February 2016

Hello carbon tax friends: We had about 80 folks turn out for Lobby Day on Tuesday (!), so if you came then Thank You and if you didn’t then you can still contact your legislator directly! Read on for more news from Olympia, for a Fiscal Note update, and for media stories about I-732 and beyond.

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As the bright full moon set and the pre-dawn fog lifted to reveal a crisp and clear February morning, nearly 80 supporters arrived in Olympia to participate in meetings scheduled with legislators in 22 districts across the state. Traveling largely by carpool, participants arrived ready to talk to their legislators about the importance of taking climate action and request endorsements for I-732. more


This op-ed piece was written by Carbon Washington co-chair Joe Ryan and published in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News on Monday, Feb. 22.

The 2015 wildfire season was the worst on record in Washington. Wildfires burned at least 300 homes, more than one million acres and caused $340 million in damages across the state. Three Twisp firefighters were killed and another was severely injured. Further, 2015 was another catastrophic drought emergency year, severely impacting irrigated agriculture and our quality of life. Unless something is done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, years like 2015 will become the “new normal.” more


Interfaith Works Board of Directors Endorses Initiative 732, Clean Energy for Our Children’s Future

With support of the Earth Stewards of Interfaith Works, the Interfaith Works Board of Directors has unanimously adopted the following motion: “People of faith worldwide bring a crucial spiritual and moral voice to the issue of climate change and the pressing need to act boldly. The Interfaith Works Board of Directors finds that passage of Initiative 732 would be an important step forward in combating climate change and therefore endorses I-732 . . .” more


Renewable energy executive Ed Mahlum and Carbon Washington co-chair Joe Ryan say Initiative 732 will reduce dirty fossil fuel pollution without raising taxes, and increase the strength and competitiveness of our economy. Read their op-ed piece in the Spokane Spokesman-Review. more


Hello carbon tax friends: This week we’ve got more news from Olympia, including your last chance to RSVP for Lobby Day on Tuesday Feb 23!

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Hello carbon tax friends: Lots of activity in Olympia this week: our first hearing in the State Senate, an op-ed in The Olympian… and RSVP for Lobby Day for Tuesday Feb 23! (You can also try out our snazzy new form to contact your legislator directly.) more


CarbonWA at 732 hearing

Fifty supporters of I-732 attended Tuesday’s hearing on I-732 before the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee. About 30 of them testified in support of the measure. You can watch a replay here.

You can also read about the hearing in the Seattle Weekly and EarthFix, and read testimony from supporters below.

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State fiscal office miscalculates carbon initiative’s revenue stream

Carbon Washington co-chair Yoram Bauman writes in The Olympian that a state analysis claiming I-732 causes a $900 million shortfall makes faulty assumptions.

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Hello carbon tax friends: Initiative 732 has its first hearing scheduled for next week!

Tuesday morning in Olympia I-732 will have a hearing in front of the Senate. We hope you will join us to show your support for I-732.

When: Tuesday 2/9/16 at 8:00am

Where: John Cherberg Building, First Floor, Senate Hearing Room #4 Olympia, WA (Google map here | Campus Map PDF here)

Senate hearing room rules: Here.

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