An extraordinary letter (see below or here) from over fifty University of Washington climate scientists expresses strong support for Washington State Initiative 732, which calls for a revenue-neutral carbon tax swap. These scientists include world experts on climate change, including several members of the U.S National Academy of Sciences. No one understands better the implications of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and the need for immediate action to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
As noted in the scientists' letter, I-732 would tax carbon emissions and return all of the receipts to taxpayers, thus making it revenue neutral. The sales tax would drop by a full percent, the B&O tax on manufactures would be eliminated, and the several hundred thousand low-income families would receive a tax rebate. Thus, I-732 would make Washington State's tax system less regressive (it is the worst in the nation right now).
Economists believe that a carbon tax is one of the most effective approaches for reducing carbon emissions and has been highly successful in British Columbia. In fact a long list of economists have expressed support of the initiative. I-732 has bipartisan support and could be an example to the nation (see recent articles in USA Today and the Christian Science Monitor).
Our leading scientists and economists believe there is a compelling case for I-732, so please consider it seriously when you go into the voting booth in November. As the climate scientists note, we are running out of time for dealing with the threat of increasing greenhouse gases.
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As noted in the scientists' letter, I-732 would tax carbon emissions and return all of the receipts to taxpayers, thus making it revenue neutral. The sales tax would drop by a full percent, the B&O tax on manufactures would be eliminated, and the several hundred thousand low-income families would receive a tax rebate. Thus, I-732 would make Washington State's tax system less regressive (it is the worst in the nation right now).
Economists believe that a carbon tax is one of the most effective approaches for reducing carbon emissions and has been highly successful in British Columbia. In fact a long list of economists have expressed support of the initiative. I-732 has bipartisan support and could be an example to the nation (see recent articles in USA Today and the Christian Science Monitor).
Our leading scientists and economists believe there is a compelling case for I-732, so please consider it seriously when you go into the voting booth in November. As the climate scientists note, we are running out of time for dealing with the threat of increasing greenhouse gases.
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