Rein in the winter static

Winter is here and  my furnace is running, the house is dry. Playing records is a nightmare. I have a VPI prime table with the stock felt mat. The static is so bad that the mat clings to record when I remove it.

I'm also concerned about sending a static charge through the system. Any suggestions for controlling static during the winter months? I'm also wondering if a cork mat would be less conducive to static.