Friend, did you see our message about the corrosive influence of oil money in the California State Legislature?

In poll after poll, voters have been very clear: They want their elected leaders to address the climate crisis.

So why isn’t this mandate from voters translating to action in Sacramento? Oil money and a lack of political courage from legislators.

The oil and gas industry is driving the agenda in Sacramento, friend. When over half of the Legislature takes oil money, it’s no surprise that just 12 of 27 priority climate bills passed in 2021.

We’re holding legislators accountable for accepting oil money and voting against climate action with our Environmental Scorecard and our advocacy and organizing efforts. Make a donation today to help us rid the Legislature of the destructive influence of corporate polluters.

- California Environmental Voters
(formerly California League of Conservation Voters)

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From: California Environmental Voters (formerly CLCV)
To: [email protected]
Date: March 23, 2022
Subject: Follow the money 💵

Friend,

It’s no mystery why California — for all its progressive potential — is failing to act on climate: Follow the money.

A shocking 63% of California legislators take oil money, including over half of Democrats!

Corporate polluters’ political influence has done irreparable damage to our public health and economy — and it could cost us our future.

In our 2021 Environmental Scorecard, the average score of a legislator who took oil money was a measly 46%. That’s not going to bring about the kind of bold action we need to solve the climate crisis.

Far too many of California’s elected officials are completely out of sync with their constituents. 70% of California voters, including over 90% of Democrats, want 100% renewable energy by 2035. Nearly two-third want all new vehicles sold in 2035 to produce zero polluting emissions. (Not to mention the fact that 79% of voters are more likely to support a candidate who doesn’t take fossil fuel money anyway.)

What we often hear from legislators while they’re running for office or while they’re back in their districts is that they are pro-climate action, but their actions are not matching up with their words. Last year, the Legislature once again failed to meet the moment and pass meaningful climate policy. As a result, we gave the state a D in our Scorecard.

2022 needs to be the year when actions speak louder than words. We can’t continue to kick the can down the road, ignoring the alarm bells that nature and climate scientists are ringing.

We’re already starting to see winds change this year. The California Democratic Party recently announced it will no longer accept oil, gas, or coal funding.

This is a huge win, and something that our accountability campaign from last fall drove home.

But it’s going to take a lot more to rid our political system of the corrosive influence of oil money. Will you make a donation today to support our accountability campaign to push legislators to vote on behalf of the voters, not oil companies?

Thanks for standing up to corporate polluters.

- California Environmental Voters
(formerly California League of Conservation Voters)

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), formerly California League of Conservation Voters, exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.