich, </a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/05/allyn-milojevich-research-fellow/" style="">Research Fellow

</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/donna-barrett-senior-fellow/" target="blank" style="">The Honorable Donna Barrett</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/donna-barrett-senior-fellow/" style="">, </a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/donna-barrett-senior-fellow/" target="blank" style="">Senior Fellow

</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/harold-black-senior-fellow/" target="_blank" style="">Dr. Harold Black, </a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/harold-black-senior-fellow/" style="">Senior Fellow

</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/art-carden-senior-fellow/" target="_blank" style="">Dr. Art Carden,</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/art-carden-senior-fellow/" style="">Senior Fellow

</a><a href="http://www.beacontn.org/dr-jeff-cornwall-senior-fellow/" target="blank" style="">Dr. Jeff Cornwall</a><a href="http://www.beacontn.org/dr-jeff-cornwall-senior-fellow/" target="blank" style="">, Senior Fellow

</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/richard-grant-senior-fellow/" target="_blank" style="">Dr. Richard Grant,</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/richard-grant-senior-fellow/" style="">Senior Fellow

</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/paul-stumb-senior-fellow/" target="_blank" style="">Dr. Paul Stumb</a><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/2004/04/paul-stumb-senior-fellow/" style="">, Senior Fellow</a>

</div>

===

SW

Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR) describes itself as "an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to providing concerned citizens, the media and public leaders with expert research and timely free market policy solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee." <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=27" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=27" rel="nofollow">[1]</a>

TCPR is part of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=State_Policy_Network" title="State Policy Network">State Policy Network</a>.

TCPR has emerged as a government watchdog, taking both Republicans and Democrats to task for pork spending <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=488&cat=10" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=488&cat=10" rel="nofollow">[2]</a>, for ethical breaches <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/sep/16/his-hunting-haven/" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/sep/16/his-hunting-haven/" rel="nofollow">[3]</a> and for not disclosing information that might show conflicts-of-interest. <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS0201/709270393/1001/RSS01" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS0201/709270393/1001/RSS01" rel="nofollow">[4]</a>

Additionally, in an internal e-mail sent by a staffer at the Tennessee Department of Revenue, TCPR was described as "not a legitimate organization" in an effort to deny the group public information. <a href="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=54656" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=54656" rel="nofollow">[5]</a> The Tennessee Department of Revenue was taken to task for this statement. Indeed, one Tennessee newspaper accused officials at the Department of Revnue of "Byzantine logic," in trying to keep tax information from TCPR and the public. <a href="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=54683" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=54683" rel="nofollow">[6]</a><table id="toc" class="toc" summary="Contents"><tbody><tr><td>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Staff_.26_Scholars">1 Staff & Scholars</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Staff">1.1 Staff</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Scholars">1.2 Scholars</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Links">2 Links</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Funding">3 Funding</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Corporation">4 Corporation</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Ties_to_the_Franklin_Center_for_Government_and_Public_Integrity">5 Ties to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Funding_2">5.1 Funding</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Website">6 Website</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Contact_Information">7 Contact Information</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Articles_and_Resources">8 Articles and Resources</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Sources">8.1 Sources</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#Other_SourceWatch_Resources">8.2 Other SourceWatch Resources</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#External_links">8.3 External links</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2>Staff & Scholars</h2>

According to TCPR's <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=33" class="external text" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=33" rel="nofollow">website</a>, the following are staff and scholars:

<h3>Staff</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson" title="Drew Johnson">Drew Johnson</a>, President</li>

<li>Kellie Garretson, Administrative Assistant</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Trent_Seibert&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Trent Seibert (page does not exist)">Trent Seibert</a>, Director of Government Accountability (<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=363" class="external text" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=363" rel="nofollow">bio</a>)</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Nicole_Williams&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Nicole Williams (page does not exist)">Nicole Williams</a>, Vice President of Operations (<a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=308" class="external text" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=308" rel="nofollow">bio</a>)</li>

<li>Douglas Kurdziel, Research Fellow</li>

<li>Trapper Michael, Research Fellow</li>

<li>Daniel Phillips, Research Fellow</li>

<li>Troy Senik, Research Fellow</li>

<li>Luci Stephens, Research Fellow</li>

</ul>

<h3>Scholars</h3>

<ul>

<li>Dale Bails, PhD, Christian Brothers University</li>

<li>Robert Berry, MD, PATMOS EmergiClinic</li>

<li>J.C. Bowman, PhD, Florida State University</li>

<li>J.R. Clark, PhD, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga</li>

<li>Larry M. Hall, PhD, Belmont University</li>

<li>Martin D. Kennedy, PhD, Middle Tennessee State University</li>

<li>Sally Kilgore, PhD, Modern Red Schoolhouse Institute</li>

<li>Shaka L.A. Mitchell, JD, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Institute_for_Justice" title="Institute for Justice">Institute for Justice</a></li>

<li>John Stone, PhD, Education Consumers Clearinghouse</li>

<li>Amy H. Sturgis, PhD, Belmont University</li>

<li>Charles Van Eaton, PhD, Bryan College</li>

<li>Marilyn Young, PhD, Belmont University</li>

</ul>

<h2>Links</h2>

Links from TCPR's website include the following <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Right-wing" title="Right-wing">right-wing</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Libertarian" title="Libertarian" class="mw-redirect">libertarian</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Think_tank" title="Think tank" class="mw-redirect">think tanks</a>: <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=5" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/page.php?page_id=5" rel="nofollow">[7]</a>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Enterprise_Institute" title="American Enterprise Institute">American Enterprise Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Cato_Institute" title="Cato Institute">Cato Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Center_for_Public_Integrity" title="Center for Public Integrity">Center for Public Integrity</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Competitive_Enterprise_Institute" title="Competitive Enterprise Institute">Competitive Enterprise Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fraser_Institute" title="Fraser Institute">Fraser Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Heartland_Institute" title="Heartland Institute">Heartland Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Heritage_Foundation" title="Heritage Foundation">Heritage Foundation</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Independence_Institute" title="Independence Institute">Independence Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Independent_Institute" title="Independent Institute">Independent Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Manhattan_Institute" title="Manhattan Institute" class="mw-redirect">Manhattan Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Center_for_Policy_Analysis" title="National Center for Policy Analysis">National Center for Policy Analysis</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Pacific_Research_Institute" title="Pacific Research Institute">Pacific Research Institute</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Reason_Foundation" title="Reason Foundation">Reason Foundation</a></li>

