by John Franco and Hildegard Nichols
October 6, 2016

The Green Party of Seattle endorsed I-732, The Washington Carbon Emission Tax and Sales Tax Reduction, by an 8-to-1 majority. It was an honest, respectful exchange of thoughts that led to the endorsement, but it was not an easy process. A controversial debate during the August General Membership meeting led to a postponement of the decision by a month, to give time for further research and social media discussions.

Green Party member Hildegard Nichols pointed to the very high mineral oil tax in Germany, making gasoline there about twice as expensive as here. Not coincidentally, the average German carbon footprint is less than half of the American one, while renewables are booming over there. A price on carbon can work!

But noteworthy arguments against it were also made, mainly out of concern for overly burdening the poor and people of color. As Green Party member Shawn Abdul put it: “This plan completely ignores working poor individuals. This group has a far greater chance of being pushed into homelessness by increasing rents and utilities.” Also, carbon tax exemptions for big polluters were seen critically.

Yet the urgency of the climate crisis and our moral obligation towards the hard-hit global South weighed even stronger. There was consensus that the Green Party will continue to monitor and speak up against locally problematic aspects of the carbon tax. Facebook user David Bain suggested: “We can work with the legislature to offset carbon costs for the poor.”

Since the Seattle Greens have partnered with the Laguna Greens in the Philippines in March this year, they are especially sensitive to global environmental justice issues. As the greatest single emitter of greenhouse gases in modern history, the United States bears, in their opinion, the obligation to lead the way in reducing those emissions now.

The injustice to countries such as the Philippines and Bangladesh is immense. These countries have contributed less than one percent of the total greenhouse gases to the atmosphere the United States has, and they currently emit less than ten percent of what the United States does, per capita. Populations in the Global South already are suffering severe effects of climate disruption with much worse to come, so the wealthy North has to do as much as possible to soften the effects.

At home, the carbon tax is meant to push consumers, institutions and the industry towards avoiding fossil fuels, while turning to renewables. The increases in price will be moderate at first, but go up continuously over the years, and will be noticeable and effective soon. The revenue from the carbon tax will not go to the state, but will be spent on lowering the sales tax and funding the Working Families Tax Rebate. Which might appeal to a whole different set of voters, giving the Initiative a good chance to succeed.

In the context of Washington’s notoriously regressive tax system, I-732 represents the most progressive tax reform since the sales tax exemption for groceries was enacted in 1978! If it works as intended, the Initiative will leave most low income families financially better off than before, while still lowering carbon emissions statewide. This might come as a surprise to those concerned with an unfair share of the burden. Others already know it, like Facebook user John M.: “I-732 does far more good than bad for the poor—I should know. Lower sales tax, and funds the Working Families Tax Credit for the first time ever.”

The Green Party of Seattle recognizes that I-732 is not a complete solution for climate legislation or economic equity. But smaller generally is better, to make ballot initiatives easier to understand and decide on. Greens will continue to campaign for a state income tax and other progressive tax reforms, for tighter regulations on local polluters that disproportionately harm less-privileged communities, and for all aspects of the Green New Deal proposed by the national Green Party.

Washington already has played a leading role in state-by-state movements to break federal stalemates on gay marriage, marijuana legalization, and raising the minimum wage. Putting a price on carbon would again put Washington in the forefront of important societal change. Even the opponents of the Initiative want progress in climate policies, like Margaret R. put it: “Very disappointing, but the majority has spoken. Hope we can do real work moving forward that helps people make different choices concerning how we power our lives. And still fight against the extraction and shipment of fossil fuels to out of state.”

While Hurricane Matthew is devastating the Caribbean, Seattle Greens urge Washingtonians not to allow the moderate Northwestern Climate to lull them into complacency, but to act now and vote for I-732. It might only be a first step, but it is an important one to enter the age of climate protection and energy transition in Washington State.

CONTACT

To learn more about the endorsement, please contact
John Franco
Tel. (206) 547-2824, e-mail [email protected]
or
Hildegard Nichols
Tel. (206) 852-9875, e-mail [email protected]