Crashing Corrupt Corman's Fundraiser
On October 7th, after months of silence by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman and his continued failure to bring the Gift Ban to a vote, more than two dozen MarchOnHarrisburg activists from across the state converged at the Toftrees Golf Resort in State College where Sen. Corman was holding one of his annual fundraisers.
This was no bake sale or pay-what-you-can event, however - this was a $500-minimum reservation-only shindig that attracted the wealthy and the privileged for a round of golf, dinner, and access to the top Senator in the state. While Sen. Corman may claim to speak for the everyday people of rural PA, one look at this high-roller event painted a very different picture.
“Fundraisers are exclusive spaces where legislators like Senator Corman and the wealthy think they can escape the demands of the working class,” said Rabbi Michael Pollack, executive director of MarchOnHarrisburg. “A round of golf at this fundraiser today is $500. Sponsorships cost up to $10,000. That’s the price for time with Senator Corman - a price most Pennsylvanians can’t pay and shouldn’t have to pay.”
We strategically placed ourselves at two locations along the golf course that gave us the opportunity to interact with Corman’s donors. We held signs that called out the distorted moral narrative at play before us (see our press release here.) As the golfers passed us, we asked questions to highlight the unpleasant reality of what was going on here: wealthy people who had money to spare spent it with the expectation that Senator Corman would take care of their interests.
Sen. Corman’s donors had a wide range of reactions - from laughing and snapping photos to surprise and silence. Many of the people told us that they “are just playing golf,” and if we wanted to speak with Sen. Corman, we should just call his office. One golfer even had a moment of honesty, telling us “No” when we asked if there was a way to meet with Sen. Corman without having to pay $500.
There is nothing inherently wrong with being wealthy. Unfortunately, however, because of the policies and voting records of legislators like State Senator Corman, the wealthy are allowed to hoard resources and influence at a level that has become immoral and destructive. There are 4.3 million poor and low-income people in this state who are suffering. Today. Right now. And they might as well be invisible to Jake Corman and the majority party in PA who time and again have turned a blind eye to their plight. Pennsylvanians lack clean air and water. We lack healthcare. We lack a fair tax system. We lack proper funding for our public schools. These are all choices that our lawmakers have made for us. These choices benefit the wealthy, and they come at the expense of the 99%.
Senator Corman says that he fights for the working-class people of PA. Sen. Corman also holds expensive fundraisers that only the elites of PA can afford to attend.
So what are we to believe? Sen. Corman's words, or his actions?
It is time to make the Gift Ban law. This common-sense legislation will not solve PA's problems overnight, but it will begin a movement that will gain momentum and start correcting some of the injustices that we have lived with for decades.
If you feel the same way, join us.