</ul>

<h2>Funding</h2>

The TCPR is a non-profit <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=501%28c%29%283%29" title="501(c)(3)">501(c)(3)</a> organization but does not disclose the sources of funding on its website. In its 2005 annual IRS return for 2005, TCPR states that its total income was $104,908 with expenditure of $76,673. <a href="http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2005/201/808/2005-201808567-0292e8b5-9.pdf" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2005/201/808/2005-201808567-0292e8b5-9.pdf" rel="nofollow">[8]</a> (Pdf)

<h2>Corporation</h2>

The "Tennessee Center for Policy Research, 1606 Burton Avenue, #A, Nashville, 37215, Jason A. Johnson" is found among the Legal Listings for New Corporations <a href="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=51&screen=news&news_id=41058" class="external text" title="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=51&screen=news&news_id=41058" rel="nofollow">posted</a> by The [Nashville, TN] City Paper Online, April 27, 2005.

On March 10, 2005, Roger Abramson <a href="http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/News/2005/03/10/Dodging_Dean/index.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/News/2005/03/10/Dodging_Dean/index.shtml" rel="nofollow" style="">reported</a> in the Nashville Scene that "Belmont University graduate Drew Johnson serves as the center's president, and seeks to bring his public policy experience with Washington-based groups like the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Taxpayers_Union" title="National Taxpayers Union">National Taxpayers Union</a> and the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Enterprise_Institute" title="American Enterprise Institute">American Enterprise Institute</a> a little closer to home.

<h2>Ties to the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Franklin_Center_for_Government_and_Public_Integrity" title="Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity">Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity</a></h2>

The Pacific Research Institute is listed as hosting <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Franklin_Center_for_Government_and_Public_Integrity" title="Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity">Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity</a> "investigative journalists." <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a> The Franklin Center funds reporters in over 40 states.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-1" title="">[2]</a> Despite their non-partisan description, many of the websites funded by the Franklin Center have received criticism for their conservative bias.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a> On it's website, the Franklin Center clams that it "provides 10 percent of all daily reporting from state capitals nationwide." <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a>

<h3>Funding</h3>

The Franklin Center was launched by the Chicago-based <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Sam_Adams_Alliance" title="Sam Adams Alliance">Sam Adams Alliance</a> (SAM),<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a> a 501(c)(3) devoted to pushing free-market ideals. SAM gets funding from the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=State_Policy_Network" title="State Policy Network">State Policy Network</a>,<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a> which is partially funded by The Claude R. Lambe Foundation.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Charles_Koch" title="Charles Koch" class="mw-redirect">Charles Koch</a>, one of the billionaire brothers who co-own Koch Industries, sits on the board of this foundation.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a> SAM also receives funding from the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rodney_Fund" title="Rodney Fund">Rodney Fund</a>. The Franklin Center also receives funding from the Wisconsin-based <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Lynde_and_Harry_Bradley_Foundation" title="Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation">Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation</a>,<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a> a conservative grant-making organization.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a>

<h2>Website</h2>

According to a WHOIS search, TENNESSEEPOLICY.ORG was created October 13, 2004, and registered to Drew Johnson at P.O. Box 121331, Nashville, TN 37212.

The website debuted online the week of March 8, 2005. <a href="http://www.insideronline.org/blogarchive.cfm?month=3&year=2005#82B270D8-DD78-22A2-BB8F645729435712" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.insideronline.org/blogarchive.cfm?month=3&year=2005#82B270D8-DD78-22A2-BB8F645729435712" rel="nofollow">[9]</a>

<h2>Contact Information</h2>

PO Box 121331

Nashville, TN 37212

Phone: 615 383-6431

Fax: 615 383-6432

Email: info AT tennesseepolicy.org

Website: <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/" class="external free" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/</a>

<h2>Articles and Resources</h2>

<h3>Sources</h3>

<li id="cite_note-0"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/images/e/e4/Franklin_Center_Statehouse_News_Bureaus.jpg" class="external text" title="http://www.sourcewatch.org/images/e/e4/Franklin_Center_Statehouse_News_Bureaus.jpg" rel="nofollow">Statehouse News Bureaus</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org" class="external text" title="http://www.sourcewatch.org" rel="nofollow">Source Watch</a>, accessed March 23, 2012</li>

<li id="cite_note-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-1" title="">↑</a> The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. <a href="http://www.franklincenterhq.org/2376/think-tank-journalism-the-future-of-investigative-reporting/" class="external text" title="http://www.franklincenterhq.org/2376/think-tank-journalism-the-future-of-investigative-reporting/" rel="nofollow">Think tank Journalism: The Future of Investigative Journalism</a>. Organizational website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-2" title="">↑</a> The Portland Press Herald. <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/news/watchdog-website-puts-a-new-spin-on-politics_2010-10-02.html" class="external text" title="http://www.pressherald.com/news/watchdog-website-puts-a-new-spin-on-politics_2010-10-02.html" rel="nofollow">'Watchdog' website puts a new spin on politics'</a>. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-3" title="">↑</a> Truthout. <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/koch-spider-web/1312231636" class="external text" title="http://www.truth-out.org/koch-spider-web/1312231636" rel="nofollow">The Koch Spider Web</a>. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-4"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-4" title="">↑</a> Sara Jerving, <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/10/10971/franklin-center-right-wing-funds-state-news-source" class="external free" title="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/10/10971/franklin-center-right-wing-funds-state-news-source" rel="nofollow">http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/10/10971/franklin-center-right-wing-funds-state-news-source</a>, <a href="http://www.prwatch.org" class="external text" title="http://www.prwatch.org" rel="nofollow">PR Watch</a>, October 27, 2011</li>

<li id="cite_note-5"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-5" title="">↑</a> Sam Adams Alliance. <a href="http://www.samadamsalliance.org/media/5148/sam_adams_alliance_media_kit.pdf" class="external text" title="http://www.samadamsalliance.org/media/5148/sam_adams_alliance_media_kit.pdf" rel="nofollow">Sam Adams Alliance Media Kit</a>. Organizational PDF. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-6"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-6" title="">↑</a> Media Matters Action Network. <a href="http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/Sam_Adams_Alliance/funders" class="external text" title="http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/Sam_Adams_Alliance/funders" rel="nofollow">Sam Adams Alliance</a>. Conservative Transparency. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-7"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-7" title="">↑</a> Media Matters Action Network. <a href="http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/State_Policy_Network/funders" class="external text" title="http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/State_Policy_Network/funders" rel="nofollow">State Policy Network</a>. Conservative Transparency. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-8"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-8" title="">↑</a> Media Matters Action Network. <a href="http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/Claude_R_Lambe_Charitable_Foundation" class="external text" title="http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/Claude_R_Lambe_Charitable_Foundation" rel="nofollow">Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation</a>. Conservative Transparency. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-9"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-9" title="">↑</a> The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127259723.html" class="external text" title="http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127259723.html" rel="nofollow">Franklin Center boss wants apology from Democratic staffer</a>. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

