UPDATED: Rallying No on 2117 volunteers in Edmonds

UPDATE

The No on 2117 campaign hosted Summer Weekend of Action events in Edmonds, Spokane, and Seattle to contact voters across Washington state. 

In Edmonds, speakers rallied at City Park Sept. 7. After a brief presentation, campaign staff and volunteers distributed leaflets and yard signs.

Speaking were State Rep. Strom Peterson; Billy Wallace, Political & Legislative Director, Washington & Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers; and Cynthia Jones, Sno-Isle Sierra Club.

Peterson noted that the campaign is a “blue-green” alliance that brings labor and environmentalists together.

“This is something that's been happening in the last couple of years in Olympia. And this is how we build community. This is how we talk to everybody in our community, by understanding the importance of the Climate Commitment Act and what it’s doing for the community.”

The “no” vote on I-2117 opposes prohibiting state agencies from implementing a cap and trade or cap and tax program and opposes repealing the 2021 act, a state law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee that provided for a cap-and-invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.

Opponents of I-2117 say it would cut by one-third the cost of state transportation funding – including construction of Washington State Ferries’ hybrid vessels – and jeopardize protections for rivers, lakes, and streams.

A "yes" vote supports prohibiting any state agencies from implementing a cap-and-trade or cap-and-tax program and repealing the Washington Climate Commitment Act. The main argument against I-2117 is that the carbon tax increases the cost of gas and energy and drives up prices for other items. Proponents say the tax added nearly 40 cents per gallon at the pump, making Washington’s fuel some of the most expensive in the state. In addition, proponents say the tax will double in just a few years.

“Environmentally, (the Climate Commitment Act) is going to do incredible things for neighborhoods that have been neglected for decades,” Peterson said.

“These monies from the Climate Commitment Act are being invested into neighborhoods that have suffered from pollution because they've been next to oil refiners, or they've been next to the highway, or they've been next to other polluters. So this isn't only about clean air and clean. It's about protecting the health of your friends and neighbors, and that is a critical part of the argument here.”

I-2117 is one of four voter initiatives primarily funded by Brian Heywood. They include prohibiting restrictions on natural gas; allowing employees and the self-employed to opt out of paying into WA Cares; and repealing the state’s capital gains tax on high earners.

“We have millionaires and billionaires who have funneled incredible amounts of money here in Washington state, and we obviously know what happens nationally when millionaires and billionaires get involved,” Peterson said.

“But that's what's happening here. We have to remember that the core of this initiative, what they wrote and what they got on the ballot, was written by a hedge fund manager who just doesn't want to pay taxes. That’s why he (filed) the (other initiatives).”

ORIGINAL STORY

The no on 2117 (www.no2117.com) campaign hosted Summer Weekend of Action events in Edmonds, Spokane, and Seattle to contact voters across Washington state. 

In Edmonds, speakers rallied at City Park Saturday, Sept. 7.

After a brief presentation, campaign staff and volunteers began handing out leaflets and yard signs.

Speaking were State Rep. Strom Peterson; Billy Wallace, Political & Legislative Director, Washington & Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers; Cynthia Jones, Sno-Isle Sierra Club.

From Ballotpedia:

A "yes" vote supports prohibiting any state agencies from implementing a cap and trade or cap and tax program and repealing the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a state law that provided for a cap and invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95% by 2050.

A "no" vote opposes prohibiting state agencies from implementing a cap and trade or cap and tax program and opposes repealing the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a state law that provided for a cap and invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95% by 2050