QUOTE
Firm Saw Link in Favor, Donations
4 Republicans Deny Aiding Utility for Contributions
By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 6, 2003; Page A01
Executives of a Kansas-based energy company believed that $56,500 in donations to political groups linked to four key Republican lawmakers last year would prompt Congress to exempt their firm from a problematic federal regulation, according to documents disclosed as part of a federal investigation of the company.
One executive of Westar Energy Inc. told colleagues in an e-mail that \"we have a plan for participation to get a seat at the table\" of a House-Senate conference committee on the Bush administration's energy plan. The cost, he wrote, would be $56,500 to campaign committees, including some associated with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Tex.), Rep. Joe Barton (Tex.), Rep. W.J. \"Billy\" Tauzin (La.) and Sen. Richard C. Shelby (Ala.).
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The Kansas City Star reported some details of the Westar e-mails last month.
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4 Republicans Deny Aiding Utility for Contributions
By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 6, 2003; Page A01
Executives of a Kansas-based energy company believed that $56,500 in donations to political groups linked to four key Republican lawmakers last year would prompt Congress to exempt their firm from a problematic federal regulation, according to documents disclosed as part of a federal investigation of the company.
One executive of Westar Energy Inc. told colleagues in an e-mail that \"we have a plan for participation to get a seat at the table\" of a House-Senate conference committee on the Bush administration's energy plan. The cost, he wrote, would be $56,500 to campaign committees, including some associated with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Tex.), Rep. Joe Barton (Tex.), Rep. W.J. \"Billy\" Tauzin (La.) and Sen. Richard C. Shelby (Ala.).
....
The Kansas City Star reported some details of the Westar e-mails last month.
....