Tom Barrett for Governor

In the days since the worst oil disaster in American history began, many Wisconsinites have wondered if such a catastrophe could ever happen on our Great Lakes.
 
Oil behemoths like BP have been pressuring politicians for years to allow drilling in the Great Lakes. Thanks to the outcry of support from people like you, we've been able to stop them by securing bans on Great Lakes drilling.
 
Shockingly, the tragedy in the Gulf Coast still hasn't stopped extremists from maneuvering to lift these bans.
 
Just last week, a prominent leader of the far right-wing Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Michigan called on state and federal officials to lift the ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes -- even as the devastation to the environment and people's livelihood in the Gulf of Mexico continues to grow. This is an organization with deep ties to right-wing organizations in Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states.
 
We must make sure Great Lakes drilling bans remain intact. Please join me in calling for the renewal of bans on drilling in the Great Lakes today.
 
Our Great Lakes are home to thousands of miles of pristine shoreline and fragile ecosystems that also provide good-paying jobs to tens of thousands of Americans. Fisheries and outdoor recreation alone account for over $40 billion in economic activity annually for states in the region.
 
That is why I have always stood strong against attempts to drill for oil and gas in the Great Lakes. In 2001, I supported a federal ban on Great Lakes drilling, and in 2007 I stood up to BP when they were caught dumping tons of toxic sludge into Lake Michigan.
 
Will you join me in standing up again by signing our petition to renew the bans on drilling in the Great Lakes?
 
Every year Wisconsin families and businesses send $16 billion to other states and other countries for energy. As governor, I'll bring clean energy reform to Wisconsin, providing thousands of new good-paying jobs and reducing our dependence on big oil companies like BP and their reckless drilling projects.
 
In the meantime, we need to redouble our efforts to prevent future disasters like the tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico by renewing the bans on Great Lakes drilling now.
 
Thank you for your support,

Tom Barrett