Washington Carbon Emissions Mitigation Tax Initiative (2017)
| Washington Carbon Emissions Mitigation Tax Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 7, 2017 | |
| Topic Taxes and Energy | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The Washington Carbon Emissions Mitigation Tax Initiative was not on the ballot in Washington as an Initiative to the People, a type of initiated state statute, on November 7, 2017.
The measure would have placed a tax on carbon emissions. The tax rate would have been $15 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent on July 1, 2018. From July 1, 2019, through July 1, 2047, the tax would have increased 7 percentage points plus inflation each year. Revenue from the fee would have gone toward providing financial assistance to workers impacted by the fee increase, grants to low-income individuals, emission-reduction projects and infrastructure, and natural resources and public recreation projects.[1]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was:[1]
| “ | Initiative Measure No. 1576 concerns carbon pollution reduction.
This measure would tax certain fossil fuels and electricity sold in Washington, mandate lower greenhouse-gas emissions, assist affected workers and others, fund projects reducing emissions or protecting certain natural resources, and provide oversight. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ][2] |
” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary was:[1]
| “ | This measure would impose a carbon pollution mitigation tax on certain fossil fuels and electricity sold or used in Washington. Tax revenue would be used to mitigate impacts to affected workers and certain low-income individuals; for new emission-reduction projects addressing energy use, infrastructure, and transportation; and for projects protecting certain natural resources. The measure would mandate lower greenhouse gas emissions long-term than state law currently requires, and establish mechanisms to oversee and administer the programs.[2] | ” |
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
In Washington, the signature requirement for Initiatives to the People is equivalent to 8 percent of the votes cast for the office of governor at the last gubernatorial election.
To make the 2017 ballot, proponents of Initiatives to the People were required to submit at least 259,622 valid signatures by July 7, 2017.[3] No signatures were turned in for the initiative by the deadline.[4]
See also
- 2017 ballot measures
- Washington 2017 ballot measures
- Laws governing the initiative process in Washington
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Washington Secretary of State, "Proposed Initiatives to the People - 2017," accessed July 4, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar - 2016," accessed January 10, 2017
- ↑ Northwest Public Radio, “Election Rarity: No Initiatives Qualify For November Statewide Ballot In Washington,” July 7, 2017
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State of Washington Olympia (capital) |
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