846

N. Broad St., 2nd Fl Philadelphia Pa 19130 215-839-3390 www.actionunited.org

October 29, 2015

Councilman Jones,

We are writing to express our surprise and dismay that your office plans on co-hosting a tour of fracking
infrastructure with the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the industry front group that is directly responsible for
prolonging Pennsylvanias budget crisis and directly denying Philadelphia critical education funding.

Over the past several months, Marcellus Shale Coalition has funneled millions of dollars towards an
advertising and lobbying campaign intended to derail Governor Wolfs proposed budget and deprive
Philadelphias education system of the funding it needs. Marcellus Shale Coalition firmly opposes Governor
Wolfs proposed tax on fracking, which would generate revenues for the states struggling education system.
They have pushed Republicans in Harrisburg prioritize corporate profits for the fracking industry over a
functional education system.

Marcellus Shale Coalitions antics have thrown Harrisburg into a tailspin. Not only have they deprived
Philadelphias school system of the funding it would otherwise be receiving from Gov. Wolfs fracking tax;
their intransigence has led to a months-long budget standoff that is depriving Philadelphians of other critical
social services.

Marcellus Shale Coalitions success in fighting Governor Wolfs budget has been at the expense of millions of
Pennsylvanians who need a fully funded education system and adequate social services. Your coordinated
tour of fracking infrastructure will only empower the gas industry and their Republican allies in the budget
debate beyond their opposition to the fracking tax, and that inadequate funding for education and basic social
services will continue for the foreseeable future.

We urge you to remove your office as a sponsor of this tour, and to instruct your staff that they should focus
on serving your constituents in your Philadelphia office, rather than spending the day with the industry front
group responsible for undermining the health of Philadelphias education system. Instead of attending
tomorrows tour, we request that you meet with our leaders to discuss the health and safety issues posed by
the expansion of fracking infrastructure in Philadelphia.

Sincerely,

Kia Philpot-Hinton, President
ACTION United