The Executive Board of the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) voted Jan. 28 to oppose Initiative 732, a statewide ballot measure that would create a new tax on carbon emissions while cutting other state taxes.
WSLC President Jeff Johnson said that although I-732 proponents intended the measure to be “revenue neutral,” the state Department of Revenue now estimates it will cost the state $914 million over the next four years.
“At a time our state is struggling to fund basic services — including public schools, mental health facilities, and many other essential services — I-732 would send Washington in the wrong direction and create more damaging austerity choices,” Johnson said.
The WSLC is part of the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, a coalition of labor, environmental, business, and community groups working on a comprehensive carbon policy that addresses I-732’s shortcomings.
