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Climate Change Initiative 732 Certified by Secretary of State

With over 363,000 signatures submitted, I-732 demonstrates broad support for policy that will reduce carbon emissions while providing much-needed tax reform

SEATTLE, January 25, 2016 — Washington’s Secretary of State has certified Initiative 732, a bipartisan proposal that will reduce carbon emissions in Washington State without hurting economic growth. Carbon Washington, the grassroots organization behind I-732, submitted more than 363,000 signatures from citizens around the state.

The measure is now in the hands of the state legislature. They can adopt it during the current session, send it to the November general election ballot, or write their own version and send both versions to the ballot.

“Carbon Washington has a message for the more than 363,000 people who signed the petition for Initiative 732: Thank you for getting us here!” said Yoram Bauman, PhD economist and co-founder of Carbon Washington. “We have a moral responsibility to our children and future generations to protect them. That means tackling climate change now, and leaving them a cleaner, healthier, safer world. We are asking voters to write to their state senators and representatives to express their support for quick passage in the legislature.”

“I-732 is a smart, effective way to move forward with climate action,” said Sharon Nelson, former Consumer Reports board chair, former chair of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, and Carbon Washington board member. “This simple, non-bureaucratic, market-based policy can be supported by anyone, no matter where they fall on the political spectrum. Taxing pollution, not people, simply makes sense.”

I-732 is designed to move the state toward two goals – cleaner energy and fairer taxes – with the following policy changes:

• Tax pollution, not people. I-732 will add a $25 per ton tax to polluting fossil fuels
• Pay less at the cash register. Reduce the state sales tax by one percentage point, putting hundreds of dollars a year back into the pockets of each household in Washington
• Fund an Earned Income Tax Credit for working families. Fund the Working Families Tax Rebate to provide up to $1,500 a year for 400,000 low-income households
• Reduce the Business & Occupation tax on manufacturing. Keep living-wage jobs in Washington by effectively eliminating the Business and Occupation Tax on manufacturing

About Carbon Washington

Carbon Washington is a bipartisan grassroots group of scientists, economists, former elected officials, business owners and concerned citizens focused on seeking a solution to climate change that works for businesses and households around the state. The groups developed Initiative 732 as a revenue-neutral approach to tax carbon pollution while encouraging economic growth for families and businesses in Washington. To learn more about I-732, view endorsements from around the state and get involved, visit YesOn732.org and follow on twitter @carbonwa.

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