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It is currently Wed Apr 24, 2024 9:12 am
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[ 6 posts ] |
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31st District Legislator Rejects Insthlee's Carbon Tax
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jukk0u
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Location: Lynnwood and at large Joined: Wed May 1, 2013 Posts: 21292
Real Name: Vick Lagina
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and comes up with a more reasoned approach.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, Gov. Inslee and former U.S. Sen. and Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Legislature to lobby for the governor’s carbon tax. I wanted to tell you about this proposal, share my opinion, and ask for your thoughts as well.
The governor’s plan would tax carbon emissions generated by transportation fuels and power plants at $20 per metric ton (which has been amended to $12 per ton by a Senate committee) beginning in July 2019. The tax would increase by 3.5 percent, plus inflation, each year after that.
The proposal would raise approximately $1.5 billion per biennium in new taxes. This revenue would be deposited into a separate fund, most of which would be used to make “direct investments” in “clean energy technologies.”
Personally, I have several concerns with this proposal:
Rep. Stokesbary during floor debate on Feb. 7, 2018.First, experts believe this would raise the cost of gasoline by about 20 cents per gallon, and the governor’s own staff acknowledged consumers would see electricity and natural gas prices increase by 5-10 percent (plus future annual increases of 3.5 percent, plus inflation). These costs would represent a significant burden to working families.
Second, while the purported goal of a carbon tax is to make carbon pollution more expensive (thereby incentivizing businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon emissions), even proponents of this specific proposal have admitted that the anticipated increase in energy prices wouldn’t be substantial enough to affect consumer behavior.
Third, I question the state’s ability to wisely and prudently decide which “clean energy technologies” to make investments in and the amount of such investments. We’ve all seen the problems when the government attempts to pick winners and losers, and I believe the private sector is better-equipped to make investment decisions than the state.
In my opinion, a better approach is like the one outlined by House Bill 2283, proposed by my Republican colleague, Rep. Richard DeBolt, which passed out of the House Technology and Economic Development Committee with a strong, bipartisan vote of 13-4. That bill would establish tax incentives for businesses and utility companies who invest in renewable energy and carbon reduction. Rather than imposing mandates and new taxes, it reduces carbon by rewarding innovation.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the proposal though. And if you have any questions on this issue or any others before the Legislature, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Warmly,
Drew Stokesbary
_________________ “Finding ‘common ground’ with the thinking of evil men is a fool’s errand” ~ Herschel Smith
"The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." ~ Samuel Adams
“A return to First Principles in a Republic is sometimes caused by simple virtues of a single man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example. Before all else, be armed!” ~ Niccolo Machiavelli
Láodòng zhèng zhūwèi zìyóu
FJB
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Wed Feb 21, 2018 4:59 pm |
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Pablo
Site Supporter
Location: Everson, WA Joined: Sun Jan 6, 2013 Posts: 28191
Real Name: Ace Winky
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I don't get it. Republicans don't know anything about "the environment".
_________________ Why does the Penguin in Batman sound like a duck?
Because the eagle sounds like a hawk.
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Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:05 pm |
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Mediumrarechicken
Location: Puyallup Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2012 Posts: 9065
Real Name: Richard Fitzwelliner
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How much would it cost to turn that dumb fuck inslee into carbon?
_________________ If she sits on your face and you can still hear, SHE'S NOT FAT.
I'm going to type out 3 paragraphs and wax eloquently about a similar story in my life. Pm me if you figured it out.
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Wed Feb 21, 2018 7:10 pm |
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Caveman Jim
Site Supporter
Location: In my Cave near the Cloquallum Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 Posts: 7809
Real Name: Jim Sr.
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Mediumrarechicken wrote: How much would it cost to turn that dumb fuck inslee into carbon? About $0.35....
_________________"You are either with us...as Americans. Or, You are against us. There is no IN BETWEEN." ??? "We cannot negotiate with those who say, 'What's mine is mine, and what's yours is negotiable.'" JFK "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” -Ben Franklin MadPick wrote: I don't think you beat your children enough.
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Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:31 pm |
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MorrisWR
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Location: Sammamish Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 Posts: 480
Real Name: Murray
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I'm am sure Jim knows my stance on the whole carbon tax/global warming/climate change debate but the proposal made above I have no problem with since I think renewable energy is worth giving incentives. I have no problem with cutting pollution but taxing people so you can get more money with a scam like global warming is what bothers me. I like just saying we want to give businesses incentives to lower pollution. I doubt it will make much difference until NG, petroleum, coal, etc are cost prohibitive though (nationwide).
_________________ “If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts. Be careful, 'brethren!' Be careful, teachers!”
- Reverend King —“The Purpose of Education” from Morehouse College student newspaper, The Maroon Tiger, 1947
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Thu Feb 22, 2018 4:28 am |
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Wetpaperbag
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Location: olympia Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 Posts: 3784
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Basically this is a tax of the people, without directly taxing the people. If I remember correctly this carbon tax bill would also exempt some of the largest carbon producers in the state. Again, this is another liberal feel good bill that does nothing to address the issue whole hog, but instead is selective and mainly affects the working class. I like the idea to incentivize this. The private sector will look at ways to make money, cut costs, and increase the bottom line. If they can get some tax credits along the way for going to less fossil fuel dependency that is a win.
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Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:01 am |
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