Freshman Congresswoman Mary Fallin, along with three of her Oklahoma Congressional colleagues (Cong. Frank Lucas did not vote), voted against eliminating federal subsidies and tax breaks for the oil and gas companies. Fallin cited concerns that the bill would violate valid leasing contracts, setting up a potential legal quagmire and financial bonanza for attorneys. "It opens up the floodgates for taking litigation," said Representative Mary Fallin, this is a trial lawyer’s dream bill." The bill also includes language that directs money to renewable energy projects. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s said this bill is only the start of an "aggressive effort" to address the nation’s energy needs and climate change by "investing in American ingenuity." Sounds like good old fashioned, Soviet style, state economy planning to us. If the private sector doesn't sense a potential future profit in investing in renewal fuel research, then what does Nancy Pelosi see that the private sector doesn't? Mrs. Speaker, "American ingenuity" is sparked by ideas and the profit motive, not the government deciding where to allocate tax revenues. Posted at 1/19/2007 10:18:00 AM