Los Angeles – Hundreds of Californians descended on the offices of Occidental Petroleum in Los Angeles today, calling on our state elected leaders to end a $1.2 billion annual tax giveaway to Occidental and other large oil producers. Marching from the Federal Building in Westwood to the oil giant’s offices were Child care providers, school employees, social workers, college students, and community members. They descended to the oil giant’s offices to say that closing the loophole in the state budget could protect education and social services from deeper cuts.

“Oil companies like Occidental have abused California’s broken budget system and squeezed California’s taxpayers for giveaways for too long.  It’s time for Big Oil to do its part for California.” said Marlene Allen, an LA County social service provider and member of SEIU Local 721.  “We need to rebuild California, and that means investing in our economic recovery, saving vital services and jobs and strengthening our schools, colleges and healthcare.  We can’t keep giving away billions each year to big oil companies and other corporations.”

“People who say California doesn’t have a choice but to cut schools, seniors, child care and healthcare are flat-out wrong.  Our state elected leaders  have a choice: whether to help ordinary Californians or keep giving away our tax dollars to Big Oil and other corporations,” said Monica Mitchell a student and working mother whose child care support would be cut.  

Monica was one of hundreds of working parents, students, and community members who taped a note on Occidental’s front door explaining what could happen to them if the legislature and the governor choose to give away our tax dollars to big oil rather than helping ordinary Californians by funding schools, and services for the elderly and people with disabilities.

As part of today’s efforts a new website was launched, www.letsrebuildca.org – where Californians can learn more about rebuilding California and sign a petition to support a budget that protects services and asks major corporations to do their part.