What’s Big Oil Paying For?

If there is one clear message of the 2016 elections to date, it is that voters are fed up with politicians who use their leadership position to serve big contributors’ interests over the public good.

Big oil has no secret about its goals for Santa Barbara County: more oil drilling, more oil processing, more pollution, and as little regulation as possible. Big oil has just put up more than $60,000, and undoubtedly promised more, to defeat Joan Hartmann, the 3rd District Supervisorial candidate with a proven record of demanding corporate environmental responsibility.

When you see an ad attacking Joan Hartmann, or one praising Bruce Porter who is receiving big oil’s largesse, think about why big oil paid for that ad. They hope to wrest control of Santa Barbara County from the longtime environmental majority. The impact would be immediate and will cause irreversible damage.

If having the future of our county decided by big oil scares you, please check out Joan Hartmann’s record. She will give everyone a fair hearing and balanced decision, but she will owe her allegiance only to our communities, not just to those who want quick and easy profits.