Category: News
TVW, the statewide cable public affairs network, has released its video voters’ guide to 2016 political races and ballot initiatives. Gail Gatton, executive director of Audubon Washington, speaks in favor of Initiative 732:
“When my children were little, they spent hours helping their grandfather feed and watch hummingbirds. As I came to understand that climate change was threatening the existence of these birds, I recognized that we have a moral obligation to take action on climate for the sake of all life on earth, including our own children and grandchildren. I support I-732 because I want to do everything possible to make the future one where my children can continue to see hummingbirds . . .”
Watch Gail’s complete statement on TVW.
In this week’s Blabbermouth podcast, The Stranger’s Eli Sanders hosts a debate between Ramez Naam, representing Yes on 732, and Jill Mangaliman from Front and Centered, over whether Washington State voters should approve I-732. Sanders notes, “This isn’t the usual debate between global warming deniers and people who want to tax big oil in order to save the planet. It’s a different kind of debate, a debate between people on the left and people on the further left. At issue: whether this particular carbon tax is progressive enough when it comes to helping disadvantaged communities.” We encourage you to listen to the podcast, share it with friends, and let us know what you think.
LISTEN (starts at 12:15)
Here at the Yes on 732 campaign we believe that we have a moral obligation to take action on climate, for the sake of those of us around today and for our children and grandchildren. In contrast, the attitude of the AWB (the Association of Washington Business, which opposes 732) can perhaps best be described by Dennis Miller, the comedian who is keynoting their policy summit in 2 weeks. Back in 2003 his view about global warming and his grandchildren was that “I’ll just tell them we moved to Phoenix or something.” Not much has changed in the intervening years because two months ago he told Fox News that “I think it’s hot out there because the sun is hot.” Make sure to remember that the next time you hear greenwashing from the AWB, like their quote to the Seattle Times a few weeks ago that “We agree that we need to do something in Washington on climate.”
PRESS RELEASE
“I-732 is the best framework for environmental protection that won’t break the bank”
Sen. Joe Fain, R-47
SEATTLE, August 19, 2016 – Senator Joe Fain (R) joins an expanding group of Republican legislators endorsing Initiative 732, the country’s first revenue-neutral carbon tax initiative. Economists across the political spectrum agree that the most important thing that we can do to take action on climate is to put a price on carbon. I-732’s revenue-neutral approach to carbon pricing, which encourages clean energy solutions by shifting the tax burden onto carbon pollution and away from regressive and burdensome taxes that hurt families and businesses, has proven to be an attractive model for legislators and concerned citizens with a variety of political views. Sen. Fain’s support builds on recent endorsements from Sen. Mark Miloscia (R), Sen. Steve Litzow (R), former State Senator Bill Finkbeiner (R), former Secretary of State George Shultz (R), and legislators on both sides of the aisle.
Click here for tickets to see Cliff Mass!
Wednesday, Sept. 28 — 6 to 8:30 p.m.
University of Washington – Kane Hall
Climate Surprise: Unexpected Impacts of Global Warming in the Pacific Northwest
Presented by the Yes On I-732 Campaign and Audubon Washington
- 6 p.m. VIP Wine and Cheese Reception – $100 (Early-Bird Pricing)
- 7:30 p.m. Presentation by Cliff Mass – $20
All proceeds help pass I-732: The Climate Change Initiative
To purchase tickets, please visit our Eventbrite page.
Access a printable flyer here.
NEW! Read Cliff’s latest blog post about Initiative 732.
As Election Day draws closer, interest in I-732 is growing. Here are four top stories from the past week:
Seattle Times: Carbon-tax initiative backers press campaign despite green opposition by Hal Bernton
Tacoma News Tribune: Does I-732 go far enough? Progressives can’t seem to agree by Matt Driscoll
Tri-City Herald: Carbon tax proposal a practical step to limit climate change by Steve Ghan
Seattle Business: The Case for a Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax in Washington State by Mike Vaska
Also, I-732 campaign co-chair Yoram Bauman recently debated Puget Sound Sage Executive Director Rebecca Soldana before the Seattle Times editorial board. You can watch their exchange on TVW, the statewide public affairs network.
PRESS RELEASE
“It is time to take the politics out of the climate change debate”
SEATTLE, August 16, 2016 – Demonstrating growing bipartisan support for Initiative 732, the country’s first revenue-neutral carbon tax initiative appearing on the November ballot, Republican Senator 
Mark Miloscia joined Republican Senator Steve Litzow, former Republican State Senator Bill Finkbeiner, former Republican Secretary of State George Shultz, and a growing list of legislators on both sides of the aisle who have endorsed I-732. A bipartisan coalition of support is critical to passing I-732 in Washington in November, and inspiring carbon pricing policies elsewhere across the country that will protect our children and future generations from the harmful impacts of climate change.
Yoram Bauman, co-chair of the Yes on 732 campaign, recently had a lively exchange with Jeff Johnson, president of the Washington State Labor Council, at a debate sponsored by Bellingham City Club. Both presented their views on Initiative 732 — Bauman supporting its effectiveness in reducing carbon emissions and increasing tax fairness, and Johnson explaining why he opposes it. Watch the debate.
Seattle-based Fox News Channel reporter Dan Springer recently covered the opposition I-732 has attracted from several environmental groups. Watch his report.
Springer mentions that I-732 was recently endorsed by Audubon Washington. “We are thrilled to have Audubon Washington, an organization with a steadfast commitment to conservation and environmental protection, supporting the Yes on I-732 campaign,” said Joe Ryan, campaign co-chair. “Audubon has been at the forefront of research and awareness related to the devastation global warming will have on birds and other wildlife. The clear human impact of increased drought, wildfires, sea level rise, and other damaging impacts of climate change underscores the moral urgency to take climate action now. We are eager to work together to pass I-732.”
Sightline Institute, a sustainability think tank, has addressed the criticisms by I-732’s opponents. Their conclusion: “. . . for us at Sightline, and judged exclusively on the basis of policy, not politics or political strategy, the policy’s flaws are cause for concern but are dwarfed by I-732’s potential benefits.”
Speak Up! Speak Out! — a weekly radio show committed to community, peace, justice, and non-violence issues — recently interviewed I-732 campaign co-director Kyle Murphy. The program airs on community radio stations in Mt. Vernon, Bellingham, Friday Harbor and Olympia. Kyle and program host Jodie Buller discuss the grassroots energy behind the initiative, how it fights poverty and makes the state’s tax code more fair, and why it’s urgent to pass the measure in November.
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Our region’s success came bc we struck a balance btw protecting our environment & encouraging economic development. https://t.co/9S1kZifCAW
I-732 aims to make our tax system fairer & more sustainable. Most households & businesses will end up paying about the same in state taxes.
Denying climate change is a privilege of those whose well-being isn't impacted by it everyday. #ActOnClimate. https://t.co/7HBPTS82CE
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