'Ties could bite Leavitt '

[FreeperSlayer]

By Rebecca Walsh, Dan Harrie and Kirsten Stewart
The Salt Lake Tribune

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In three terms in office, Utah's governor has entwined his political life with some of the state's, and nation's, top polluters. And, if confirmed, Leavitt will preside over an agency that oversees many of the companies that have been his supporters.
A review of a decade's worth of financial records shows nearly $1 in every $10 Leavitt raised came from landfill operators, oil refineries, mining companies and other firms that have unresolved EPA violations for fouling the air, water or land.

<snip>
The single biggest donor among the industries examined was Huntsman Corp., which has a long history with the EPA and state regulators in Texas. The multibillion-dollar petrochemical giant, along with company founder and Chairman Jon Huntsman Sr., gave Leavitt $150,000, including five checks of $25,000 each.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Cronyism always has a negative impact to the public interest.

You're either on the side of personal gain, or you're on the side of protecting the public interest. There is no inbetween.