California Working Families Party targets three lawmakers: Tim Grayson, Melissa Hurtado and Blanca Rubio
For immediate release:
January 22, 2024
Sacramento, California — As California’s 2024 legislative session begins, the California Working Families Party (CA WFP) is launching a three-pronged poster campaign today to denounce the strong influence that Big Oil still retains over California politics. The panels denounce three Democratic lawmakers who took money out of fossil fuels and voted for the industry’s agenda. These lawmakers illustrate how big oil companies retain power in Sacramento, as nearly two-thirds of fossil fuel donations went to Democratic state lawmakers last year.
Despite California’s bold steps to hold polluters accountable, from suing big oil companies for the climate damage they’ve caused to passing laws requiring big companies to disclose their carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, only a handful of Democratic state lawmakers can block action on climate and consumer protections. Analysis by the California Working Families Party reveals that these Democrats consistently support the interests of big oil, often in conflict with their voters’ progressive voting history.
Latest billboard campaign draws attention to three elected officials who, based on their voting records and campaign finance trends, prioritize the interests of the oil and gas industry over the good -be from their communities. These billboards are strategically located in three state legislature districts: Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D – Concord), State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D – Bakersfield) and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D – Covina)highlighting their financial ties to the oil and gas industry and their voting history.
“Our communities are literally choking from pollution and smoke from fossil fuel-fueled wildfires. The California Working Families Party highlights elected officials who prioritize the profits of polluters over everyday Californians. Our democracy demands integrity, not votes for pay,” said Jane Kim, state director of the CA Working Families Party.
The California Working Families Party’s analysis concludes:
- Assembly Member Tim Grayson elected in 2016, received $192,601 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies.
- Major contributors include PBF Energy, Marathon Petroleum and Chevron, some of California’s largest refiners.
- Two of these refineries operate in the Grayson District, which includes major polluting refineries in Martinez, owned by PBF Energy and Marathon Petroleum.
- His district also has 26 oil and gas wells, including seven unused wells, and 17 of them are reportedly leaking harmful chemicals like methane and benzene.
- Grayson’s voting record in 2023 and 2022 shows alignment with the fossil fuel industry over community interests.
- He voted against or abstained from voting on legislation making oil companies responsible for cleaning up unused oil wells (AB 1167), requiring companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and financial risks linked to climate change (SB 253 and SB 261) and protecting communities from new oil. drilling near homes, schools and sensitive sites (SB 1137).
- Senator Melissa Hurtadoelected in 2018, received $79,500 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies during her term.
- Notable contributors include Chevron, the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA), and PBF Energy.
- Chevron is a major driller in the Hurtado district; CIPA represents the Central Valley’s dominant oil companies, and PBF Energy is one of California’s largest refiners.
- The Hurtado district has 35,321 oil and gas wells, of which 11,431 are idle, posing risks to public health, groundwater and the climate.
- Despite calls for urgent action, Hurtado’s record suggests a potential reluctance to support measures requiring oil companies to address idle wells.
- In 2023 and 2022, Hurtado’s voting record shows alignment with the fossil fuel industry over community interests.
- She voted against or abstained from voting on legislation making oil companies responsible for cleaning up unused wells (AB 1167), requiring disclosure by companies of financial risks related to climate change (SB 261), and protecting communities against new oil drilling near homes, schools and sensitive places. construction sites (SB 1137)
- Assembly member Blanca Rubio First elected in 2016, received a total of $273,198 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies during her term.
- Major contributors include Chevron, Sempra Energy, Phillips 66, Valero Energy and the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA).
- Despite the lack of a visible fossil fuel industry in his district, Rubio ranks first in California for money received from oil and gas interests in 2023.
- In 2023 and 2022, Rubio’s voting record indicates alignment with the fossil fuel industry over community interests.
- She voted against or abstained from voting on legislation making oil companies responsible for cleaning up unused oil wells (AB 1167), requiring companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and financial risks related to climate change (SB 253 and SB 261) and protecting communities from new oil. drilling near homes, schools and sensitive sites (SB 1137).
“I grew up and live in the Central Valley, and it’s disheartening to see our politicians prioritize fossil fuel profits over our health. We are choking from pollution and climate change impacts our community every day. It’s time they are held accountable for selling out our health to the highest bidder. We deserve representatives who prioritize our well-being over corporate interests,” said Alicia Olivarez, WFP board member and associate director of PowerCA Action.
“In the face of growing challenges posed by the political influence of fossil fuel money, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a more just, equitable and sustainable future for all Californians. This campaign is a testament to our continued efforts to ensure that the voices of the marginalized are not drowned out by corporate interests and that our political landscape truly meets the needs of the people we represent. said Christina Livingston, Chair of the CA PAM Steering Committee and Executive Director of ACCE Action.
“Enough is enough. Our politicians must be held accountable for their cozy relationships with fossil fuel interests. It’s time to take action and demand transparency. Our future depends on it, and we will not stand by crossed as our elected officials prioritize fossil fuel profits over the well-being of our communities. said Tomás Rebecchi, CA PAM policy committee member and Central Coast organizing lead at Food & Water Watch.
CA WFP calls on elected officials to abandon their ties to the oil and gas industry to keep promises to control greenhouse gases, protect residents from harmful air pollution and hold polluters accountable for predatory pricing practices abusive at the pump.
For more general information and context on these billboards, please contact Alexandra Nagy at [email protected].
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The Working Families Party is the progressive party of the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. WFP members and elected leaders are on the front lines in the fight for good jobs and higher wages, clean air and water, affordable housing, and strong, safe communities.