<li id="cite_note-10"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research#cite_ref-10" title="">↑</a> The Bradley Foundation. <a href="http://www.bradleyfdn.org/" class="external text" title="http://www.bradleyfdn.org/" rel="nofollow">The Bradley Foundation</a>. Organizational website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</li>

</ol>

<h3>Other SourceWatch Resources</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Think_tanks" title="Think tanks">Think tanks</a></li>

</ul>

<h3>External links</h3>

<ul>

<li>Mary Katherine Ham, <a href="http://www.insideronline.org/blogarchive.cfm?month=3&year=2005#82B270D8-DD78-22A2-BB8F645729435712" class="external text" title="http://www.insideronline.org/blogarchive.cfm?month=3&year=2005#82B270D8-DD78-22A2-BB8F645729435712" rel="nofollow">"Thinking in Tennessee,"</a> The Insider Online Blog, March 8, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=51&screen=news&news_id=41058" class="external text" title="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=51&screen=news&news_id=41058" rel="nofollow">Legal Listings</a>, Nashville, TN The City Paper Online, April 27, 2005.</li>

<li>Anne Malinee, <a href="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:NxkiK6iX98wJ:www.vutorch.org/blog/archives/000193.html+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+Pepperdine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=80&gl=us" class="external text" title="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:NxkiK6iX98wJ:www.vutorch.org/blog/archives/000193.html+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+Pepperdine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=80&gl=us" rel="nofollow">"From Beltway to Bible Belt. Drew Johnson's Tennessee Center for Policy Research, a state-based, free market think tank, is up and running,"</a> The Vanderbilt Torch, December 15, 2005 (cache file).</li>

<li>John Rodgers, <a href="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=54656" class="external text" title="http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=54656" rel="nofollow">"Dept. of Revenue says conservative think tank 'not a legitimate group',"</a> Nashville, TN's The City Paper Online, February 16, 2007.</li>

<li>Kleinheider, <a href="http://www.news2wkrn.com/vv/2007/02/exclusive_seibert_joins_up_wit.html" class="external text" title="http://www.news2wkrn.com/vv/2007/02/exclusive_seibert_joins_up_wit.html" rel="nofollow">"EXCLUSIVE: Seibert Joins Up With GQ Drew,"</a> VolunteerVoters.com, February 20, 2007. re Trent Seibert</li>

<li><a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367" class="external text" title="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367" rel="nofollow">Report: "Al Gore’s Personal Energy Use Is His Own 'Inconvenient Truth'. Gore’s home uses more than 20 times the national average,"</a> TCPR, February 26, 2007. Article <a href="http://www.spn.org/" class="external text" title="http://www.spn.org/" rel="nofollow">link</a> posted by State Policy Network. re <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Al_Gore" title="Al Gore" class="mw-redirect">Al Gore</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=An_Inconvenient_Truth" title="An Inconvenient Truth">An Inconvenient Truth</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dave_Johnson" title="Dave Johnson">Dave Johnson</a> and James Boyce, <a href="http://www.seeingtheforest.com/archives/2007/02/a_far_too_conve.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.seeingtheforest.com/archives/2007/02/a_far_too_conve.htm" rel="nofollow">"A Far Too Convenient $mear: Part One - Updated - Rush Update,"</a> Seeing the Forest, February 26, 2007; also posted at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-johnson-and-james-boyce/a-far-too-convenient-mea_b_42171.html" class="external text" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-johnson-and-james-boyce/a-far-too-convenient-mea_b_42171.html" rel="nofollow">The Huffington Post</a>.</li>

<li>Mark Memmott, <a href="http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/02/charges_counter.html" class="external text" title="http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/02/charges_counter.html" rel="nofollow">"Charges, countercharges flying over Gore's electric bill,"</a> On Deadline Blog/USA TODAY, February 27, 2007.</li>

<li>egalia, <a href="http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2007/02/tennessee-center-for-policy-research.html" class="external text" title="http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2007/02/tennessee-center-for-policy-research.html" rel="nofollow">"Tennessee Center For Policy Research: Rightwing Smear Machine,"</a> Tennessee Guerilla Women Blogspot, February 27, 2007.</li>

<li><a href="http://mediamatters.org/items/200702270009" class="external text" title="http://mediamatters.org/items/200702270009" rel="nofollow">"Headline News' Stouffer called 'free market' group that attacked Gore an 'environmental group',"</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Media_Matters_for_America" title="Media Matters for America">Media Matters for America</a>, February 27, 2007.</li>

<li>Carpetbagger, <a href="http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/wp-print.php?p=10049" class="external text" title="http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/wp-print.php?p=10049" rel="nofollow">"Conservative smear machine targets Gore (again),"</a> The Carpetbagger Report, February 27, 2007.</li>

<li>mrs panstreppon, <a href="http://coffeehouse.tpmcafe.com/blog/mrs_panstreppon/2007/feb/28/al_gore_electricity_bills_tennessee_research_center" class="external text" title="http://coffeehouse.tpmcafe.com/blog/mrs_panstreppon/2007/feb/28/al_gore_electricity_bills_tennessee_research_center" rel="nofollow">"Al Gore's Electricity Bills: Tennessee Center For Policy Research,"</a> TPM Cafe, February 28, 2007. Article and comments include significant research data on TCPR.</li>

<li>"<a href="http://mediamatters.org/items/200703020001" class="external text" title="http://mediamatters.org/items/200703020001" rel="nofollow">Wash. Post reported "think tank's" charge against Gore, omitted its anti-environmental background</a>", Media Matters of America, March 1, 2007.</li>

<li><a href="http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2007/03/smearing-of-al-gore.html" class="external text" title="http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2007/03/smearing-of-al-gore.html" rel="nofollow">"The Smearing of Al Gore,"</a> Tumeke Blogspot, March 1, 2007.</li>

</ul>

<div id="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Special:Categories" title="Special:Categories">Categories</a>: <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Think_tanks" title="Category:Think tanks">Think tanks</a> | <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:United_States" title="Category:United States">United States</a> | <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Politics_%28U.S.%29" title="Category:Politics (U.S.)">Politics (U.S.)</a></div>

</div>

Jason A. (Drew) Johnson is president of the Nashville-based <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Tennessee_Center_for_Policy_Research" title="Tennessee Center for Policy Research" class="mw-redirect">Tennessee Center for Policy Research</a> (TCPR) and a Fellow of the Davenport Institute, Pepperdine University School of Public Policy. <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/davenportinstitute/administration.htm">[1]</a>

Johnson is the "son of a former NASCAR series driver" <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030712/ai_n12514429">[2]</a>.

