Len Schoettker suggests that I sold my soul because my campaign committee received $5,000 from coal, oil and gas industries.

Schoettker, whose letter to the editor “ ‘Math’ doesn’t add up” was printed in the Eagle’s Nov. 22 edition, even implied that I might have evaded campaign finance laws by receiving indirect benefits outside the law.

To be clear, I have not, and Schoettker should have some evidence before making such a public accusation against me, Gov.-elect Tom Corbett or any other elected official.

Have we really reached the point in public discourse where someone must have an ulterior motive because they oppose a tax increase?

Schoettker also would have readers believe that I am an industry apologist. To be sure, I am proud of my history with Quaker State; it was a good employer in our region, and we lost it to Texas because of Pennsylvania’s business climate.

So I make no apologies about being excited over the prospects of Marcellus Shale. I also have been a strong supporter of ensuring that drilling is done right.

I voted for higher permitting fees on industry that have allowed doubling of the number of state Department of Environmental Protection inspectors.