A coalition of environmental and social justice groups in Washington state oppose I-732, the $25/metric ton carbon tax ballot initiative supported by some of the state’s GOP lawmakers.
The member organizations of the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy claim the measure doesn’t do enough to protect low income households. However, a counterproposal supported by the Alliance would designate 75 percent of carbon tax revenues to clean energy and 25 percent to disadvantaged communities, whereas about 75 percent of revenues under I-732 would lower Washington’s sales tax by one percent and provide a match of up to $1500 of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income working families. The measure would also eliminate the Business and Occupation tax for manufacturers.
I-732 will be voted on in November.