Johnson was a <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Koch_Family_Foundations" title="Koch Family Foundations">Koch</a> Fellow <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:yeKInDo5-qEJ:publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/news/DeansRptWinter2005.pdf+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+%22American+Enterprise+Institute%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=20&gl=us">[3]</a> in the Summer Fellow Class of 2002 at the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Libertarian" title="Libertarian" class="mw-redirect">libertarian</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Institute_for_Humane_Studies" title="Institute for Humane Studies">Institute for Humane Studies</a> at George Mason University. <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.theihs.org/internship_programs/id.757/default.asp">[4]</a>

"In 2002, while at the American Enterprise Institute, Johnson’s research on the link between increased campaign finance regulation and rates of incumbent reelection served as the empirical backbone in the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Supreme_Court" title="Supreme Court">Supreme Court</a> Case 'McConnell v. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/FEC" title="FEC" class="mw-redirect">FEC</a>.' As a research analyst for the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Modern_Red_Schoolhouse_Institute&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Modern Red Schoolhouse Institute (page does not exist)">Modern Red Schoolhouse Institute</a> in Nashville, he examined state educational standards, education reform and pedagogical use of technology." <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/19914">[5]</a>

Johnson, from Johnson City, TN <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:FNXl0gxN3nAJ:www.vutorch.org/blog/archives/2004_11.html+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+Pepperdine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=81&gl=us">[6]</a>, "graduated from Belmont University in 2001 with a BS in Political Science" and received a Master of Public Policy from Pepperdine University in 2003. <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/2004/01/belmont_grad_pr.html">[7]</a><a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:yeKInDo5-qEJ:publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/news/DeansRptWinter2005.pdf+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+Pepperdine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us">[8]</a>

<h2>Contents</h2></div>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson#National_Taxpayers_Union_Foundation">1 National Taxpayers Union Foundation</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson#On_Bush.27s_Spending">2 On Bush's Spending</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson#External_links">3 External links</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-4"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson#Profiles">3.1 Profiles</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-5"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson#Studies_and_commentaries_authored.2Fco-authored_by_Drew_Johnson">3.2 Studies and commentaries authored/co-authored by Drew Johnson</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-6"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Drew_Johnson#Articles_.26_Commentary">3.3 Articles & Commentary</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2>National Taxpayers Union Foundation</h2>

Before founding TCPR, Johnson was a policy analyst at the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Right-wing" title="Right-wing">right-wing</a>-funded <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/National_Taxpayers_Union_Foundation" title="National Taxpayers Union Foundation" class="mw-redirect">National Taxpayers Union Foundation</a> (NTUF), the research arm of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/National_Taxpayers_Union" title="National Taxpayers Union">National Taxpayers Union</a> (NTU). <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:yeKInDo5-qEJ:publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/news/DeansRptWinter2005.pdf+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+%22American+Enterprise+Institute%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=20&gl=us">[9]</a>

In July 2004, while with NTUF, Johnson <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://users.law.capital.edu/dmayer/Blog/blogIndex.asp?entry=20040927.asp">co-authored</a> the economic policy study <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/press_release.php?PressID=629&org_name=NTUF">"Kerry's Fiscal Agenda 'Makeover' Won't Improve Budget Picture for Taxpayers"</a> on <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Democratic_Party" title="Democratic Party" class="mw-redirect">Democratic</a> presidential candidate <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/John_Kerry" title="John Kerry" class="mw-redirect">John Kerry</a>'s spending recommendations.

On an undated <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/page.php?PageID=98">"Statement of Concern for Freedom in Russia"</a> posted on the NTU website, the signatories—among which are Johnson, representing TCPR; <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Grover_Norquist" title="Grover Norquist">Grover Norquist</a>, of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Conservative&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Conservative (page does not exist)">conservative</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Tobacco_industry" title="Tobacco industry">tobacco industry</a>-related <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Americans_for_Tax_Reform" title="Americans for Tax Reform">Americans for Tax Reform</a>; and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Leonard_Liggio" title="Leonard Liggio">Leonard Liggio</a> of the conservative <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Atlas_Economic_Research_Foundation" title="Atlas Economic Research Foundation">Atlas Economic Research Foundation</a>—identify themselves as "representatives, of liberal think-tanks and movements".

<h2>On Bush's Spending</h2>

"Fiscal conservatives, too, are less than pleased with the current administration," Brian Montopoli <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=montopoli012704">wrote</a> January 22, 2004, in The National Review Online. "'Since <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/George_W.Bush" title="George W. Bush" class="mw-redirect">Bush</a> came into office, federal spending is up 24 percent,' says Drew Johnson, policy analyst at National Taxpayers Union. 'I always thought that if the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Republican_Party" title="Republican Party" class="mw-redirect">Republicans</a> could control both houses of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Congress" title="Congress" class="mw-redirect">Congress</a> and the presidency, taxes would fall, spending would fall, and the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/U.S.budget_deficit" title="U.S. budget deficit">deficit</a> would go down. So it's frustrating that once we finally got our way the Republicans stopped acting like Republicans.' He complains about excess pork in the 2004 Omnibus spending bill and the newly unveiled <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Bush_administration:_return_to_space" title="Bush administration: return to space">space exploration initiative</a>, which the president chose not to mention in the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/State_of_the_Union_2004" title="State of the Union 2004">State of the Union address</a>. 'There is enough frustration that perhaps a Libertarian could skim off some fiscal conservative votes,' he says."

