Garrity’s office rejected records request that could expose corruption

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s office refused to fulfill a public records request regarding a change she made to the state’s investment strategy.

In 2022, Garrity oversaw an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) revision that ended the state’s practice of considering the environmental and social impacts of its investments. Observers said the move would directly benefit the natural gas industry, with which Garrity has close ties.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party filed a request in April seeking all communications Garrity had about the revision. The request was filed under the state’s Right-to-Know Law, which gives government agencies five days to fulfill citizens’ requests for public records.

More than a month passed before the Pennsylvania Treasury refused the request, asserting that it was a “fishing expedition” and “akin to political opposition research.”

Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law requires public record requests to be for specific documents from a specific time period. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party filing met these criteria. The law does not permit agencies to deny requests for political reasons.

Prior to the revision, Pennsylvania practiced ESG investing, which evaluates companies based on their environmental, social, and governance impacts. Both President Donald Trump and the fossil fuel industry have pressured state lawmakers to oppose the practice.

Proponents of ESG investing argue that it generates capital while also improving the world and encouraging corporations to adopt more ethical protocols.

Garrity is now the Republican candidate for governor and will face an electorate that is growing increasingly weary of government corruption. A Brennan Center survey found that 92% of voters now view corruption as a major political issue.

Last month, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Garrity receives income from two natural gas companies. Her campaign described this income as “modest royalties” but refused to disclose the exact amount or explain why she receives it, saying only that “it is part of her private property.”

Garrity will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in the general election.