Initiatives Issues
The mission of the SBCTAC is to support policies that promote fiscal responsibility, economic prosperity, property rights & public safety.
Throughout the year we will be active before the county board of supervisors and city councils throughout SB County in supporting and opposing proposed actions based on the Center's mission statement.
Stoker with his good friend Congressman Tom McClintock
Stoker with Congressman Salud Carbajal
As the Southwest Region Administrator responsible for serving 75 million people, Stoker coordinating EPA efforts in Navajo Nation in New Mexico.
Stoker on a facility tour
The Center will be playing a major role in local politics to support our mission. Through the creation of a separate Political Action Committee (PAC) board, the Center intends to:
Initiate a county-wide initiative to be put on the ballot in 2026 requiring term limits for county supervisors.
In 2028 initiate a county 'Good Government' initiative that will require county government to do several things to make county government more fiscally responsible, accountable, and transparent.
The Center PAC board will also be a major player in 2026 in promoting and financially supporting the right candidate to replace retiring County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino in the 5th Supervisorial District.
In 2028 we will be doing the same thing for a candidate in the 3rd Supervisorial District to replace retiring supervisor Joan Hartman and will be supporting the re-election of Supervisor Elect Roy Lee in the 1st Supervisorial District.
"Santa Barbara County has needed a viable taxpayer advocacy organization for quite some time, and I am confident SBCTAC is that group. They will support good government policies, oppose bad ones, and advocate for taxpayers and businesses of all sizes in an ever-changing regulatory environment."
- Supervisor Steve Lavagnino
Recommendations
SBCTAC OPPOSES THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA'S PROPOSAL TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES. VOTE NO ON MEASURE I-SEE ATTACHED OPPOSITION STATEMENT THAT APPEARS IN THE VOTER GUIDE. The SBCTAC recommends a NO vote on Measure I in the City of Santa Barbara.
Issues & Recommendations
You can email your letter to: MikeStoker@aol.com
6/24/25 In a significant victory for agricultural employers who obtain workers through the H2A program, the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Wage & Hour Division, suspended enforcement of the 'H2A Farmworker Protection Rule Enforcement Guidance.' These rules were promulgated during the Biden Administration, rubber-stamping what organized labor wanted to help organize farm workers.
8/5/25 I am very pleased to be able to announce that I have joined the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Philips as an Energy & Environment 'National Advisor.' It’s truly an honor at this point in my life to join such an outstanding and prestigious law firm. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with everyone I’ve worked with at Manatt in my prior professional roles. To work with them, now as a colleague, and to help them help their clients achieve the outcomes they are looking for, is an opportunity I welcome and look forward to.
9/13/25 The Santa Barbara County Taxpayer Advocacy Center (SBCTAC) is a non-profit advocacy organization representing over 300 businesses in the Central Coast. I am writing to advise you of our support, if amended, of Senate Bill 237.
9/29/25 The first is Prop. 50, which is on the ballot THIS NOVEMBER as a result of the Governor and Legislature calling for a special election. This initiative is nothing more than a political ploy by the Governor to keep his face in the national headlines.
10/06/25 Dear Governor Newsom, On behalf of the over 300 business members of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayer Advocacy Center (SBCTAC),I am writing to urge you to take the necessary steps to grant Sable the permits needed to restart the Las Flores Pipeline System.