<h2>External links</h2>

<h3>Profiles</h3>

<ul>

<li>President, TCPR <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=89">bio</a>.</li>

<li>Fellow, Davenport Institute, Pepperdine University School of Public Policy <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/davenportinstitute/administration.htm">bio</a>.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_37626.asp">"3 Chattanoogans Included In Bredesen Board Appointments,"</a> The Chattanoogan.com, June 13, 2003. Johnson appointed to Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth by Governor Phil Bredesen.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/2004/01/belmont_grad_pr.html">"Belmont Grad Provides Expert National Political Research,"</a> Belmont University Forum, Nashville, TN, January 22, 2004.</li>

<li>Trapper Michael, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:FNXl0gxN3nAJ:www.vutorch.org/blog/archives/2004_11.html+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+Pepperdine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=81&gl=us">"D.C. Meets Tennessee,"</a> The Vanderbilt Torch, November 11, 2004.</li>

<li>Anne Malinee, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:NxkiK6iX98wJ:www.vutorch.org/blog/archives/000193.html+%22Drew+Johnson%22,+Pepperdine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=80&gl=us">"From Beltway to Bible Belt. Drew Johnson's Tennessee Center for Policy Research, a state-based, free market think tank, is up and running,"</a> The Vanderbilt Torch, December 15, 2005 (cache file).</li>

</ul>

<h3>Studies and commentaries authored/co-authored by Drew Johnson</h3>

<ul>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030712/ai_n12514429">"Army of $1 billion recruits?"</a> Chicago Sun-Times (FindArticles.com), July 12, 2003.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/press_commentaries.php?PressID=150&org_name=NTU">"Army Ads and NASCAR: Racing Away with Your Money,"</a> National Taxpayers Union, July 16, 2003.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/press_commentaries.php?PressID=363&org_name=NTU">"'Hi' Culture at an Even Higher Price,"</a> National Taxpayers Union, October 20, 2003.</li>

<li>With Peter J. Sepp and Jeff Dircksen, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/press_release.php?PressID=549&org_name=NTUF">"EVERY Democrat Presidential Candidate's Platform Would Raise, Not Lower, Federal Budget Deficits,"</a> National Taxpayers Union, January 19, 2004.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/press_papers.php?PressID=548&org_name=NTUF">"The Return of Fuzzy Math and Risky Schemes: How Presidential Hopefuls Would Deepen Deficits,"</a> National Taxpayers Union, January 19, 2004.</li>

<li>With Peter J. Sepp (Pete Sepp), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110004601">"Deficit Denial. Think Bush is a big spender? Wait till you see what the Dems propose,"</a> WSJ OpinionJournal, January 25, 2004.</li>

<li>With Peter J. Sepp and Annie Patnaude, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/main/press_release.php?PressID=629&org_name=NTUF">"Study: Kerry's Fiscal Agenda 'Makeover' Won't Improve Budget Picture for Taxpayers,"</a> National Taxpayers Union, July 12, 2004.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ntu.org/pdf/pp_ntuf_153.pdf">"One Hand in Your Pocket: How Kerry’s Campaign Pledges Stand to Cost Taxpayers Billions,"</a> National Taxpayers Union, July 12, 2004.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=5120">"Tax Reform: Say It Is So, Mr. President,"</a> Human Events Online, September 17, 2004.</li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.atlasusa.org/V2/files/pdfs/2006_h-spring.pdf">"Combining Common Sense and Passion–Advice for Young Think Tanks,"</a> Highligts/Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Spring 2006. Scroll down to page 12.</li>

</ul>

<h3>Articles & Commentary</h3>

<ul>

<li>Brian Montopoli, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=montopoli012704">"Acid Base,"</a> The National Review Online, January 27, 2004.</li>

<li>Caroline Baum, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&cid=baum&sid=a129hCZ9B140">"In Fiscal Discipline, It's a Race to the Bottom,"</a> Bloomberg, July 14, 2004.</li>

<li>David N. Mayer, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://users.law.capital.edu/dmayer/Blog/blogIndex.asp?entry=20040927.asp">"The Two Johns: The Real Poop Behind the Bullshit,"</a>, Mayer Blog, September 27, 2004. See section "John Kerry, 'Deficit Hawk'."</li>

<li>James W. Crawley, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://washdateline.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=wsh&PackageID=46&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=7528&GroupID=214">"Military Drives for Recruits at NASCAR,"</a> Media General News Service, September 19, 2005.</li>

<li>James W. Crawley, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.wrbl.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WRBL%2FMGArticle%2FRBL_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191674921&path=%21features%21military">"Coast Guard, Marines Hit Brakes on NASCAR,"</a> Media General News Service (WRBL.com), November 13, 2006.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Dave_Johnson" title="Dave Johnson">Dave Johnson</a> and James Boyce, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/2/26/21750/6965">"Drudge Attacks Gore Over Utility Bills - Rush Update,"</a> Daily Kos, February 26, 2007.</li>

<li>egalia, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2007/02/tennessee-center-for-policy-research.html">"Tennessee Center For Policy Research: Rightwing Smear Machine,"</a> Tennessee Guerilla Women Blogspot, February 27, 2007.</li>

<li>mrs panstreppon, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://coffeehouse.tpmcafe.com/blog/mrs_panstreppon/2007/feb/28/al_gore_electricity_bills_tennessee_research_center">"Al Gore's Electricity Bills: Tennessee Center For Policy Research,"</a> TPM Cafe, February 28, 2007. Article and comments include significant research data on TCPR.</li>

</ul>

</div>

<div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Special:Categories" title="Special:Categories">Category</a>:

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Category:Think_tanks" title="Category:Think tanks">Think tanks</a></li>

</ul>

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</div>

<li id="footer-info-lastmod">This page was last modified on 10 August 2008</li>

</ul>

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===

<a href="http://motherjones.com/environment/2009/12/dirty-dozen-climate-change-denial-04-tennessee-center-policy-research">http://motherjones.com/environment/2009/12/dirty-dozen-climate-change-denial-04-tennessee-center-policy-research</a>

Research (A.K.A. Carnival of Climate Change)

Meet the 12 loudest members of the chorus claiming that global warming is a joke and that CO2 emissions are actually good for you.

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research runs the website Carnival of Climate Change, which provides "a skeptical look at climate change alarmism." Much of its content is reposted from amateur blogs. One of the blogs that it promotes, The Global Warming Heretic, argues that "Environmentalists may be to BLAME for recent warming" because efforts to stop acid rain limited coal particulates that reflect sunlight. Even so, the blogger adds, "I'm not ready to concede any human influence in the climate cycle." Another "Climate Blogger" in the Carnival's tent suggests that obese Americans are a "natural resource" because their fat can be harvested for its stem cells.

