Greenlee Partners
Encyclopedia
Greenlee Partners, LLC is a lobbying firm in Pennsylvania
, possibly best known as the Republican-leaning firm that represented the City of Philadelphia in the 1990s.
as Greenlee Associates. They changed their name to "Greenlee Partners" in 2000. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C.
, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. They are known for their connections to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge's
administration.
The firm produces a daily report on political activities called “Harrisburg Online.” In a 2002 article about the surprise resignation of Representative John E. Barley
, the political analysis from "Harrisburg Online" was quoted in the Sunday News of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
.
In 2009, the Pennsylvania Report
called Greenlee Partners "the gold-standard" of lobbying firms in Pennsylvania. In a 1997 article about Pittsburgh Power & Light's
lobbying presence in Harrisburg, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette called Greenlee Partners a "powerhouse firm." The same description was used in another 1997 article about a charitable event hosted by members of the Harrisburg lobbying community. In a 1998 article about alleged "astroturf
" lobbying efforts by AlliedSignal
, the Philadelphia Inquirer called Greenlee "one of the capital's most visible lobbying firms." In a 1998 article about Greenlee's lobbying on behalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers
and Pittsburgh Pirates
, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette called Greenlee "one of the best-known firms in Harrisburg."
Former Managing Director Robert Ewanco is paid $10,000 per month to lobby the Pennsylvania General Assembly
on behalf of the government of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
. The Dan Onorato
administration credits him with a "20-fold" return in the form of appropriations for a widening project on Pennsylvania Route 28
, as well as a footbridge
and security cameras at Duquesne University
.
was taken over by the Republicans in the 1990s, the City of Philadelphia hired Republican lobbyist Holly Kinser
and the Republican-leaning Greenlee Partners to lobby the House on its behalf. Under that lobbying contract, Kinser was instrumental in passing a rental-car tax that helped fund Philadelphia's new stadiums, the airport expansion funding, and the one percent hotel tax that fuels the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Amid a 2008 lawsuit about land use issues, the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
in Philadelphia alleged that Greenlee Partners and others "may be covertly directing and funding legal proceedings" against the hospital.
In 2008, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review questioned the necessity of the Port Authority of Allegheny County's
lobbying contract with Greenlee Partners and raised questions about the propriety of Greenlee's relationship with House Transportation Committee Chairman Rick Geist.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, possibly best known as the Republican-leaning firm that represented the City of Philadelphia in the 1990s.
Firm history
It was founded in 1980 by Bill GreenleeBill Greenlee
Bill Greenlee is a prominent lobbyist in Pennsylvania, where he is the founder of the Greenlee Partners lobbying firm.Greenlee first worked on political campaigns with William Scranton's 1962 campaign for Pennsylvania Governor. He worked on the staff of several legislators in the Pennsylvania House...
as Greenlee Associates. They changed their name to "Greenlee Partners" in 2000. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. They are known for their connections to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge's
Tom Ridge
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives , the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania , Assistant to the President for Homeland Security , and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security...
administration.
The firm produces a daily report on political activities called “Harrisburg Online.” In a 2002 article about the surprise resignation of Representative John E. Barley
John E. Barley
John E. Barley was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 100th District.He graduated from Penn Manor High School in 1963. He took Dale Carnegie Courses in 1977 and took an introductory law class at Penn University in 1990....
, the political analysis from "Harrisburg Online" was quoted in the Sunday News of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
.
In 2009, the Pennsylvania Report
Pennsylvania Report
The Pennsylvania Report is an independent bi-weekly subscription-based political newspaper published in Pennsylvania. It is "widely read by the state's political junkies." It was founded in 1985 by David Buffington, a former public relations worker for the Pennsylvania Government.It provides...
called Greenlee Partners "the gold-standard" of lobbying firms in Pennsylvania. In a 1997 article about Pittsburgh Power & Light's
PPL (utility)
PPL, formerly known as PP&L or Pennsylvania Power and Light, is an energy company headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. It currently controls about 19,000 megawatts of electrical generating capacity in the United States, primarily in Pennsylvania and Montana, and delivers electricity to...
lobbying presence in Harrisburg, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette called Greenlee Partners a "powerhouse firm." The same description was used in another 1997 article about a charitable event hosted by members of the Harrisburg lobbying community. In a 1998 article about alleged "astroturf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
" lobbying efforts by AlliedSignal
AlliedSignal
AlliedSignal was an aerospace, automotive and engineering company that acquired and merged with Honeywell for $15 billion in 1999, after which the new group adopted the Honeywell name.AlliedSignal was created through a 1985 merger of Allied Corp...
, the Philadelphia Inquirer called Greenlee "one of the capital's most visible lobbying firms." In a 1998 article about Greenlee's lobbying on behalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette called Greenlee "one of the best-known firms in Harrisburg."
Former Managing Director Robert Ewanco is paid $10,000 per month to lobby the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
on behalf of the government of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
. The Dan Onorato
Dan Onorato
Daniel "Dan" Onorato is the current Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Onorato won a crowded four-way primary to become the Democratic nominee for governor...
administration credits him with a "20-fold" return in the form of appropriations for a widening project on Pennsylvania Route 28
Pennsylvania Route 28
Pennsylvania Route 28 is a major state highway which runs for 97 miles from Interstate 279 and Interstate 579 at the Interstate 279 Interchange in Pittsburgh to U.S. Route 219 in Brockway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The expressway from Kittanning to Pittsburgh is called the Alexander H...
, as well as a footbridge
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
and security cameras at Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
.
Lobbying activities and issues
After the Pennsylvania House of RepresentativesPennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
was taken over by the Republicans in the 1990s, the City of Philadelphia hired Republican lobbyist Holly Kinser
Holly Kinser
Holly Kinser is a Pennsylvania lobbyist, where she is the Executive Vice President of S. R. Wojdak & Associates. As a lobbyist for the City of Philadelphia, she is credited with driving legislation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, including a rental-car and hotel tax, to help fund the...
and the Republican-leaning Greenlee Partners to lobby the House on its behalf. Under that lobbying contract, Kinser was instrumental in passing a rental-car tax that helped fund Philadelphia's new stadiums, the airport expansion funding, and the one percent hotel tax that fuels the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Amid a 2008 lawsuit about land use issues, the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Albert Einstein Medical Center
Albert Einstein Medical Center is a tertiary care teaching hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An important aspect of the medical center is that of educating graduating physicians. The medical center offers residency and fellowship training programs in many specialized areas...
in Philadelphia alleged that Greenlee Partners and others "may be covertly directing and funding legal proceedings" against the hospital.
In 2008, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review questioned the necessity of the Port Authority of Allegheny County's
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Port Authority of Allegheny County is the second-largest public transit agency in Pennsylvania and the 11th-largest in the United States. When considering that its service area is the 20th largest in the U.S...
lobbying contract with Greenlee Partners and raised questions about the propriety of Greenlee's relationship with House Transportation Committee Chairman Rick Geist.