The TCPR's president is Drew Johnson, who made a splash in 2007 when he revealed that Al Gore's Tennessee mansion used roughly 20 times more energy than the typical American household. "Al Gore is a hypocrite and a fraud when it comes to his commitment to the environment," he crowed. (Gore's supporters countered that his house has solar panels and other energy efficient technologies.) Johnson previously served as a Koch Fellow at the Institute for Humane Studies and the American Enterprise Institute, which are both funded by foundations tied to Koch Industries, a company with extensive oil interests.

In an interview, Johnson claimed that TCPR has never taken any money from energy interests and that Carnival of Climate Change was a minor side project that is "not supposed to be a hard news or hard research site." He added, "What we put up there, or what is put up there [through an automatic news feed] isn't reflective of our research, our opinions, or our thoughts."

===

penn and teller BS

Tomorrow, the ultra conservative <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Competitive_Enterprise_Institute">Competitive Enterprise Institute</a> (CEI) will launch a new round of <a href="http://www.cei.org/gencon/003,06434.cfm">television ads</a> attacking former Vice President Al Gore for his leadership on climate change. The right-wing Washington Times gleefully <a href="http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080308/NATION/292759505/1001">reported</a> on CEI’s ad buy on Saturday:

Al Gore’s opulent lifestyle and his virtuous plea to save the planet from global warming don’t mesh, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), which announced plans yesterday for a new national advertising campaign to showcase the contrast before the American public.

</blockquote>

In fact, Al Gore has worked diligently to reduce his own carbon impact. After a thorough renovation of his house — complete with a <a href="http://www.ecorazzi.com/2007/03/20/zoning-laws-prevent-al-gore-from-installing-solar-panels/">fight to obtain zoning permission</a> for solar panels — Gore has one of the first 14 homes in the United States to receive the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/al_gore_gets_go.php">LEED gold certification</a> for efficiency and green practices. The renovations “<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/gore.home.ap/index.html">cut the home’s summer electrical consumption</a> by 11 percent compared with a year ago.”

CEI’s campaign simply recycles old partisan smears. According to the Times, CEI is relying on “research released last year by the <a href="http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080308/NATION/292759505/1001">Tennessee Center for Policy Research</a>,” a conservative group founded by <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=89">Drew Johnson</a>, who previously worked for the right-wing National Taxpayers Foundation and <a href="http://clips.mediamatters.org/rd?http://www.theihs.org/repository/docLib/20070130_07_KSFP_Brochure-final.pdf#page=4">interned</a> for the <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/01/oil-lobby-payments/">Exxon-funded</a> American Enterprise Institute.

CEI is hardly a neutral player either:

– The Washington Monthly reported, “The Competitive Enterprise Institute has been a particularly aggressive advocate of the notion that global warming is a ‘theory not a fact.’” [<a href="http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/1999/9911.callahan.think.html">LINK</a>]

– CEI “adjunct analyst” Donald Boudreaux said in 2006: “the best policy regarding global warming is to neglect it – and let capitalism continue to make us healthier and wealthier.” [<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/15/bourdreaux-capitalism-climate/">LINK</a>]

– CEI has received more than $2 million from ExxonMobil since 1998. [<a href="http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/orgfactsheet.php?id=2">LINK</a>]

– CEI’s global-warming denying position is so radical that last year, ExxonMobil announced it had ceased funding CEI, in an effort to improve its corporate image. [<a href="http://www.desmogblog.com/exxon-acknowledges-climate-change">LINK</a>]

– CEI belongs to the State Policy Network, a “voluntary and by invitation-only” coalition of free-market think tanks that includes both the Tennessee Center for Policy Research and the Heartland Institute, which ran last week’s global warming denial conference. [<a href="http://www.spn.org/directory/organizations.asp">LINK</a>, <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2008/02/01/19290/heartland-climate/">LINK</a>]

</blockquote>

This is not the first time CEI has tried to distract attention from global warming science in order to attack Gore. Last year, it produced two ads asserting the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sGKvDNdJNA">virtues</a> of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_Bj-av3g0">carbon dioxide</a>. The ad campaign had the Orwellian title, “They call it pollution. <a href="http://www.cei.org/pages/co2.cfm">We call it life</a>.”

UPDATE: Desmog blog notes that CEI is <a href="http://www.desmogblog.com/cei-letter-outlines-tv-ad-attack-campaign">trying to fundraise</a> off its Gore campaign.

<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/print/110486">http://www.motherjones.com/print/110486</a> unions/spn

Brad Johnson on Mar 10, 2008

Tomorrow, the ultra conservative <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Competitive_Enterprise_Institute">Competitive Enterprise Institute</a> (CEI) will launch a new round of <a href="http://www.cei.org/gencon/003,06434.cfm">television ads</a> attacking former Vice President Al Gore for his leadership on climate change. The right-wing Washington Times gleefully <a href="http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080308/NATION/292759505/1001">reported</a> on CEI’s ad buy on Saturday:

Al Gore’s opulent lifestyle and his virtuous plea to save the planet from global warming don’t mesh, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), which announced plans yesterday for a new national advertising campaign to showcase the contrast before the American public.

</blockquote>

In fact, Al Gore has worked diligently to reduce his own carbon impact. After a thorough renovation of his house — complete with a <a href="http://www.ecorazzi.com/2007/03/20/zoning-laws-prevent-al-gore-from-installing-solar-panels/">fight to obtain zoning permission</a> for solar panels — Gore has one of the first 14 homes in the United States to receive the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/al_gore_gets_go.php">LEED gold certification</a> for efficiency and green practices. The renovations “<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/gore.home.ap/index.html">cut the home’s summer electrical consumption</a> by 11 percent compared with a year ago.”

CEI’s campaign simply recycles old partisan smears. According to the Times, CEI is relying on “research released last year by the <a href="http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080308/NATION/292759505/1001">Tennessee Center for Policy Research</a>,” a conservative group founded by <a href="http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=89">Drew Johnson</a>, who previously worked for the right-wing National Taxpayers Foundation and <a href="http://clips.mediamatters.org/rd?http://www.theihs.org/repository/docLib/20070130_07_KSFP_Brochure-final.pdf#page=4">interned</a> for the <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/01/oil-lobby-payments/">Exxon-funded</a> American Enterprise Institute.

CEI is hardly a neutral player either:

– CEI belongs to the State Policy Network, a “voluntary and by invitation-only” coalition of free-market think tanks that includes both the Tennessee Center for Policy Research and the Heartland Institute, which ran last week’s global warming denial conference. [<a href="http://www.spn.org/directory/organizations.asp">LINK</a>, <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2008/02/01/19290/heartland-climate/">LINK</a>]

</blockquote>

This is not the first time CEI has tried to distract attention from global warming science in order to attack Gore. Last year, it produced two ads asserting the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sGKvDNdJNA">virtues</a> of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_Bj-av3g0">carbon dioxide</a>. The ad campaign had the Orwellian title, “They call it pollution. <a href="http://www.cei.org/pages/co2.cfm">We call it life</a>.”=Paula Melton of<a href="http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2013/1/25/Taxpayers-Group-Targets-Federal-Government-s-Use-of-LEED/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> Environmental Building News </a>describes how the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has filed Freedom of Information Act requests for all of the emails (nine years worth) between the US Green Building Council, creators of LEED, and the General Services Administration. TPA President David Williams tells<a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/17/watchdog-group-demands-information-on-green-building-program/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> the Daily</a><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/17/watchdog-group-demands-information-on-green-building-program/" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);"> Caller:</a><blockquote style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; line-height: 29.4px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px;">We’re trying to see if there is a connection between the U.S. Green Building Council, a 501(c)3, that is benefitting financially from these new standards, to get to the genesis of these LEED standards and see exactly just how much influence this nonprofit had.</blockquote>On their website,<a href="http://www.protectingtaxpayers.org/index.php?blog&action=view&post_id=276" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> the TPA explains in more detail,</a> (emphasis mine)<blockquote style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; line-height: 29.4px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">TPA has been concerned about private, non-science based non-profit organizations like the USGBC being involved in creating environmental standards that are then relied upon to dictate government policies and in turn cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Last year, TPA highlighted the fundamental problems with LEED and the attempt to institute LEED v.4. In TPA’s public comment letter to the USGBC, TPA pointed out that products such as plastic insulation, vinyl roofing, and LED lighting are discouraged through the chemical avoidance credits in LEED v4, which uses the European Union’s REACH regulations as a benchmark. This is a standard that small and medium U.S. based manufacturers are unfamiliar with and will struggle to meet. Moreover, there are credits for certification in this new standard that could reward architects for rejecting modern technology and chose instead to use a thatched straw roof, yet the standards dissuade builders who use bullet resistant glass in federal courthouses. LEED v4 is filled with arbitrary and requirements that pick winners in losers in the marketplace. The USGBC seems to have undue influence in mandating LEED standards and now TPA wants answers.</blockquote>So who is the TPA and who is behind it? Paula Melton asked TPA President Williams.  <a href="http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2013/1/25/Taxpayers-Group-Targets-Federal-Government-s-Use-of-LEED/" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">She writes:</a><blockquote style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; line-height: 29.4px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243);">This attention from a tax-focused interest group comes on the heels of aggressive lobbying against LEED by certain segments of the forestry and chemical industries. Their efforts have contributed to anti-LEED legislation in a few states and, at the federal level, restrictions on LEED for the U.S. military. When EBN asked if industry groups are backing his efforts, Williams refused to say. “It comes from private sources, and I don’t reveal who my donors are,” he replied.</blockquote>David Williams does not have much of a paper trail. On the<a href="http://www.protectingtaxpayers.org/index.php?about" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> website his bio says </a>that he is "an expert in finding and exposing government waste and has helped fine tune criteria in identifying and ultimately eliminating earmarks. " He has a "Senior Fellow",  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Johnson_(politics)" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Drew Johnson</a>, who has been a guest on Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity shows, and got famous for going after Al Gore in 2007 for using as much electricity in his house in a month as average Americans use in a year. Neither of them are big fish....However when you <a href="http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/450/450702828/450702828_201202_990EO.pdf" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">dig up the 990,</a> a form required by the IRS for every tax-exempt non-profit, you find some very big fish indeed.<h2 style="margin: 20px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1em; vertical-align: baseline;">Barry Bennett and the Alliance for America's Future</h2>Barry Bennett is described lovingly in<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/barry-bennett-anti-bain-documentary-maker_n_1204944.html" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> Huffington Post:</a><blockquote style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; line-height: 29.4px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243);">Bennett has a history as a frontman for Republican Party ventures financed by donors intent on maintaining their anonymity. Since the 1990s, he has headed two nonprofits set up for the purpose of influencing elections while maintaining donor secrecy. He has operated within the underbelly of politics where secret money flows through obscure trusts and foundations to finance attack ads and campaigns free of fingerprints.</blockquote>Bennett now runs The Alliance for America's Future; Paul Blumenthal<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/barry-bennett-anti-bain-documentary-maker_n_1204944.html" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> continues in Huffpo:</a><blockquote style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px;">Joining him at the new conservative nonprofit were Mary Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, and Kara Ahern, Cheney's former chief of staff. The nonprofit was formed after the Citizens United ruling that, among many other things, allowed nonprofits to spend money on express advocacy for candidates seeking election. This change effectively sanctioned much of the activity that Bennett and CCF [his former gig] had pursued in the 1990s. The CCF ads had to mask their negative message about a candidate behind criticisms over issues. The Alliance for America's Future, however, could raise unlimited contributions from anonymous donors to fund ads that openly call for the victory or defeat of candidates.<p style="background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">The nonprofit is part of a network of independent conservative groups that have either been established or increased their visibility in the wake of the Citizens United decision. They include the Karl Rove-linked American Crossroads and the Koch brothers-funded Americans for Job Security....<h2 style="line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stephen Demaura and Americans for Job Security</h2>And who is president of Americans for Job Security? Why, it is Stephen Demaura, Treasurer and Secretary of the Taxpayer Protection Alliance. According to <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Americans_for_Job_Security" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Sourcewatch,</a><blockquote style="line-height: 29.4px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px;">AJS has long been ahead of the trends for dark money political spending. "You could say Americans for Job Security has been keeping donors anonymous since before it was cool," Talking Points Memo wrote in December 2012....in a FEC Complaint, Public Citizen wrote that AJS is a "sham front group that would be better called Corporations Influencing Elections ... masquerading as a non-profit to conceal its funders and the scope of its electioneering activities."</blockquote>No wonder TPA Prez David Williams refused to tell Paula where his money came from; he's the front man for two of the biggest conservative dark money organizations in the country, funded by the Kochs and no doubt the American Chemistry Council and SFI, who are all working together to gut LEED and make America safe for the makers of formaldehyde, vinyl and clearcut lumber...=<a href="http://insideclimatenews.org/content/60-pro-keystone-xl-comments-tied-industry-group-says" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">http://insideclimatenews.org/content/60-pro-keystone-xl-comments-tied-industry-group-says</a>wayback  http://web.archive.org/web/20140331100216/https://insideclimatenews.org/content/60-pro-keystone-xl-comments-tied-industry-group-says</blockquote><blockquote style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 1em 1em 0.25em; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; border-radius: 5px;">
60% of Pro-Keystone XL Comments Tied to Industry, Group SaysAnalysis of 1,000 public comments shows that authors of more than half of them have ties to various companies that may benefit from pipeline's approval.By Lisa Song, InsideClimate News  Mar 17, 2014Regulations.gov has so far registered about 125,000 public comments on the Keystone XL pipeline. The State Department says it has received an estimated three million comments on the contentious project.Environmentalists who spent a month analyzing public comments on the Keystone XL linked more than half the pro-pipeline comments they examined to people in the oil industry. As the U.S. State Department considers whether to approve the project, the activists want those remarks to carry less weight than those written by people without a vested interest in the outcome.Out of a random sample of more than 1,000 comments in support of the Keystone, the environmentalists connected about 60 percent of the commenters' names to oil and pipeline company employees, investors, lobbyists, attorneys and others working for the industry—all of whom could potentially benefit from the construction of the pipeline, the activists said. If built, the pipeline would carry diluted bitumen from Canada's tar sands region to the Texas Gulf Coast."We don't want to accuse anyone of wrongdoing ... but to me this raises a red flag," said Terra Friedrichs, a volunteer at the environmental group 350MA who led the analysis. 350MA is a Massachusetts grassroots organization that advocates for sustainable energy. It often collaborates with, but is not affiliated with the national group 350.org.Regulations.gov, the website used to collect public comments, doesn't require people to disclose their names, nationalities, occupations or financial interests.The State Department, which must decide whether the pipeline is in the national interest, said the comments page is open to all. "Throughout this process it's important that we hear the views of any member of the public that wishes to share their opinion or viewpoint," a department spokesperson said in an email.The spokesperson added that all of the comments will be considered alongside other factors—"including energy security; environmental, cultural, and economic impacts [of the pipeline]; foreign policy; and compliance with federal regulations." The final decision on the Keystone will come from President Obama.Friedrichs, who works as a socially responsible business consultant, agreed that everyone has a right to comment. But she said individuals on both sides of the debate should be required to disclose any financial interests in the project. A paid environmental lobbyist commenting in opposition should also have to explain his or her ties, she said.350MA wants the State Department to conduct a thorough analysis of the comments before they're read, and to give more weight to remarks written by people who don't have a financial stake. "[We] ask that ALL of the comments be available for a six-month period of time so that research may be done into the identities of the commenters," Friedrichs said.The agency received an estimated three million comments. Industry, union and environmental groups used mass emails and form letters to drive up their numbers. Both sides touted their final counts—one million in support of the pipeline, two million in opposition—as evidence of the public's backing or disapproval of the contentious project.Regulations.gov has registered only about 125,000 comments. That's because some of the comments are still being processed, and also because petitions register as a single comment regardless of the number of signatures.The Washington Post reported last week that nearly half of the two million anti-pipeline comments came from outside the U.S. Most were collected and translated by the advocacy group Avaaz.The Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan organization that tracks money in politics, found that nearly 8 in 10 of the 125,000 registered comments were similarly worded pro-pipeline remarks submitted by people who listed BKM Strategies as the "originating organization." BKM is a consulting firm with ties to Dick Cheney's daughter Mary Cheney, who has an active role in political nonprofits that fund conservative causes.'Out-the-Insider'Friedrichs got the idea for 350MA's so-called "Out-the-Insider" project last month when she submitted her own comment online. After searching the names of a few pro-Keystone commenters and finding industry ties, she recruited other environmentalists to conduct a more systematic analysis.Between early February and Mar. 6, the second-to-last day of the public comment period, Friedrichs worked with 11 other volunteers to research more than 1,000 pro-pipeline comments. Most of the connections were made through google searches that combined the person's full name with the word "oil" or "industry."A smaller subset of names was analyzed with more in-depth research into marriage records, country club and Chamber of Commerce memberships. Ninety percent of that group yielded the names of people linked to the oil industry, either through employment, direct family ties or close social connections, Friedrichs said.Whenever they found a name of interest, they submitted a comment on regulations.gov using the term INSIDER ALERT! to flag the issue. For instance, "Is this the same Terry Morgan? EMPLOYEE OF BIG OIL_SHELL," they wrote on one comment, followed by a link to Morgan's LinkedIn profile.CLICK to enlargeScreenshot of INSIDER ALERT! comment"A lot of the names aren't that unusual, so who knows if it's the same person," said 350MA volunteer Sue Donaldson, medical director of a community hospital psychiatric clinic. "But I was amazed at the number of times I would google a name and the first name would be someone with a clear [oil industry] connection of some kind."Friedrichs said she applauds the State Department for making the comments publicly available during the comment period. "Far too often, public comments are not available until AFTER critical decision points, making it impossible to identify whether 'insiders' are the ones who are making the comments," she said in an email.But now that her group has identified these ties, she hopes the State Department will consider minimizing their role in the review. In the long term, she hopes her group's efforts will lead to greater transparency."We can't have a good government or democracy ... unless people disclose their vested interests, and the government has a responsibility to know where the comments they're using came from," Friedrichs said.Boston College law professor Zygmunt Plater said the 350MA project could help shed light on potential "astroturfing," in which "narrow interest groups driven by short-term profits" are behind a disproportionate number of public comments.While everyone has a right to comment, "it seems to me equally significant to know where the comments are coming from," he said. "It's important to note which are coming from the provenance of insiders with a vested financial interest and a narrow outcome, and those which are coming from people who represent a broad perspective of public health, safety and [considerations] for the long term."See all Carbon Copy posts >>Return to home page >></blockquote>

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